• Full Story

Oil industry beefs up for political fight

Email
Print

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 4:15p.m.

Greenpeace and other environmental groups are actively organising against deep-sea drilling and fracking

Greenpeace and other environmental groups are actively organising against deep-sea drilling and fracking

The New Zealand oil and gas industry has announced the appointment of a new chief executive and a quadrupled budget as it prepares to fight harder for the industry in the face of growing opposition to unconventional oil exploration, such as deep-sea drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

The initiatives came from a strategic review last year of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand and will see its budget swell from around $250,000 a year to around $1 million.

The revamped PEPANZ will also be governed by a board composed of the most senior representatives of oil and gas company players in New Zealand, mostly chief executives, whereas its previous governance involved a hands-on committee of second-tier managers.

To emphasise the importance of the change, members of the new board will be prohibited from sending alternates to board meetings.

PEPANZ has also appointed a chief executive for the first time, naming former Z Energy commercial manager David Robinson to take the helm, assisted by its long-time executive officer, John Pfahlert.

Further staff appointments will also be made to improve PEPANZ's capacity as a lobbyist and industry monitor.

Monday's announcements followed weekend controversy stirred by the Canadian oil explorer, TAG Oil, which has told investors in North America that its untested east coast North Island exploration programme could reveal a "Texas of the South".

However, its partner in the programme, fellow Canadian Apache Oil, appears less gung-ho and was critical of TAG in an article in The Listener magazine examining the hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", issue.

Greenpeace and other environmental groups are actively organising against deep-sea drilling and fracking, as well as opposing coal mining proposals on the West Coast and in Southland, arguing they pose greater environmental threats than economic benefits

Robinson said in a statement the level of current investment in New Zealand's oil and gas industry was "insufficient" to sustain the current 3,370 full time jobs and its $1.9 billion direct annual contribution to the New Zealand economy.

NZN

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

09 Feb 2012 08:42p.m.

Chris wrote:

Robbie, I too appreciate the notion that everyone has the right to an opinion, however informed opinions are those best shared. NZ is in a strong and unique position to develop a cleantech industry in order to further the economic foundations of our agricultural, renewable energy and tourism sectors. NZ is fortunate enough to possess a natural environment that makes all of this possible.

Why should NZ attempt to imitate other nations in their desire to derive short-term economic prosperity when a uniquely sustainable opportunity for NZ exists (given a willing political climate) to develop economic, environmental and social prosperity?

The following articles should provide you with an insight to the factual alternatives available to NZ:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/innovation/6382849/Is-cleantech-New-Zealands-way-forward

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/business/innovation/5973667/Millionaires-push-for-green-economy

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/6368419/NZ-can-lead-the-world-into-a-low-carbon-era

17 Jan 2012 02:05p.m.

robbie wrote:

vicki, I fully appreciate every one has a right to an opinion. But how come all 'knockers' only give an opinion and never a solution. Great so you (and 1,000's like you) want no oil or mineral exploration or extraction. Then give all the rest of us an economic alternative/solution that will see; job growth; increase in government revenue; opportunity to balance the books; the generation of more disposable income for all - all this during the current international economic crisis. Now, I don't want untested pie in the sky dreams - give us ALL some factual alternatives that will give NZ the economic imputus it needs and deserves to progress for the future of our young and tallanted.

16 Jan 2012 06:43p.m.

vicki wrote:

There is no economic argument that can justify turning our country into the "southern gulf". If you are a true kiwi then you will join hands with me and oppose the destruction of our beautiful Aotearoa because folks they will stay here pillaging until they take every last drop.