The end of offshore oil and gas exploration in NZ was hard won – but it remains politically fragile

The permit was eventually granted because the application was lodged just before the government’s 2018 offshore exploration ban was in place.

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The ConversationThe Conversation
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https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-offshore-oil-and-gas-exploration-in-nz-was-hard-won-but-it-remains-politically-fragile-203396https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-offshore-oil-and-gas-exploration-in-nz-was-hard-won-but-it-remains-politically-fragile-203396
Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
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University of Melbourne, Crown Minerals Act 1991, Rena, Industry, Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand, Petrobras, Policy, United Nations Convention, Anadarko, High court, Energy, Oil Free Wellington, Orientation, Sale, Sea, Government, Climate change, United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Melbourne University Publishing, Time, Gulf of Mexico, Risk, National Party, Natural gas, Economic development, EEZ, Bay, Coal mining, Ministry of Economic Development (New Zealand), Environment, News, Legislation, Exploration, Renewable energy, Mining, Risk management, Petroleum, Whaling, Deepwater Horizon, Hope, Aotearoa
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AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND
Summary
Key Points: 
  • The permit was eventually granted because the application was lodged just before the government’s 2018 offshore exploration ban was in place.
  • The High Court ruled it should therefore have been considered under the previous system.
  • Between 2008 and 2017, Aotearoa New Zealand’s offshore environment was opened up for further oil and gas exploration on the promise of economic growth and energy independence.

Deep Water Horizon and the Rena

    • Read more:
      The Bay of Plenty oil spill: loading the dice against disaster

      First, the Rena disaster occurred in Tauranga, off the east coast of the North Island.

    • The Rena was a container ship that ran aground on the Ōtāiti/Astrolabe reef in October 2011 while on its way into Tauranga Harbour.
    • The second event, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, sensitised the public to the risks of offshore oil extraction.

Petrobras and the Raukūmara Basin

    • Petrobras had secured a five-year permit to explore for oil and gas under block offers released in 2010.
    • Nevertheless, Petrobras informed Te Whānau-ā-Apanui that they would begin their seismic survey work in early 2011 and began work in April using the large survey vessel, the Orient Explorer.
    • Read more:
      Why New Zealand should not explore for more natural gas reserves

      Opposition to Petrobras began quickly both onshore and offshore, demanding “no drill, no spill”.

The ‘Andarko amendment’

    • It was also a silent partner to the Deep Water Horizon rig responsible for the massive spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
    • The Minister for Energy and Resources at the time said the protesters shouldn’t be trying to stop other people going about their lawful business.

Change and uncertainty

    • This is an edited extract from Stopping Oil: Climate Justice and Hope by Sophie Bond, Amanda Thomas and Gradon Diprose (Melbourne University Press).
    • Amanda Thomas has recevied funding from Deep South National Science challenge in the past to research community responses to climate change.
    • Gradon Diprose has received funding from Deep South National Science Challenge to research adaptation to climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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