Natural gas vehicles go global

The International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV) has undergone a structural and image overhaul in preparation for the anticipated significant and rapid growth in the uptake of natural gas vehicles over the next ten years.

The organisation has been re-branded NGV Global to better reflect the association’s mandate.

Newly elected Chairman Gabriele Gozzi said “The industry is expecting rapid growth in the next ten years so the Association needs to present itself as a dynamic organisation, ready to respond to the industry’s needs. With the new structure in place, we now have that.”

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Membership rules have also been relaxed to encourage membership of regional and national natural gas vehicle associations around the world.

Intelligent drivers choose SmartGas

Melbourne-based company OES CNG has opened its first public access compressed natural gas (CNG) re-fuelling station in Victoria, marketing its fuel as OES CNG SmartGas.

The station in Aspendale Gardens is the only public CNG station in Victoria and may be followed by another five CNG service stations in the state during the next 12 months.

The gas is being sold for $0.72 per kilogram, equivalent to $0.50 per litre for petrol.

Orbital commences work on LNG engines

Orbital Corporation has commenced work on a multi-phase LNG engine management systems development contract from Mitchell Corp Australia.

Orbital will provide engine management expertise and development support to significantly improve the natural gas substitution rate on Mitchell’s existing LNG truck fleet.

Orbital Chief Executive Officer Terry Stinson said “The use of LNG in transport reduces the level of harmful greenhouse gas emissions, is less expensive and will complement Western Australia’s growing natural gas industry.

“This opportunity has the potential to create a local Australian based industry that can provide natural gas alternatives to the transport industry and has the potential for expansion in domestic and export LNG transport markets,” said Mr Stinson.

L&M investigates fuelling trucks with LNG

L&M Energy has signed an agreement with New Zealand trucking company HW Richardson Group to investigate the feasibility of developing small-scale LNG projects in New Zealand.

The company said that it will begin the feasibility study with an investigation into the potential for a project utilising gas from L&M’s coal seam gas asset near Ohai, in Southland, which has 173 PJ of 3P reserves.

HW Richardson Group is one of New Zealand’s largest trucking companies, and distributes fuel through its subsidiary Allied Petroleum.

HW Richardson Group Managing Director Scott O’Donnell said “We believe that there are a number of natural synergies between our companies, and we intend to investigate these synergies further. The most immediate opportunity before us is the potential to develop L&M’s Ohai Coal Seam Gas into LNG for use as an environmentally friendly transport fuel.”