March 2021
PEPANZ is now 'Energy Resources Aotearoa'
This week marks the beginning of a new era: PEPANZ has officially changed its name to 'Energy Resources Aotearoa' to reflect a new and broader strategic approach.
This reflects our move beyond solely representing upstream oil and natural gas providers to being the voice of a successful and sustainable energy resources sector, including producers, users and distributors.
Our strategic focus is the best possible outcome for New Zealand by leading a conversation about balance in the energy mix - affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
Our vision is a successful and sustainable energy resources sector that makes New Zealand a better place, through and beyond the transition to lower emissions.
The change follows a year-long process of consulting with members and stakeholders in the energy sector.
New Chair and Deputy for Energy Resources Aotearoa
Todd Energy chief executive Mark Macfarlane is the new Chair of Energy Resources Aotearoa, replacing Dr Joanna Breare in both roles following her retirement.
“I’m looking forward to this new role and supporting the work of Energy Resources Aotearoa," says Mark (pictured right).
"It's an exciting time for the organisation with a new name and strategic approach."
Mark has a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Melbourne, and has held technical and leadership roles in Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe with Exxon, Santos, GLNG and Tullow Oil.
Nick Jackson (pictured right middle) from Elemental Group has been elected Deputy Chair, and new Board member Henrik Mosser (pictured bottom right) replaces Gabriel Selischi as OMV's representative.
End of an era as frontier exploration ends
New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) has surrendered it's last exploration permit in the Great South Basin, the final remaining permit outside of Taranaki.
NZOG chief executive Andrew Jefferies said the decision was due to a 'confluence of events' including adverse regulatory settings, a recent dry well near Otago and costs resulting from Covid-19.
“Over the years we have developed many relationships with the South Island community and Iwi. I am disappointed that we were unable to deliver an outcome that would have economically benefited the people of Otago and Southland, discovering the North Sea of the South.”
The news is disappointing but not surprising, according to Energy Resource Aotearoa's chief executive John Carnegie.
“New Zealand was once considered a top frontier destination for exploration and development but is no longer seen as a place to invest.
“We are now heavily dependent on development and production in Taranaki, given the absence of affordable and realistic alternative fuel sources to natural gas."
Climate Change Commission meets with Energy Resources members
Chair of the Climate Change Commission Dr Rod Carr held an exclusive roundtable with PEPANZ (as it was known at the time) members last week following our AGM.
Members queried and discussed the economic modelling behind the Commission's draft recommendations, the role of carbon capture and storage, the ETS, and the proposed ban on new gas connections, amongst other issues.
Thank you to Dr Carr and his team for a thoughtful and detailed discussion on these crucial issues.
Strong public support for local oil and gas industry
The public’s view towards New Zealand’s oil and gas industry has substantially improved over the last three years, according to our latest survey.
The UMR survey of 1,165 respondents was conducted in late 2020. Some of the key findings include:
- Around a quarter (24%) of respondents had a favourable opinion of the oil and gas industry, up from 21% last year and the highest on record since the survey began in March 2016.
- A major decline in people with an unfavourable view of the industry (halved from 32% in 2017 to just 16%).
- 68% agree it is better to produce natural gas here in New Zealand rather than import it.
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