1 April 2011

The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of NZ (Pepanz) said today that the flotilla about to arrive on the East Cape on Sunday to protest the commencement of a seismic survey should stay well clear of the vessel during operations.

Executive Officer of the Association, John Pfahlert said that while the vessel would be operating a long way from shore it posed real risks to protestors if they attempted to disrupt it operating, or board the vessel.

“The ship conducting the survey, the 3D Orient Explorer, is 85 meters long and weighs 3500 tonnes. The seismic array it is towing extends 10 km behind the ship. This is not the sort of vessel that can easily manoeuvre to avoid protest vessels that attempt to get in its way or stray to close” said Mr Pfahlert.

“Protest vessels need to stay a healthy distance to ensure the safety of their vessels and crews and the crew of the 3D Orient Explorer”.

Mr Pfahlert said that irrespective of what action the government might take to address protestor’s concerns regarding rights of public participation in the process, the process of environmental assessment, or how stringent it made the new laws – he said those currently protesting were against all forms of fossil fuel development.

“It’s up to the Government to make progress on fixing this issue. Industry is ready to engage in a dialogue when the Government makes it a priority.

However, there is in fact little common ground for a constructive dialogue with people who hanker for a world without fossil fuels and oppose all fossil fuel related energy development in New Zealand.

In our view it is better to have responsible development of fossil fuels from New Zealand with our excellent track record of environmental management, rather than relying on fossil fuel production from nations where the same standards are not enforced” said Mr Pfahlert.

The Petroleum industry contributed over $1b to Government coffers in the last financial year.

ENDS

BUDGET 2012:
Parliament Debate Live - Video Of Budget 2011
Keith Ng Interactive Graphic: How the Budget Breaks Down
BUDGET 2012 - FULL COVERAGE: Reports / Analysis - Press Kit - Reaction (from everybody) - Previews (from everybody) - Pre-Budget Announcements

Gordon Campbell: On the Budget’s Spreadsheet Victories

It wasn’t as if expectations were sky high, exactly. Chances are, it was always more likely that we’d be seeing Bigfoot rampage through the Beehive lock-up than catch a glimpse of a credible growth agenda from this government. More >>

Sludge Budget Report - Short The Dollar! MEMO: To international bankers FROM: C.D. Sludge Please short the dollar! It'll be good for both you and us. And you know you want to. Greexit, Eurogeddon... watch out... flight to quality and all that. Follow your instincts. The NZ Debt Management Office has been so surprised at the unprecedentedly low interest rates that it can borrow at that it has already entirely pre-funded the 2013 fiscal deficit - all $8 billion of it! More >>

Pattrick Smellie Comment: Doddling along the best we can hope forCriticising Budgets for lacking vision or imagination is like shooting fish in a barrel, but even so, this year's Budget again feels like a missed opportunity. Perhaps it's the intrusion of real world needs that means the government couldn't make better political use of the $558.8 million it expects to gather in its first partial asset sale. More >>