Govt urged to reject oil permit extension
GREENPEACE and the Green Party are pleading with the Government to reject a bid to extend oil exploration permits for the Great South Basin.
Austrian oil giant OMV wants another two years to look for oil in an area southeast of Dunedin.
Energy Minister Megan Woods said the decision was not hers to make and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) would have the final say on the request.
A Greenpeace Official Information Act request revealed the OMV request for an extension to its 12year commitment, due to run out by July 11 next year.
‘‘The main reason is new information that may enable OMV to become significantly better informed about the underlying geology before commencing drilling under the work programme. This reduces the pros pect of unnecessary drilling taking place,’’ the company said in a letter to officials.
Green Party energy spokesman Gareth Hughes urged Ms Woods not to give OMV ‘‘special treatment’’.
‘‘We’d be concerned if oil companies are trying to use a back door to gain new permits under the guise of an extension, given the Government’s policy on no new exploration.’’
Greenpeace Climate Campaigner Kate Simcock said OMV would ‘‘test the Government’s commitment to action on climate change by demanding more time to drill for oil.’’
A spokesman for Dr Woods said OMV’s request was a ‘‘statutory decision’’, delegated to MBIE. — NZME
ENVIRONMENTALISTS will welcome Rainbow Warrior into Dunedin by boat, bike and feet this weekend to oppose offshore drilling in Southern waters.
The Greenpeace ship is expected to anchor off Otago Peninsula today and dock at Port Chalmers about noon on Saturday.
Activist groups are organising a demonstration at Back Beach at noon on Saturday, objecting to the potential of oil and gas drilling in the Great South Basin.
While the Government banned new offshore oil and gas exploration licences in April, Austrian company OMV previously acquired a permit for work in the basin.
The next day the ship will hold a public open day.
Oil Free Otago member Geoff Wigley said the event was about gathering people who were interested in ‘‘climate change resilience’’ or wanted to learn about it.
Greenpeace climate campaigner Kate Simcock said the ship was touring the country to celebrate the Government’s offshore drilling ban and promote clean energy.
‘‘We’re turning up to both recognise the part the community has played in the last eight years in achieving the big national win we’ve got, but also recognising the work we still have to keep doing.’’
The ship has also stopped in Auckland, Whangaparaoa, Napier, Wellington, Taranaki and Kaikoura.
It is a replica of the original, which was bombed in Auckland in 1985 by the French Secret Service.