Drilling rig appalls Greenpeace

The self-propelled semi-submersible oil rig COSL Prospector could be test drilling southeast of...
The oil rig COSL Prospector. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Greenpeace has blasted Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern over the arrival in New Zealand waters this week of the oil rig COSL Prospector.

The rig is to drill off Taranaki, and possibly come to Otago for test drilling next summer.

Greenpeace climate campaigner Amanda Larsson yesterday said the arrival of Prospector contradicted Ms Ardern's declaration climate change was her generation's nuclear-free moment.

"This ... rig is a 34,000-tonne embarrassment.

"It's come from Norway - literally the other side of the world - to search for new oil and gas during a climate emergency," she said.

Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand chief executive Cameron Madgwick waded into the debate, saying natural gas was assisting the transition to a lower carbon world, so new exploration and development was "crucial".

"Potential work on the Maui field and around the South Island will be very important for New Zealand's energy future," he said.

Natural gas had half the emissions of coal and enabled renewable electricity by providing "a crucial back-up at the flick of a switch."

A strong supply of natural gas meant reducing the amount of coal burnt, kept electricity prices down and avoided the need to import Australian liquefied natural gas, Mr Madgwick said.

It was announced yesterday New Zealand's estimated gas reserves had increased 7% in the past year, while a recent squeeze on gas supplies prompted increased coal-fired electricity generation, during the first quarter of the year.

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) acting national petroleum and minerals manager Sarah Kenward said the increase in estimated gas reserves came from a 30% upgrade at Pohokura and 65% upgrade at Kapuni, representing 166 petajoules and 57 petajoules of energy.

"It represents approximately 11 years of demand based on average consumption levels over the previous four years," she said.

The ageing Maui gas field was downgraded by 28%, down 41 petajoules.

MBIE markets, evidence and insights manager Daniel Griffiths said the use of renewable sources made up almost 80% of electricity generation for the quarter to March, down from 81% for the corresponding period last year.

Gas generation was down 16% because production at Pohokura was reduced during maintenance, he said.

Coal-fired generation spiked with an almost 138% increase from last year, to the highest quarterly volume since June 2013.

Mr Griffiths said despite the jump, coal contributed only 6.6% of the electricity generated during the period.

Hydro-electricity generation fell slightly, as lake levels were below the historical average for much of the quarter.

 

 

Comments

Looking forward to seeing it off the Otago coast.
Gas reticulation for the South Island would provide instant emission reduction while providing a much needed boost to the economy.
You’ve got my support.