Enhancing Australia’s energy security and sustainability: the case for domestic hydrocarbon fuel production from natural gas

Australia’s heavy reliance on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products poses critical challenges to energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability. A strategic shift toward domestic fuel production using locally sourced natural gas through advanced Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) technology presents a viable alternative. GTL fuels offer superior quality, lower lifecycle CO2 emissions, and enhanced economic value while reducing dependence on volatile global supply chains. This study compares the lifecycle emissions of domestically produced GTL fuels with imported refined fuels and explores the potential for renewable energy integration to further minimize environmental impact. Additionally, it critiques the current policy of widespread importation of smaller vehicles, arguing for the prioritization of robust, fuel-efficient vehicles better suited to Australian conditions. Findings suggest that a transition to domestic fuel production, combined with strategic energy policies, can align environmental goals with national interests. Such an approach not only strengthens Australia’s energy independence but also challenges the enduring colonial economic structures embedded in its current fuel strategies.