The start of the Block Offer 2017 process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits has been announced by Energy and Resources minister Simon Bridges.
Consultation with iwi begins now and will begin with local authorities from October 17 in the areas being proposed for onshore and offshore exploration.
“This is an important first step in the Block Offer process,” Bridges says. “Feedback from iwi and local authorities ensures that any areas of sensitivity are identified and carefully considered before the tender round is finalised.”
Schedule 4 areas (including national parks and marine reserves) and World Heritage sites are excluded from the Block Offer process.
Consultation will take place on four proposed offshore areas, one proposed offshore/onshore area, and two proposed onshore areas, covering a total area of around 508,691 square kilometres.
“Since the government adopted the annual Block Offer approach in 2012 we have attracted multiple experienced and capable operators to explore New Zealand’s potential.”
Bridges “acknowledges” the challenging low oil-price environment that industry is currently facing but we know commodity prices are cyclical. “The government remains committed to providing a stable and predictable regime.”
The consultation period for Block Offer 2017 runs until 18 November 2016, with the final tender area due to be announced in March next year.
However, the Green Party says the Block Offer will open up another half a million square kilometres of ocean to mining and oil drilling, including part of the critically endangered Maui’s dolphin marine sanctuary.
Some 4,000 sq km of the Maui’s dolphin sanctuary – roughly a third of its total area – is up for grabs by oil and mining companies, the party insists.
“Opening up another half a million square kilometres to mining smacks of desperation from a government that doesn’t know how to build a sustainable, 21st century economy,” claims Green Party energy and resources spokesperson Gareth Hughes.
“With just 55 Maui’s dolphins left, it is hugely irresponsible to offer drilling permits in a third of the sanctuary where they live.
He says if more mining is the answer, then National is asking the wrong questions.
“The Greens in government will promote transformative clean energy projects to end reliance on the fossil fuels that cause climate change, not oversee desperate attempts to dig more up,” Hughes says.
Image copyright: <a href=’http://www.123rf.com/profile_altinosmanaj’>altinosmanaj / 123RF Stock Photo</a>
