Gordon Campbell at Werewolf has written a significant article on one of the exploiter companies who will be drilling around this country. I recommend this article, here is a snippet
Werewolf
In the light of such findings, concern about Anadarko’s activities off
the New Zealand coast seems utterly reasonable. Similar concerns seem
appropriate about New Zealand’s ability to monitor Anadarko’s
operations here, and to respond adequately should a major spill occur
off our coastline. Much is being taken on trust, with crossed fingers
that it won’t happen here. And that’s before mentioning our capacity to
reliably monitor any subsequent uptake from the wells drilled, and our
ability to negotiate a fair royalties rate truly commensurate with the
value of the deposits, and the risks being undertaken. On all such
counts, there are serious grounds for objecting to Anadarko’s activities
off our coastline – and given the troubling aspects of the company’s
recent environmental record, there is no valid reason for criminalizing
those who might wish to protest its presence here.
It is interesting to note that
Barely a week before our last general election in November 2011, Prime
Minister John Key found time to divert from his busy campaign schedule
for a meeting back in Wellington – purpose unknown – with Anadarko’s then-CEO, James Hackett.
The Werewolf article shows very clearly the type of corporate animal that these exploiters are - they don't care about the people they poison, they don't care about the environment, safety or the law - they care about profits and making money. By inviting these predators into this country we are offering our throats to the worst of humanity. The question isn't if a disaster will happen it is just when it will happen and the politicians who have colluded with these corporates will be held to account where ever they are, even Key in his holiday home in Hawaii.
We are fighting their oil exploitation on the East Coast and we will soon be fighting them on the West Coast too. News that, "US independent energy giant Anadarko Petroleum has confirmed it intends drilling a well in what is known as the Deepwater Taranaki Basin", is disturbing, already there is disquiet
Taranaki Daily News
But already environmental groups fighting oil and gas exploration in remote areas of New Zealand's exclusive economic zone are promising they will take action against the drilling project.
Recently-formed Climate Justice Taranaki confirmed yesterday it has been talking with Greenpeace about what can be done. Spokeswoman Emily Bailey said definite plans had not been formulated, but there would be protest action.
"It's crazy. It'll be mad trying to drill way out there in the Tasman. The risk of spills will be too much," she said.
"So we'll definitely be doing something. We'll also be trying to talk to the community about this project. It's definitely not the way we should be going."
It will be worth keeping our eye on these developments - action is always best if it can be coordinated and getting tangata whenua involved and the community will be essential.
Seismic surveys conducted in the block three years ago identified three major prospects: Romney, which is under 1600 metres of water, Coopworth at 1400 metres, and Corriedale, at a much shallower 230 metres. Depending on which prospect is to be targeted by the exploration joint venture headed by Anadarko, the well could be located more than 150km out to sea.
The Deepwater Horizon disaster occurred in a water depth of 1500 metres. The Taranaki well could be drilled in water at least that deep.
The risks cannot be mitigated they can only be ignored by the exploiters. Why should our land and sea be put at risk to generate profits for overseas megacompanies. it is just not good enough and must be stopped.
