MEDIA RELEASE

5 June 2015

EPA grants marine consent to Shell Todd Oil Services for its Māui offshore facilities

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has granted a marine consent to Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS) for 35 years to undertake activities relating to extracting, producing and transporting natural gas and condensate in and from the Māui natural gas field.

The marine consent covers work at STOS’ existing structures known as Māui Platform Alpha and Māui Platform Bravo and all associated structures and submarine pipelines. It is subject to conditions, which will be monitored and enforced by the EPA.

The application was considered by a Decision-making Committee (DMC) appointed by the EPA Board. After considering all of the information provided, the DMC decided that granting the marine consent would accord with the sustainable management purpose of the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act.

The overall effect of the operations at the Māui offshore facilities, including the proposed drilling programme, on the environment and existing interests was found to be negligible to minor.

The DMC considered that the adverse effects could be appropriately avoided, remedied or mitigated through imposing conditions on the marine consent and the requirements of other marine management regimes.

This is the second publicly notified application for a marine consent to be granted by the EPA. The first was granted to OMV for operations at their Maari field.

Appeals on the marine consent granted to STOS can be lodged with the High Court only on points of law until 26 June 2015.

View the Committee’s full decision on the EPA’s website.

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