Issue 34 – December 2011

The use of Standards in the gas industry ensures that products suit the New Zealand environment and provides an assurance of safety and quality. There are also many documents on the supply, storage, and use of various fuels. We spoke to Peter Gilbert, Executive Director of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of New Zealand and Chair of the New Zealand Gas Sector Board, about the value of standardisation in the gas industry.

'Standards cover all aspects of the gas industry,' says Peter. 'There are Standards for the gas distribution network, gasfitting, gas appliances, gas equipment, gas metering, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) quality, natural gas quality, and LPG in caravans and boats. These Standards are vital for the gas and LPG industries.

'Standards set the way we do things in the industry. Being performance based, Standards outline what it is we need to achieve and how to achieve it. They provide the safe way to manufacture and install gas appliances, run distribution pipes, and put meters in, and they set the specifications for natural gas and LPG. Most of these Standards are referenced in legislation and regulations as a way to meet safety requirements and comply with the law.'

A broad cross-section of industry representatives, working together

Peter says Standards are central to all gasfitting, whether natural gas or LPG. He is a staunch advocate of standardisation and says that the Standards development process is valuable and ensures that industry works together when developing Standards.

Reinforcing the importance of working together was the recent 'Gas New Zealand forum' in Wairakei in October 2011. The forum included, for the first time, the LPG Association (LPGA), the Gas Association of New Zealand, and the New Zealand Institute of Gas Engineers.

'The forum appealed to a broad cross-section of gas industry participants and 140 people attended, whereas in the past 80 people attended the LPG forum', says Peter. 'The forum also brought together a wider range of topics than previously and, more importantly, it allowed networking among a broader range of people.'

The latest information on gas and LPG in New Zealand – gas industry forum presentations

The Gas New Zealand forum presentations covered gas industry issues (including Standards), the delivery of technical papers, and a technical workshop. Peter highlights two presentations from speakers at the forum: John Kidd and Steve Bielby.

• John Kidd, Head of research for McDouall Stuart, spoke on 'The big picture: Gas and LPG in New Zealand's equation'. He focused on how unconventional gas finds are becoming far more conventional, as seen in the US, with more gas coming on stream and prices falling dramatically. John believes New Zealand has great potential and sees a future where, in 5 years, unconventional gas will be readily available and prices will continue to fall.
  
  
• Steve Bielby, Chief Executive of the Gas Industry Company Limited, looked at 'LPG and the New Zealand gas story'. He gave insight into where the industry is likely to be by 2030. He focused on three scenarios for the future: slow decline, medium pick up, and back where we once were. Steve believes the industry needs to find more, cheaper, gas and it needs to increase its marketing objectives.

Supporting Standards for the New Zealand gas industry for 20 years

Peter started his career at British Gas and worked in the UK gas industry for 20 years. When he came to New Zealand, his vast knowledge of the legislative and regulatory considerations for natural gas and LPG proved invaluable in developing New Zealand Standards. He has helped develop gas Standards for over 20 years and has been a member of six development committees (and Chair of two of these committees).

Peter is currently involved with Standards as follows:

• member of the New Zealand gas appliance Standards committee that recently published NZS/AS 3645.1(Int):2010 Essential requirements for gas equipment – Part 1: Essential safety and NZS/AS 3645.2(Int):2010 Essential requirements for gas equipment – Part 2: Certification
• member of the ME Committee for AS/NZS 1596:2008 The storage and handling of LP Gas
• the New Zealand representative on the joint AG-006 'Gas installations' committee
• Chair of the New Zealand Gas Sector Board, an advisory group to Standards New Zealand, which provides strategic input into Standards development prioritisation and issues
• in addition, the LPGA has representatives on the joint AG-006 committee and the joint AG-013 'Components used for gas appliances and equipment' committee.

In 2008, Peter won a Standards New Zealand 'Meritorious Service Award'. The award recognised his support of Standards, his knowledge and expertise, and his focus on the safe and efficient use of LPG. Peter says it was heartening for his work on Standards to be recognised in this way.

→ Download John Kidd's Gas industry forum presentation, 'The big picture: Gas & LPG in New Zealand's equation' (www.lpga.co.nz/pdfs/John-Kidd-Gas-and-LPG-in-the-NZ-energy-equation.pdf).

→ Download Steve Bielby's Gas industry forum presentation, 'LPG and the New Zealand gas story' (www.lpga.co.nz/pdfs/Steve-Bielby-The-NZ-Gas-Story.pdf).

→ Other presentations made at the Gas New Zealand forum can be downloaded here (www.lpga.co.nz/newsIndustry.php).

Related articles

• How Standards help businesses – New Zealand standardisation stories, Standards New Zealand website, 21 November 2011
• 2011 amendments for gas and electricity regulations – changes to cited Standards, Touchstone, November 2011
• Safety verification of existing gas installations – Interim Standard published, Touchstone, September 2011
• Safety of gas appliances – interim Standard published, Touchstone, August 2011
• Plan for gas in Christchurch rebuild, Touchstone, June 2011
• Promoting the benefits of natural gas – new 'gas hub', Touchstone, April 2011
• Gas installation – two Standards published, Touchstone, February 2011