Statoil returns to talk some more

CONSULTATION: Statoil's vice-president exploration Pal Haremo taking a question from oil drilling opponent Mike Smith at a hui in Kaitaia last year. PICTURE/PETRINA HODGSON

Norwegian oil company Statoil, which has begun the process of exploring for oil and gas in Te Reinga Basin, was back in the Far North this week, continuing its comprehensive process of consultation.

The agenda included a two-day workshop with representatives of Te Rarawa, Ngai Takoto, Ngati Hine and Te Aupouri, vice-president exploration Pal Haremo saying this was his third visit in less than 18 months.

He was aware of continued vocal opposition to the company's presence, opposition that Statoil was not unfamiliar with, but also claimed strong support for exploration within the wider community. And while no decision would be made for some years regarding the viability of drilling, the company was making a conscious effort to consult well in advance, in preparation for the possibility that exploration would result in extraction.

It was not a matter of negotiating with opponents, Mr Haremo said, but of discussing concerns and explaining the processes involved, the measures that would be taken to protect the environment and the benefits that could accrue for the community and New Zealand.

"We are listening to people's concerns and will build them into our decision after the data we have gathered has been analysed, if it is doable," he said.

"We can and do adapt what we do in response to concerns and local cultural issues. It's part of the process."

At the end of the day decisions would be based on geology, but a great deal of data had to be assessed before those decisions could be made.

New Zealand manager Bryn Klove said Statoil was getting a lot of support from people in the streets of Kaitaia and Kerikeri, business communities and local government.

"A lot of people think we have something to offer in terms of this community's economic future," he said.

"Everyone in this community is equally important, whether they oppose or support what we are doing. Everyone is entitled to ask questions and to receive answers, and that is the process we are undertaking now. It is important that we all understand each other, and that we find a way of doing something that could be of great benefit to this community that is acceptable to and understood by everyone."