December 2020

Launch of 'Energy for Better Lives'

PEPANZ has released our latest publication this week highlighting the policy choices ahead in the wider energy sector.

'Energy for better lives: choices and pathways as we transition' sets out our suggested principles and policies that can help deliver affordable, reliable and sustainable energy. This in turn will help create a more prosperous and sustainable New Zealand.

Some of our suggestions include:

Flexibility for existing production and exploration permits
RMA reform
A comprehensive ETS applying to all sectors and gases.

Read the new report

See the full list of Ministers and portfolios

Political update

New Ministers and spokespeople have now been confirmed following the October election. Some of the key appointments for the wider energy sector include:

Ministers

Megan Woods continues with the Energy and Resources portfolio.
David Parker and James Shaw continue as Ministers for the Environment and Climate Change respectively.
New Ministers are Kiri Allan (Conservation) and Stuart Nash (Economic and Regional Development).

Other parties

Taranaki-King Country MP Barbara Kuriger is National's Energy and Resources spokesperson
New ACT MP Simon Court is their spokesperson for energy and resources, climate change and environment.
The Maori Party now has two MPs including Debbie Ngarewa-Packer from Taranaki

The PEPANZ team has written to and/or met in person with nearly all of these key people and look forward to building good relationships with them all.

Industry news

*Maui in-fill drilling: OMV is working towards a potential campaign at the Maui field in 2022 to extend the life of the field.

*Beach Energy is no longer planning to drill the Wherry prospect off the coast of the South Island in 2021.

*FPSO Umuroa: the Government has agreed to pay for this vessel to be demobilised and disconnected from the Tui Oil Field.

*Genesis Energy: is reviewing whether to keep its 46% ownership of the Kupe oil and gas field. A final decision is expected mid next year.

*Offshore fields: production from the Pohokura and Kupe fields is set to fall next year according to the respective operators.

Finalists unveiled for 2021 Energy Excellence Awards

Finalists for the 2021 Energy Excellence Awards have been announced with a number of PEPANZ members in the running.

OMV's repair work on the Pohokura pipeline has been nominated in two categories - Innovation in Energy and Network Initiative of the Year. Juliet Oliver from Todd Energy has also been nominated for Young Energy Professional of the Year.

PEPANZ is proud to once again sponsor the Community Initiative of the Year award where the nominees include Energise Otaki (Community Owned Solar Farm), Genesis Energy (Matawhaanui Board: POU Ltd Partnership) and Methanex (Strengthening hapu relationships).

2020: The year in numbers

Next week is PEPANZ's end of year function and we thought it was worth looking back on some of our highlights from 2020:

11 submissions to Government
130 mentions in media articles
26 press releases and four opinion pieces
Five member and stakeholder events
Three million appearances on social media for our educational campaign Energy Voices
Improved public support for the industry (from our annual survey)
Hundreds of meetings and presentations with politicians, officials and stakeholders.

Thank you to everyone for your support and engagement this year. Have a great holiday break and here's hoping 2021 is better than 2020!

-The PEPANZ team

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