EPA grants marine consent to OMV NZ Ltd

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has granted a marine consent to OMV NZ Ltd to continue its development drilling programme in the Maari oil field in the South Taranaki Bight.

This is the first publicly notified application for a marine consent to be granted by the EPA. The application was considered by a Decision-making Committee appointed by the Board of the EPA.

OMV operates the Maari and Manaia oil fields in the South Taranaki Bight with three joint venture parties – Todd Maari Limited, Horizon Oil International Limited and Cue Taranaki Pty Ltd. OMV has been operating in New Zealand since 1999.

The marine consent will allow OMV to continue to drill up to seven development wells within existing conductor slots and carry out associated activities in the Maari oil field. The consent is subject to 33 conditions which will be monitored and enforced by the EPA.

In releasing its decision, the Committee said that the overall effect of the development drilling programme on the environment was minor, and in many cases, the effects were temporary.

EPA Board Chair Kerry Prendergast thanked the Committee, which was chaired by Alick Shaw, for its assessment of the application. “We appreciate the high level of expertise that the Committee brought to considering the potential effects of the application on the environment.”

There is a 15-working day period for the lodgement of any appeals to the High Court which can be made on points of law only. Under the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) legislation the period from 20 December to 10 January is not counted as working days.

The Committee’s full decision is available on our website: www.epa.govt.nz/EEZ/omv

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