The report – by the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, (APPEA) – found that the sector’s greenhouse performance indicator (tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions produced per tonne of product) dropped nearly 3% in 2006 compared to 2005.

“This comes during a year when Australia’s liquids production rose by 12% and liquefied natural gas exports by over 24%,” APPEA’s chief executive Belinda Robinson said.

She said the findings highlighted the role Australia’s vast natural gas resources could play in making immediate reductions in the region’s emissions.

“Add to this outcome the significant domestic and global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and water use benefits associated with natural gas – gas-fired power stations produces 50-70% less greenhouse gas emissions than equivalent coal-fired power stations and can use as little as 1% of the water – and the vital role of Australia’s enormous natural gas endowments in offering huge opportunities in an environment of growing demand for cleaner energy is clear,” Robinson said.

The full APPEA 2006 Greenhouse Challenge Plus Progress Report, which is the 11th produced by APPEA since it became an original signatory to the Greenhouse Challenge Plus Programme in 1996, is available at www.appea.com.au.