Block Offer 2014

We received 36 submissions on Block Offer 2014 - 15 from iwi and hapū and 20 from local authorities (one was an individual submission).

NZP&M reviewed the submissions and made recommendations to the Minister of Energy and Resources.

NZP&M consultation recommendations to the Minister

Also, in late 2013 a surrendered exploration permit made new acreage available for the Block Offer. As this change was significant, NZP&M undertook further consultation with affected iwi and hapū. We also sought feedback from local government.

NZP&M recommendations to the Minister regarding the surrendered area

The following changes were made to the proposed Block Offer following consultation:

• 14TAR-R2 (onshore Taranaki) was amended to exclude sites of significance which overlap with the New Plymouth District Council district boundaries. We have removed Parihaka Pā recognising its importance to the Taranaki Iwi. Any permit granted within this release area will require operators starting any petroleum exploration activity within 200 metres of the Tangahoe, Pātea and Whenuakura Rivers to give Te Runanga o Ngati Ruanui 20 working days notice.
• Area 14ECT-R1 (onshore East Coast) was amended to exclude areas over the Ruataniwha aquifer system. This consultation area was also amended to better reflect likely prospectivity in the area.
• Area 14WEC-R1 (onshore West Coast) was also amended to better reflect prospectivity in the area.
• Area 14GSC-R1 (offshore Canterbury/Great South Basin) was amended to remove an overlap with the Banks Peninsula Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
• Area 14PEG-R1 (offshore Pegasus Basin) was amended to remove an overlap with the planned Kaikoura whale sanctuary.

Block Offer 2014 was announced in April 2014 and had a total acreage of 405,000km². The tender closed in October and bids were assessed according to criteria set out in the Crown Minerals Act 1991, the Petroleum Programme 2013 and the Block Offer 2014 Invitation for Bids.

Assessors considered the bidder’s work programme and other criteria including their technical and financial capability, their compliance history and their likely ability to meet health, safety and environmental requirements.

In December 2014 Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges announced 15 new petroleum exploration permits.

View the permit details and maps.