Today a coalition of groups and citizens, including Extinction Rebellion, Oil Free Otago, Environmental Justice Otepoti and others, have gathered in Queenstown to strongly oppose the 2019 Petroleum Conference in Queenstown.

Representatives from some of the world’s biggest oil extraction and servicing companies are at the Millenium Hotel from 29 September to 1 October, including Halliburton, multinational Schlumberger whose vessel Amazon Warrior seismic blasted in blue whale territory in 2017, oil giant OMV and Canada’s Greymouth Petroleum along with Australia’s second biggest oil producer Beach Energy and NZ’s own Todd Energy.

Sessions include criticism of the government's offshore ban on new oil and gas permits ("Policy on the Hoof"), exploration of methane hydrates or 'ice gas', production of methane derived hydrogen, and carbon capture and sequestration.

The event is organised by The Petroleum Exploration & Production Association of NZ (PEPANZ) in conjunction with the NZ Government (NZPAM and GNS Science).

“This week, just after our Prime Minister talks up New Zealand’s commitment to solving the climate crisis at the UN, another part of her government is mingling with the very companies most responsible for causing it” the group’s spokesperson Rosemary Penwarden said. "This conference is all about further expansion instead of stopping its use"

The Queenstown Lakes District Council voted 6-5 in favour of declaring a climate and ecological emergency in June. July saw Queenstown’s mean temperature double its average for the month.

“We demand an end to the NZ Petroleum Conference for good, and that the government redirect their money towards an immediate and swift transition to a carbon neutral, local, fairer economy. No more empty words.”

© Scoop Media