New Zealand's largest and longest-producing offshore oil and gas field, Maui, has gained marine resource consents allowing it to operate for up to 35 more years.
It is the first time Maui has been dealt with under new regulations governing economic activity in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the consents follow hearings by an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) decision-making committee (DMC). The EEZ is the world's fourth largest and extends 200km from the 12-nautical-mile limit off the New Zealand coast.
The marine consent has been to Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS) for 35 years "to undertake activities relating to extracting, producing and transporting natural gas and condensate in and from the Maui natural gas field".
The application was opposed by environmental groups concerned about the impact of potential oil spills.
However, the outcome is not surprising, given the Maui field has been producing without serious incident since the 1970s.