More seabed opened up to drilling

MAJOR EXPANSION: The new block dwarfs the area previously opened up to exploration.

A vast new area of seabed off Northland's west coast is being opened up to oil and gas exploration in the Government's 2015 block offer, announced by Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges on Friday.

The Reinga-Northland Basin covers just under 190,000 sq km and is one of seven areas the Government is offering to oil and gas companies. The Basin extends south of Raglan and well north of the Three Kings Islands.

The area to be opened up excludes the 9800 sq km where Norwegian firm Statoil was granted an exploration permit in the last block offer. Statoil plans to start seismic testing to identify possible oil and gas deposits next month using the Norwegian company TGS.

NZ Petroleum and Minerals describes the Reinga-Northland Basin as large and relatively unexplored.

"It is believed to be prospective for oil and gas, and it has many similarities with the Taranaki Basin," the agency's website states.

The announcement is expected to further stoke opposition to seismic testing and possible oil drilling off the Northland coast. An awareness day is being planned at Ahipara early next month.

Mr Bridges said he encouraged iwi and local authorities to take part in the consultation process, which closes on February 9, 2015. Their feedback would ensure sensitive areas were carefully considered before the tender round was finalised.

Mr Bridges said the block offer was "not about development at any cost" with the Government committed to promoting and managing exploration in a safe and responsible way.

The proposal, which comprises four offshore and three onshore areas, covers about 476,000 sq km. New Zealand's total land area is about 270,000 sq km.

Rueben Taipari Porter, a leading opponent of oil exploration, said he had been disappointed with the last consultation round, which he believed was set up to ensure the Government got its way.

Rather than fight the Government's plans with yet more paperwork, his group was working to raise awareness among those most at risk from oil exploration. He was amazed by how many people were unaware that seismic testing was due to begin within weeks off Northland's west coast.

An awareness day, including music and expert seminars, will be held at Ahipara on December 6.