So, the whole big plan for the Key-led NZ Inc, has just become a bit of a fizzer.
All that time, money and resources Anadarko wasted on looking for deep sea oil in the Taranaki has come to nothing. Stuff reports:
Texan oil company Anadarko says it has found no commercially viable oil or gas in its deep-sea well in the Taranaki Basin.
So, undeterred, Anadarko is going for more fail in the Canterbury basin:
“It’s a disappointment, but this is by far the most frequent outcome in exploratory drilling,” Anadarko New Zealand’s corporate affairs manager Alan Seay said.
The 4619-metre well, which was drilled under 1500m of water, will be plugged and abandoned over the next few days, he said.
Anadarko spent about 70 days drilling in deep water off the Taranaki coast, at a cost of up to US$250 million (NZ$309m). The company’s licence to drill in the Deepwater Taranaki Basin ends on February 14.
“In terms of the drilling operation, the ship performed above and beyond expectations,” Seay said.
So great endeavor by the ship, a big fail for NZ’s economic and energy policy.
As I/S on NRT says, ‘National’s gamble fails‘:
So that’s National’s entire economic plan gone. They had one idea to boost economic growth (I’m not going to say “raise living standards” because that includes clean beaches), and it has failed. What are they going to do now? Pray for a pot of gold to fall out of the sky? Oh wait, that’s what they were already doing…
There are cleaner ways to earn a living than polluting the oceans and baking a planet. And we desperately need a government which will pursue them. National seems incapable of it. Time to toss them out and get someone better.
Gareth Hughes’ response: ‘Deep sea drilling is not our future.‘ Arguing for a smart green economy:
“The National Government’s deep sea drilling plans have so far failed, and it’s time the Government focused on what will actually deliver jobs and regional economic development, like clean energy, green-tech and IT,” said Green Party energy spokesperson Gareth Hughes.
“The National Government has been rolling out the red carpet to the oil and gas industry, but rather than picking a winner, it has picked a loser and New Zealanders are worse off for it.
“The Government is playing ‘deep sea oil roulette’, hoping for oil while ignoring other sectors like clean energy where the jobs actually are.
“The Government should look to support industries that, in the long-term, we know will be good for the environment and economy.
“To make sure that New Zealanders have good jobs, the Government should turn around the manufacturing crisis, which has seen 40,000 manufacturing jobs lost since National came to power.
Gambling with our country’s future, is just more fiddling while the country ‘burns’ and positive life-sustaining action is required.
[update] Hikoi against Hard Rock Toxic Mining & Deep Sea Oil Drilling this week:
An invitation has been extended to MineWatch Northland and any interested people to join the Hikoi (March) and Forum in Waitangi.
Please bring your signs and meet MineWatch Northland on either days to show your opposition against Toxic Mining and Deep Sea Oil Drilling.
Wednesday 5th February 2014 – Paihia to Waitangi
UNITE WITH WHANAU of TE REINGA and HIKOI kotahi tatou.
8.00am – Paihia to Waitangi
9.00am – Powhiri on to Te Tii Marae
10.00am – 8.00pm @ Te Tau Rangatira Mining & Oil
Thursday 6th February 2014 – Waitangi Day
9.00am – @ Te Tau Rangatira (Where to from Here)
11.00am – March to top Marae (Flag Pole) Meeting point left hand side of bridge to Waitangi.
12.00noon – Presentation of Statement
Katie Bradford has tweeted this image of today’s Hikoi:
Hikoi against oil and gas exploration going through KeriKeri. Led by an electric car. Lots of toots of support.
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