Marine discharge consent granted for OMV drilling

Oil and gas exploration company OMV has gained marine resource consent to discharge harmful substances during a multi-well drilling programme off the Taranaki coast.

The Austria-based company was given the go ahead by the Environmental Protection Authority for 11 wells at five petroleum exploration permit (PEP) areas in the Taranaki Basin until December 2025.

The authority found the discharge of substances, which include caustic soda, lime, lubricants and water-based drilling mud, would have a negligible effect on the marine environment, and any adverse effects would be temporary.

The overall effects on the marine environment in the five PEPs – Ridgeline, Cloudy Bay, Toutouwai, Te Whatu and Cascade – was negligible and the consent would ensure any adverse effects would be appropriately managed, the authority said.

Fishing is prohibited within 500m of the wells, which would reduce any chance of contaminated seafood being eaten by humans.

The authority found there was no risk to the habitat of any threatened species in the Taranaki Basin.

OMV plan to start drilling in December/January using the COSL Prospector rig which has been idle since Tamarind Resources postponed its own drilling programme in September.

OMV Australasia senior vicepresident Gabriel Selischi said the company welcomed the granting of a marine discharge consent for planned exploration wells in the Taranaki Basin.

‘‘It shows the company had met the stringent criteria required,’’ he said.

Under the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Act OMV had to show the EPA it had the systems and processes in place to manage discharges of harmful substances into the marine environment associated with the exploration drilling programme, he said.

The marine discharge consent provides OMV with the necessary approvals to undertake the drilling programme in a safe manner in accordance with the EEZ Act requirements.

OMV New Zealand undertook comprehensive environmental surveys as part of the consent application process, he said.

The total permitted area covered 8960 square kilometres, and each well is estimated to take 90 days to drill.