Story: Energy supply and use

Clearing the line (3rd of 3)

Clearing the line

‘Flaring’, burning off the last of the coal gas, was required before natural gas could flow through to consumers. The colour of the flame changed once all the coal gas was burnt off and the natural gas was burning. The job required some skill, and due to a shortage of trained technicians it took longer than expected to clear all the pipes of coal gas.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1971/1477/24

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Megan Cook, 'Energy supply and use - Natural gas', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/21462/clearing-the-line (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Megan Cook, published 11 Mar 2010