September 2018
Legislative changes to CMA imminent
This month is likely to see the Government announce legislative changes to the Crown Minerals Act (CMA) to give effect to the April 12 decision to cease issuing new offshore exploration permits.
Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has told Parliament “there will be a Block Offer 2018 that will be initiated,” referring to onshore Taranaki. However formal requests for onshore bids have not been issued yet and this will likely need to happen this month to meet the end-of-year deadline.
It is likely the CMA will need to be amended before this to ensure the decision is consistent with the law. PEPANZ will keep members informed on any developments.
PEPANZ members event: political forum in New Plymouth
Thanks to everyone who attended our Political Forum in New Plymouth last week. We enjoyed a night of lively discussion with Colin James and David Farrar, two of New Zealand's leading political commentators.
Some of the big issues we covered were the state of politics in New Zealand and around the world, the Trump White House, the decision not to offer any new offshore oil and gas exploration permits and the likely outcomes of the 2020 election(s).
Both speakers have kindly made their presentations available to PEPANZ members via Dropbox at the links below.
OMV wins big at Deloitte Energy Awards
Congratulations to OMV New Zealand for scooping the Innovation in Energy Award at the 2018 Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards last month.
The award recognised the remarkable repairs made to the Maari Wellhead Platform in 2016. Careful safety management allowed temporary repair by divers without needing to mobilise expensive repair vessels from Asia.
PEPANZ sponsors the Community Initiative of the Year which was won by New Zealand Aluminium Smelter for their partnership with Southland Girls High School.
Productivity Commission releases low-emissions report
The Productivity Commission has released it's final report into a low-emissions economy with a key recommendation for New Zealand to "stop burning fossil fuels and switch to using electricity and other low-emission energy sources."
It also recommends a reform of the ETS, greatly increased afforestation, major changes to farming and support for electric vehicles.
PEPANZ has publicly responded, saying the focus needs to be on lowering net emissions rather than favouring certain energy sources.
“It also shows there are potentially very large costs to New Zealanders which reinforces the need to carefully weigh up the costs and benefits of policies, and who will bear those costs,” says PEPANZ CEO Cameron Madgwick.
Hinu i te ora o ia rā: Oil in everyday life
To celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week), PEPANZ has published a new poster showing the many everyday uses of petroleum products in te reo Māori.
The poster was originally created by the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) and has been translated into a number of languages around the world.
LEVEL 6, 5 Willeston Street, Dell EMC Building, Wellington
PO Box 25259, Wellington 6146
