Southern
Community Panel
What is New Zealand Oil & Gas’ policy position relating to renewable energy?
Response from New Zealand Oil & Gas:
New Zealand Oil & Gas supports the move to renewable energy as an important response to global energy demand. There is no question that the world will reduce emissions of carbon from fossil fuels. Natural gas is essential to this transition because it is a clean, abundant and economic alternative to coal.
Switching from coal to gas is one of the most effective ways the global economy can reduce carbon emissions. Under current technology and economics, renewable energy sources require support from a flexible, affordable and abundant source. Natural gas fits the bill and helps to make the transition to renewables that will take place over coming decades. The transition to low carbon forms of energy will take decades, while new technologies are developed that don’t currently exist yet and the costs of new energy sources fall to levels that make them realistic replacements in the energy mix. We need to provide for our current energy needs during this transition. With appropriate policy settings, the oil and gas industry in New Zealand can continue to develop, making an increasing contribution to our economy consistently with global carbon-reduction initiatives.
Our expertise is in petrochemical exploration and production, and while we support our peers delivering renewable energy in to the world’s energy mix, our production is also essential. During the transition the question for New Zealand is whether New Zealanders go overseas to help produce fuels for the benefit of others and for New Zealand to import, or whether we use own resources in a responsible and ethical way that New Zealanders can support, for the benefit of New Zealanders.
Do drilling permits expire if not activated?
Permits are issued by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, and do expire if not activated. Prospecting permits, required for seismic surveys, are valid for up to four years. Exploration permits, required for example for exploratory drilling or seismic surveys – essentially the further work required to identify the presence of commercially recoverable oil and gas – are valid for up to 15 years. If not activated, or if no longer wanted, permits are returned to the government.
How are we investing in our local communities?
NZOG is a proud supporter of science in our community, including two feature sponsorships:
- Sponsor of ‘Dinosaur Footprints’ national touring exhibition touring the country, currently at Nelson Provincial Museum.
- Sponsor of PhD research in to the habitats of the Great White Shark population around New Zealand. We have also supported primary teachers from our community areas to attend the Sir Paul Callaghan Science Academy science course.
How do we ensure environmental and social aspects of our Indonesian operations meet our New Zealand values?
We bring our New Zealand values everywhere we go,whether it be working in Taranaki or working with our international partners. Our interests in Indonesia are managed through our locally based joint venture partners. Working with these partners we contribute to the corporate responsibility aspects of development proposals. In entering partnerships we ensure a good match with our ow n values, and develop strong working relationships to ensure we maintain these values.
What are New Zealand Oil and Gas’s vision and values?
What are New Zealand Oil and Gas ’s vision and values? New Zealand Oil & Gas aims to create and sustain an enduring New Zealand oil and gas company at the heart of a successful oil and gas sector.
Our Vision built around this purpose is to become THE New Zealand Oil and Gas Company, by
• creating value through investment and management of our assets; and
• being the partner of choice for communities and industry; and
• operating at industry best practice to ensure business performance, safety and environmental expectations are met.
Our values are Integrity and Trust, Communication, People and Passion, and Commercial Focus.
You can find out more about our values on nzog.com