Well plan ‘slap in face’

New Plymouth: An energy watchdog says Todd Energy's plans to drill new onshore gas wells in Tikorangi, north of New Plymouth, makes a mockery of the Government's declaration of a climate emergency.

Climate Justice Taranaki researcher Catherine Cheung said at a recent community meeting the company said it wanted to drill 24 new wells at its Mangahewa C and D well sites.

``Todd's proposal to expand the two wellsites and drill two dozen new wells is a slap in the face to everyone who is committed to reducing our own carbon footprint to alleviate the impacts of climate chaos.''

In a statement, a Todd Energy spokesman said the company was planning to drill only two wells in the Mangahewa field in 2021, at the G site.

``The 24 wells that referred to by Climate Justice is a proposed future development that . . . if approved would take place over a 10year plus time horizon.’’ — RNZ