13 April 2015
Public should have been told about dangerous deep sea drilling related incident
The revelation that oil company Anadarko dropped a massive platform into the ocean while in New Zealand drilling for
deep sea oil last year is further proof that deep sea oil drilling just isn’t worth the risk, the Green Party said
today.
New information revealed today shows that dangerous incidents in the oil and gas industry, as recorded by WorkSafe New
Zealand, have also increased in the last year.
Among these incidents were fires, high pressure gas leaks, oil spills and Anadarko dropping a seven tonne riser platform
into the ocean when it was in the Canterbury Basin to drill a deep sea exploratory well last year.
“The public has a right to know about accidents like this but instead we’re finding out a year later,” said Green Party
energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes.
“Last year while the Government and Anadarko were trying to convince New Zealanders how safe deep sea oil drilling is
when they were drilling some of our deepest ever exploratory wells, they were actually losing crucial pieces of
equipment in the ocean.
“If these overseas oil companies can’t even keep track of crucial equipment while out there in rough conditions, how can
we trust them to plug an oil spill over 1500 metres deep?
“The increase in dangerous incidents overall in the oil and gas industry shows that the risks of this industry are real.
“Instead of the Government giving away New Zealand lands and oceans to Big Oil, we should be putting more energy and
resources into transitioning to clean, renewable energy.
“We don't need to risk our shores and climate for the sake of a quick buck that will mostly benefit overseas oil
companies.
“We can create a smart, green economy by moving away from risky extractive activities like deep sea oil drilling, and
towards renewable energy and sustainable jobs,” said Mr Hughes.
ends