Energy activists slam drilling programme
A new onshore drilling programme in north Taranaki that hopes to secure longterm natural gas supply for New Zealand has been criticised by energy activists.
Todd Energy plans to use its ‘‘Big Ben’’ rig to drill two wells at various depths near the Otaraoa Rd Mangahewa G site, inland from Waitara.
The company intended to find a secure supply of natural gas for the national economy, a spokeswoman said.
Resource consents have been granted to begin the programme in January, and it should be completed by the second quarter of 2021.
Energy activist group Climate Justice Taranaki criticised Todd Energy’s drilling programme.
In a media release, group spokeswoman Catherine Cheung claimed the company planned to drill 24 wells at two sites.
However, a Todd spokeswoman confirmed only two wells, not 24, will be drilled.
Cheung said the drilling programme was a ‘‘slap in the face’’ to reducing carbon footprint.
‘‘What’s the point of declaring a climate emergency if a company can keep drilling and burning more climate wrecking fossil fuels?’’ she said in a statement.
‘‘Being in the thick of a climate emergency means that we must deal with the causes and impacts of the emergency seriously and urgently.’’
Cheung said New Zealand should be looking at ways to reduce demand for fossil fuel, rather than drilling or mining for more. ‘‘There is much to gain by innovating and redesigning our society with the key focus on wellbeing for people and the environment in the long term.’’
Todd Energy did not respond to the energy activist group’s comments.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment estimated declining natural gas resources from the offshore Pohokura and Maui wells will last another decade, and imported gas will need to be used instead.
Gross annual production of natural gas in 2019 from Pohokura, Mangahewa and Maui fields was 66 per cent of total national production.
Natural gas is used extensively to produce methanol at Methanex’s Motonui site, electricity generation, and in the dairy industry.
A climate emergency was declared by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in December 2020 to meet the country’s international obligations to cut carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030.
Under the Zero Carbon Act the Government will begin to reduce emissions in the public sector by seven per cent by 2025.