February 2018
Public survey shows broad support for industry
A public opinion survey commissioned by PEPANZ has found 60% of respondents have either a favourable or neutral view of the oil and gas industry, with less than a third having an unfavourable view.
The UMR survey of 1000 respondents was conducted in December 2017 and will help focus our communication efforts this year towards the right audiences and messages. Some of the key findings include:
- Knowledge: respondents who knew ‘a lot’ or ‘fair amount’ about the industry was 29%, an 8% increase from March 2016. By far the biggest increase was in Canterbury (37% - up from 16%).
- Importance: 47% or respondents believe the New Zealand oil and gas industry is important to the economy.
- Favourability: 19% reported a favourable opinion of the industry, 41% neutral and 32% unfavourable.
PEPANZ Hall of Fame voting now open
Voting is now open for the PEPANZ Hall of Fame with the winner to be announced at the Petroleum Conference in March.
Every year one individual is admitted to the Hall of Fame to honour a lifetime of achievement. Previous winners of the Hall of Fame award include Ian Browning (2012), Peter Vause (2013), Barry Dineen (2014), Sir John Todd (2015), Richard Tweedie (2016) and Dennis Washer (2017).
The four nominees for 2018 are:
- Tom Haskell
- Rob Jager
- Harvey Weake
- Paul Zealand
PEPANZ members are encouraged to vote at the link below:
Blue whale survey raises questions
A NIWA survey of blue whales over the summer around South Taranaki faced an interesting challenge - they struggled to find any at all, thanks to warmer water this summer.
The study (also supported by OMV) eventually had to to travel down to the South Island’s West Coast to find any.
We think we need more research like this to develop a whole network of marine protection around the country based on good science, rather than picking ad-hoc areas.
Meet PEPANZ's new Policy Manager
Welcome aboard to Joshua O'Rourke, PEPANZ's new Policy Manager.
Josh leads PEPANZ’s policy programme, working with members and other stakeholders to promote policies that are fair and reasonable for the oil and gas sector.
Previously Josh worked on petroleum policy at the Ministry for the Environment, the Environmental Protection Authority, and at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Josh also developed a sound understanding of local planning issues from time working for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
He joins PEPANZ most recently from Straterra, the industry association for the New Zealand minerals sector.
Shell supports Canterbury students in eco-marathon
Shell NZ is once again supporting a University of Canterbury team in their challenge to find the most energy efficient car.
The Shell Eco-Marathon brings together young innovators from all over the world to stimulate ideas about meeting the world’s energy needs in a responsible way.
The engine and one-person car will compete in the 2018 Shell Eco-marathon Asia in Singapore (March 8-11) – a global event that attracts over 100 teams from tertiary institutes around the Asia-Pacific region. The goal is not to break speed records or be the first to finish; the focus is on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
This year the team have achieved another world first by powering the car with a 3D printed titanium engine.
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