End of an era as final exploration permit outside Taranaki surrendered
The surrender of the final exploration permit outside of Taranaki is the disappointing end of an era and a further blow to New Zealand鈥檚 energy security, according to the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ).
New Zealand Oil and Gas announced today it is surrendering the Toroa permit in the Great South Basin.
鈥淭his is not surprising news, but still disappointing,鈥� says PEPANZ chief executive John Carnegie.
鈥淎 successful find could have helped lower emissions here in New Zealand and around the world by replacing coal for industrial use and electricity generation.
"Just last month it was announced the Huntly power station is bringing a third coal-fired electricity unit out of storage due in part to looming shortages in the gas market. This is a worrying foretaste of the future.
鈥淣ew Zealand was once considered a top frontier destination for exploration and development but is no longer seen as a place to invest. A new field could have created thousands of jobs and earned the Government tens of billions in taxes and royalties.
鈥淲e need natural gas to power industries, heat our 天美直播s and keep electricity prices down. We are now heavily dependent on development and production in Taranaki, given the absence of affordable and realistic fuel sources to natural gas.聽
"PEPANZ members are continuing to invest in their existing assets to enhance supply in the short and medium term, but beyond that we need the right conditions to encourage investment.
鈥淟ocally produced natural gas rather than imported LNG can help achieve the transition to lower emissions and improve well-being for all New Zealanders.鈥�