Shares of Contact Energy (ASX:CEN,NZE:CEN) and Meridian Energy (ASX:MEZ, NZE:MEL) fell nearly 1% Friday, while Genesis Energy (ASX:GNE, NZE:GNE), and Mercury NZ (ASX:MCY, NZE:MCY) were flat after energy group Clarus said Thursday that it partnered with the companies to commission two studies between September 2024 and May to explore the feasibility of importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The studies assessed both large- and small-scale import options, and findings indicate LNG imports are technically viable, albeit more complex than initially expected, Clarus said.

Conventional-scale LNG offers flexibility at a landed cost of NZ$18 per gigajoule (GJ) but requires major infrastructure investment of up to NZ$1 billion, Clarus added.

Smaller-scale options using existing ports are faster and cheaper to build, but are more expensive per unit at NZ$20 to NZ$21 per GJ.