Ma¯ui jack-up rig hearing begins

The hearing into Shell Taranaki’s application to use a jack-up drilling rig at its Ma¯ ui gas field for the next 33 years started on Monday.

Shell Taranaki (formerly STOS) wants to use a jack-up rig to support its next drilling campaign and potential future drilling campaigns and is seeking marine consent to do so.

It also needs a consent to discharge harmful substances from drains on the rig deck during drilling.

On the first day of the Environment Protection Authority hearing, held at the Plymouth Hotel in New Plymouth, Shell Taranaki presented its case to the three hearing commissioners.

Shell Taranaki has been working the Maui Natural Gas Field for more than 37 years, counsel Rachel Devine said.

The option to use the jack-up rig will provide Shell Taranaki with operational flexibility and will enhance the efficiency of its drilling activities, she said.

They want the consents granted until June 5, 2050.

Devine said the environment involved is not sensitive or ecologically significant but the company was unable to provide a precise list of the content and quality of harmful substances that may be discharged.

The consent application received 32 submissions - 29 were against, one gave support and two were neutral.

Climate change was not considered relevant to the hearing, something Climate Justice Taranaki was not happy about.

Spokeswoman Catherine Cheung said the world was at the the tipping point of a major climate catastrophe, yet the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf Act and the RMA did not allow the consideration of climate change in decision making.

‘‘This is absurd. The law must, and ultimately will change.

‘‘Shell has not done any proper assessment of the cumulative effects on the environment and viability of threatened species, should the proposals get approved. Shell’s analysis has been far too narrow.’’

"This is absurd. The law must, and ultimately will change."

Catherine Cheung