DOCSLIB.ORG

Enterprise & Energy Hydraulic Fracturing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Enterprise & Energy Hydraulic Fracturing Enterprise & Energy Hydraulic Fracturing Submission to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment 11 October 2012 Dr Jan Wright Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment PO Box 10-241 WELLINGTON 6143 Dear Dr Wright SUBMISSION TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT’S INVESTIGATION INTO HYDRAULIC FRACTURING IN NEW ZEALAND 1. Introduction 1.1 Todd Energy (Todd) welcomes the opportunity to provide input into your investigation regarding the use of hydraulic fracturing in New Zealand. We hope this investigation will provide the clarity required to properly inform the public on both the merits and perceived risks of hydraulic fracturing in a New Zealand context. 1.2 Todd wants to improve the public discourse on these issues and is strongly committed to assisting in that by providing full transparency about our hydraulic fracturing operations in New Zealand. In that spirit, we have endeavoured to provide a plain language, comprehensive picture of our operations with considerable background detail. We will also make this submission available to the public. 1.3 We reiterate our invitation to you to visit our Taranaki wellsites and observe a hydraulic fracturing operation, and would welcome the opportunity to provide any further information that may be helpful to your investigation. 1.4 There are important differences between types of fracture treatments, target formations, and the depths at which they are performed, and these matters are addressed in considerable detail in the submission as they impact significantly on the level of any possible risks. 1.5 Todd’s hydraulic fracturing operations are in line with international best practice, and have developed and will continue to be refined through a process of continuous improvement. They are safe and have minimal impact on the environment. Todd complies fully with the New Zealand regulatory regime, which we regard as sound and fit for purpose. The information and evidence set out in this submission supports this position. The following are the main points of our submission. 2. Regulatory framework for hydraulic fracturing 2.1 The increased public focus on hydraulic fracturing has already prompted the Taranaki Regional Council (TRC) to review and refine regulation of hydraulic fracturing operations in Taranaki. 2.2 The enhanced regulatory framework including specific resource consents, compliance requirements and public disclosure for hydraulic fracturing activities, together with regulations such as the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO), adequately protects the environment and is fit for purpose. 2.3 This view is reinforced by the findings of detailed analyses and studies by the TRC and GNS Science in Taranaki which found no detectable evidence of water or air quality contamination or of seismic events arising from or relating to hydraulic fracturing. 2.4 Industry has also responded to public concerns with moves to provide greater transparency around its operations. This should be strongly encouraged. 2.5 Data disclosure requirements under the resource consents should be restricted to relevant data, but should be regularly reviewed to ensure that they remain fit for purpose and allow for innovation. 2.6 The hydraulic fracturing consent framework implemented by the TRC should be adopted by other councils. 2.7 Should further regulation be proposed for hydraulic fracturing, despite the absence of any evidence of significant environmental damage caused by hydraulic fracturing in New Zealand, it should be risk based, and recognise that depth, well construction methods, the types of fluids and chemicals used, and the volumes of water used have a significant impact on the magnitude of the environmental risk. 3. Environmental risks associated with hydraulic fracturing 3.1 Many of the environmental risks raised as concerns relating to hydraulic fracturing apply to all exploration and production drilling. They are well recognised by the industry and managed through adherence to high quality well construction and best practice in all operations. 3.2 The primary environmental concern raised in relation to hydraulic fracturing is the risk of contaminating shallow freshwater aquifers and surface water with hydrocarbons or fracture fluids. 3.3 Todd uses low volume conventional fracturing, typically in sandstones below 3,000 metres, with multiple layers of overburden and cap rock seal. The risk of contaminating a shallow freshwater aquifer or surface water during such treatments is significantly lower than in high volume water fracturing used in shallow shale gas developments in the United States. 3.4 Todd uses state-of-the-art well construction and fracture monitoring procedures. The risk of fractures extending into aquifers or fluids escaping up between the well and surrounding rock is virtually non-existent. 3.5 A potential environmental risk associated with deep hydraulic fracturing in Taranaki would be accidental surface spillage of chemicals or fracture fluids containing low concentrations of mild contaminants. This is effectively managed through strict adherence to high quality health, safety and environmental management procedures and compliance with HSNO and other regulatory controls for the handling, transport and disposal of chemicals and returned fluids. 3.6 The types of chemicals used for hydraulic fracturing have changed substantially over the last twenty years. Most are environmentally benign and are common in many household products. Fracturing fluids that are 100 percent benign are rapidly coming on market. Fracture fluid composition is fully disclosed in consents and on many company websites. 4. Seismicity 4.1 Downhole micro-seismicity (below 2M on the Richter scale) induced by fracturing, is highly unlikely to be felt at the surface. Slightly higher energy events have been linked with fracturing in some countries, typically related to geothermal projects. 4.2 A GNS study conducted in Taranaki concluded it is unlikely that hydraulic fracturing operations have caused detectable earthquakes. 4.3 Public concern has been expressed about the possibility of hydraulic fracturing operations activating a natural fault. The risk of this occurring in deep gas formations in Taranaki is very slight. 4.4 Part of the normal risk assessment involved in planning hydraulic fracturing includes identifying the presence of any faults from seismic reflection surveying data and avoiding these. 4.5 Avoiding hydraulic fracturing near faults is also good operating practice from the perspective of obtaining a successful fracture treatment result. This is because a fault may act as a ‘thief zone’ for the treatment, thereby compromising the operational objective, and potentially leading to early programme termination. 5. Natural gas as a transition fuel 5.1 Todd supports the move to more sustainable energy sources and has invested in hydro, solar and geothermal assets, and tidal and landfill gas energy developments. 5.2 Nevertheless it is likely that fossil energy sources will continue to play an important role for the foreseeable future. Consumers are not prepared to meet the very large costs that would be necessary to replace the 61 percent of New Zealand’s total energy supply met by non- renewable sources, with renewables. 5.3 Solar, wind and hydro energy are very weather dependent and rely on thermal generation as a back-up. The latter two also leave significant environmental footprints. 5.4 As the cleanest burning fossil fuel, with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal, natural gas is the obvious, affordable, reliable transitional fuel. 5.6 Tight gas resources are required to secure New Zealand’s long term gas supply, and their production necessitates the use of hydraulic fracturing. Paul Moore Chief Executive Todd Energy This submission has been prepared by Todd Energy to assist the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment with her enquiry into hydraulic fracturing. It may not be relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose. While the authors have taken all care to ensure the accuracy of the information in the submission, they accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. Contents Table of Figures ........................................................................................................................ 4 Table of Tables .......................................................................................................................... 5 Foreword ......................................................................................................... 7 Executive Summary ....................................................................................... 9 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................ 23 1.1 Todd Energy ................................................................................................................ 24 1.2 New Zealand oil and gas sector................................................................................. 26 1.3 Basic petroleum geology ........................................................................................... 27 1.4 Petroleum exploration and development ................................................................. 28 1.5 Conventional and unconventional petroleum resources ....................................... 29 1.6 Hydraulic fracturing techniques ................................................................................ 31 Conclusion ..............................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Hello from Todd Energy
    Enterprise & Energy Taranaki Community Update Issue 15, September 2017 HELLO FROM TODD ENERGY... Firstly I would like to acknowledge our neighbours in South In regards to our most recent operations in North Taranaki Taranaki who are receiving the Todd Energy Community at Mangahewa D wellsite, I must thank all the residents on newsletter for the first time. Todd produces this newsletter Everett Road, Rimutauteka Road and Bristol Road, for their three times a year for distribution to all wellsite and patience with our activities throughout the well entry production station neighbours, and residents on main traffic campaign. All the equipment is now demobilised. routes across our operations. This newsletter provides a brief Mangahewa operations for the remainder of the year will update on our wellsite and production station activities and involve low levels of wellsite maintenance across the field, shares our interesting community stories. with the ongoing construction of the new office facility As many of you will know, Todd is proud to be the 100% owner at the McKee Mangahewa and operator of the Kapuni field. We have significant history Production Station. with the Kapuni natural gas field being a joint venture partner I hope you enjoy reading the Todd when the field was first discovered in 1959. Energy newsletter. I have included We look forward to meeting all the Kapuni neighbours and a couple of photos taken at Kapuni residents through various community engagements over with the Todd Kapuni team on the the coming months, including the first Todd Energy Open first day Todd took over Community meeting at Kapuni on Thursday 2 November 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • NZIER Annual Report 2009.Pdf
    Annual Report New Zealand Institute of Economic Research 20 09 New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (Inc) ESTABLISHED 1958 8 Halswell Street Thorndon PO Box 3479 Wellington 6011 New Zealand Phone: +64 4 472 1880 Fax: +64 4 472 1211 email: [email protected] Website: www.nzier.org.nz Chairman’s Report 3 NZIER Board Members 2009 4 Chief Executive’s Report 6 Public Good Work 7 Membership Products 8 List of NZIER Members 2008 9 Contents Summary Financial Statements 11 NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC About NZIER ANNUAL REPORT 2009 ANNUAL • The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) is an independent economic consulting and forecasting organisation specialising in quality economic analysis and research to help decision-makers in both the private and public sectors with strategic and policy advice. • Established in 1958 and based in Wellington we are a non-profit incorporated society. • We are independent of Government and any other organisation and we conduct our activities in an impartial and independent manner free from bias or any sectional interest. • Membership is open to all. • We devote the surplus on our operations to fund our public good research and other activities. 1 NZIER wishes to thank • Major members, members and clients for providing the funding necessary to carry out the Institute’s work. • The New Zealand Treasury and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand for providing a grant towards the cost of the Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion. • Sir John Anderson, Professor Frank Scrimgeour, Dr John McDermott, Dr Arthur Grimes and Mr Jeremy Corban for sitting on the Awarding Panel for the 2008 NZIER Economics Award.
    [Show full text]
  • New Zealand Soil Bureau Bibliographic Report 3~ I NE
    New Zealand Soil Bureau bibliographic report 3~ I NE Jacquet Soil Bureau, Lower Hutt NZ Soil Bureau Bibliographic Report 33 KZ Soil Bureau Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Lower Hutt, New Zealand 1987 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .. 5 NEW ZEALAND BIBLIOGRAPHY DISCUSSION 8 CONCLUSION 35 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 36 NEW ZEALAND AND OVERSEAS BIBLIOGRAPHY 40 AUTHOR INDEX 46 Figures Locations of large dams in the North Island of New Zealand (compiled from data supplied from the Ministry of Works and Development) 6 2 U-log T curves for New Plymouth Hospital soil (after Birrell 1951) 9 3 Effect of re-working on moisture - density curves for Atiamuri soils (after Birrell 1951) 9 4 Compaction curves for Mamaku soils (after Birrell 1951) 9 5 Pressure - void ratio curves for consolidation tests on volcanic clays (after Gradwell and Birrell 1954) . 10 6 Soils of possible engineering importance on North Island flat and rolling country (reprinted from Birrell 1956) 11 7 Location of Taupo ash showers (after Packard 1957) 12 8 Thixotropic strength regain of New Plymouth clays (after Robinson 1962) 15 9 Relation of compaction to strength of New Plymouth ash (after Robinson 1962) 15 10 Void ratio - log pressure curves for volcanic ash from Turangi Village (after Bullen 1965) 16 11 Proctor compaction curve on pumice sand (after Bullen 1965) 16 12 Compaction tests on brown ash material. Drying-back method (after Bullen 1966) 17 13 Compaction tests on grey ash material. Drying-back method (after Bullen 1966) 17 14 Effect of drying and re-wetting before compaction on yellow-brown loams (after Northey 1966) 18 15 Compaction test results for two pumice materials (after Bullen 1967) 19 16 Surface pattern of soil-forming volcanic ash, North Island, New Zealand (after Gibbs 1968) 20 17 Consolidation test results on volcanic ash (after Wesley 1968) 21 18 Differential thermal analysis spectra of allophanes (after Wells and Furkert 1972) 21 Bibliographic Reference: 19 Effect of water content and lime content on unconfined compression strength (after Northey and Schafer 1974) 23 JACQUET, D.
    [Show full text]
  • Consents Issued May-July 2018
    Consents and Regulatory Committee - Resource consents issued under delegated authority and applications in progress Non-notified authorisations issued by the Taranaki Regional Council between 25 May 2018 and 05 Jul 2018 Discharge Permit Consent Holder Subtype Primary Industry Purpose Activity Purpose R2/2605-3.0 Waiteika Trust Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/2311-3.0 Devon West Trust Water - Animal Waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/5500-2.1 Lakeview Trust Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Change R2/5238-2.1 Smith Trust Partnership Air - odour Poultry Farm Change R2/7882-1.1 New Plymouth District Council Land - Industry Cemetery Extension of Lapse R2/2424-3.0 Ainsley Edwards Estate Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/0952-3.1 Oakura Farms Limited Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Change R2/0852-3.0 Gordon Partners Water - Animal Waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/1888-3.0 Livingstone Farms Limited Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/10304-1.1 Cheal Petroleum Limited Land - DWI Hydrocarbon Exploration Change R2/2059-3.0 Bushline Trust Water - Animal Waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/6077-2.0 Cold Creek Community Water Supply Limited Water - Industry Water Supply or Treatment Replace R2/4482-3.0 M & P Hawken Trust Water - Animal Waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/5037-2.2 Todd Energy Limited Land - DWI Hydrocarbon Exploration Change R2/3526-3.0 St George By The Sea Limited Land - animal waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/1917-3.0 Eric & Diane Ardern Water - Animal Waste Dairy Farm Replace R2/10586-1.0 Todd Energy Limited Land - stormwater Hydrocarbon Exploration
    [Show full text]
  • Regulatory Committee
    MEETING AGENDA REGULATORY COMMITTEE Thursday 12 February 2015 at 4.30 PM Council Chamber Chairperson: Cr Shaun Biesiek Members: Cr Gordon Brown Cr Grant Coward Cr Heather Dodunski Cr Richard Handley Cr Richard Jordan Cr Marie Pearce Mayor Andrew Judd REGULATORY COMMITTEE THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY 2015 REGULATORY COMMITTEE Purpose: a) Ensure effective and efficient exercise of statutory regulatory functions, implementation of the district Plan and enforcement of the Council’s bylaws. b) To oversee, coordinate and direct the development and, where appropriate, the review of the district plan. Addressing the committee Members of the public have an opportunity to address the committee during the public forum section or as a deputation. A public forum section of up to 30 minutes precedes all committee meetings. Each speaker during the public forum section of a meeting may speak for up to 10 minutes. In the case of a group a maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed. A request to make a deputation should be made to the secretariat within two working days before the meeting. The chairperson will decide whether your deputation is accepted. The chairperson may approve a shorter notice period. No more than four members of a deputation may address a meeting. A limit of 10 minutes is placed on a speaker making a presentation. In the case of a group a maximum of 20 minutes will be allowed. Purpose of Local Government The reports contained in this agenda address the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to decision making. Unless otherwise
    [Show full text]
  • Creating a Culture of CEO Health and Safety Leadership
    ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 2015 Creating a culture of CEO health and safety leadership Where leading on health and safety is a normal, valued and accepted part of the CEO's role. www.zeroharm.org.nz Our members AB Equipment Allied Workforce Group Beca Group Canadian Pacific Peter Dudson Simon Bennett David Carter Peter Leitch Chief Executive Chief Executive Executive Director Managing Director Abano Healthcare Group Alpine Energy Bell Tea & Coffee Company Canterbury Earthquake Richard Key Andrew Tombs Mark Hamilton Recovery Authority Chief Operating Officer Chief Executive Chief Executive Kelvan Smith, Deputy Chief Exec ACC ANZCO Foods BP NZ Holdings Cardinal Logistics Scott Pickering Mark Clarkson Matt Elliott Tony Gorton Chief Executive Managing Director Managing Director Managing Director Action Engineering Aotearoa Fisheries BRANZ Carter Holt Harvey Pulp, Mark Cameron Carl Carrington Chelydra Percy Paper & Packaging, Managing Director Chief Executive Chief Executive Jon Ryder, Chief Executive Adecco Arrow International Group Bridgestone NZ Cavalier Woolscourers Mike Davies Mark Hopwood Joanne Denley Nigel Hales Chief Operating Officer Chief Executive Director Chief Executive AECOM Auckland District Health Board Bridon NZ Cawthorn Institute John Bridgman Ailsa Claire Mike Toxopeus Charles Eason Managing Director NZ Chief Executive Managing Director Chief Executive Agoge Auckland International Airport Brightwater Group CentrePort Andrew Nicol Adrian Littlewood David McGregor Blair O’Keeffe Chief Executive Chief Executive Chief Executive Chief
    [Show full text]
  • Energy in New Zealand 2018
    MARKETS – EVIDENCE AND INSIGHTS BRANCH ENERGY IN NEW ZEALAND 18 2017 CALENDAR YEAR EDITION Comprehensive information on and analysis of New Zealand’s energy supply, demand and prices Energy in New Zealand 2018 provides annual information on and analysis of New Zealand’s energy sector and is part of the suite of publications produced by the Energy & Building Trends team of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE). The 2018 edition includes information up to the end of the calendar year 2017. Full data tables may be downloaded from the Energy in New Zealand webpage: www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/energy/energy-data-modelling/ publications/energy-in-new-zealand Prepared by: Important Acknowledgements Markets Use of this publication in paper or The authors are grateful to the Evidence and Insights electronic form implies acceptance of individuals, companies and organisations the conditions of its release, which are that provided information and gave Ministry of Business, Innovation that if the information is made available generously their time to assist with the & Employment to others, its source must be work reported here. acknowledged as the Ministry of PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140 Business, Innovation & Employment Authorship New Zealand 2018 or by reference to the publication This publication was prepared by Email: [email protected] title and date. the Markets team within the Evidence Although every attempt has been made and Insight Branch of the Ministry of to ensure the information is accurate, Business, Innovation and Employment. neither the Crown nor any Minister, Principal contributors were Maria Botes, employee or agent of the Crown: Michael Smith, Jeff Lean, Jan-Yves This work is licenced under a • warrants the accuracy, completeness Ruzicka, Chris Barnett, and James Hogan.
    [Show full text]
  • NZ Gas Story Presentation
    From wellhead to burner - The New Zealand Gas Story August 2014 Who are we – and why are we here • We’re the industry body and co-regulator • We’re telling the Gas Story because: − the industry has changed, there are more players, and the story is getting fragmented and lost − the industry asked us to stitch the story together and to tell it. − it fits with our obligation to report to the Minister on the state and performance of the gas industry. • and, because gas has a long pedigree and makes a valuable contribution to New Zealand, it’s a great story worth telling... Gas Industry Co 2 What we’ll cover… • History and development • The contribution of gas to New Zealand’s energy supply • How gas used • Industry structure and the players • Gas policy evolution and the regulatory framework • A look at each key element: − exploration & production − processing − transmission we’ll take a short break here − distribution − wholesale and retail markets − metering − pricing − safety • Gas in a carbon-conscious world • What the future for gas may look like Gas Industry Co 3 What is natural gas? Some terms we’ll be using: • Petajoule (PJ) – Measure of gas volume. 1PJ = 40,000 households or approximate annual gas use of Wanganui. • Gigajoule (GJ) – Also a measure of gas volume. There are one million GJs in a PJ. The average household use is around is around 25GJ per year. • LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Comprising propane and butane components of the gas stream • LNG – Liquefied Natural Gas. Natural gas that is chilled to minus 162C for bulk transport storage in the international market • Condensate – a light oil Gas Industry Co 4 Gas has a long history Oil seeps have been observed in NZ since Maori settlement.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Zealand Gas Story
    FRONT COVER: A new generation of smart gas meters. AN EDMI Helios residential gas meter currently being trialled in New Zealand by Vector Advanced Metering Services. Below it is a graphic read-out of a day’s consumption from one of the households in the trial, together with other usage data that allows the householder to track consumption patterns and facilitate demand management. These meters are manufactured in Malaysia and are starting to be deployed in Europe. Images courtesy of Vector Advanced Metering Services Message from the Chief Executive Gas Industry Co is pleased to publish the third edition of the New Zealand Gas Story. This Report includes developments in the policy, regulatory and operational framework of the industry since the previous edition in April 2014. Gas remains an essential component of New Zealand’s energy supply. It underpins electricity supply security and is the primary energy for many of New Zealand’s largest industries. A number of these are key exporters and for some gas is the effectively the only competitive energy option for their operations. Gas is also a fuel of choice for over 264,000 residential and small business consumers. The gas sector in New Zealand continued to evolve over the past year. A number of indicators remain positive, but the industry is facing some headwinds: the overall market has grown on the back of a return to full three-train methanol production at Methanex. increased petrochemical demand is offset by a continuing trend towards a gas ‘peaking’ role in electricity generation, with a resulting further reduction in gas use for baseload generation.
    [Show full text]
  • Genesis Energy Drives Customer-Centric Growth Strategy with Purchase of Nova Energy Retail LPG Business
    MARKET AND NEWS RELEASE Date: Monday, 1 May 2017 Genesis Energy drives customer-centric growth strategy with purchase of Nova Energy retail LPG business Genesis to acquire Nova Energy retail LPG business for $192 million Increase in market share, from 3% to 19% Significant value created through vertical integration, scale and margin benefits Strong foundation for delivering integrated customer offering and innovations Acquisition of Nova Energy Retail LPG Business Genesis Energy Limited (GNE) today said it was delighted to announce an agreement to acquire the LPG distribution assets and LPG customer base of Nova Energy, a subsidiary of the Todd Corporation, for total consideration of $192 million. “This is an important day for Genesis Energy. The transaction builds on our recent highly successful organic growth in LPG over the last 12 months. It will significantly accelerate our growth aspirations in the key LPG market consistent with our announced strategy which the company outlined last year,” said Genesis Energy chair Dame Jenny Shipley. “The Nova acquisition is the second significant transaction we’ve made in the past year, and is great news for our customers,” said Genesis CEO Marc England. “Genesis Energy will now become New Zealand’s second-largest LPG retailer by number of customers, with our market share leaping from 3% to 19%.” Mr England said that by growing its LPG business in this way the company could keep innovating in ways that benefitted its customers throughout New Zealand. Genesis Energy has a unique position in the industry, combining three fuels on one billing and customer management platform, allowing complete integration of the customer experience.
    [Show full text]
  • Nova Energy Limited (Nova) Welcomes the Opportunity to Provide a Submission to the Commerce Commission in Relation to Its Mobile Market Study – Preliminary Findings
    28 June 2019 Andrew Harrison Commerce Commission [email protected] BY EMAIL Submission to the Commerce Commission: Mobile Market Study – Preliminary Findings Introduction 1. Nova Energy Limited (Nova) welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Commerce Commission in relation to its Mobile Market Study – Preliminary Findings. 2. By way of background, Nova is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Todd Corporation, which has been one of New Zealand’s leading energy explorers and producers for around 60 years. Todd Generation Limited, also a wholly owned subsidiary of The Todd Corporation, holds an interest in approximately 170 megawatts of installed power generation capacity. Nova is a supplier of electricity and natural gas to wholesale, retail and industrial markets. In 2018 Nova entered the telecommunications market and currently supplies fixed-line broadband and voice services to residential customers. 3. Nova has recently purchased Total Consumer Services Limited and its corporate group (trading as MegaTEL). The MegaTEL business continues to operate as a standalone division of Nova, meaning that Nova is now an MVNO. This has prompted us to become engaged in the Commission’s Mobile Market Study and submit at this stage of the Study. 4. We have kept our submission brief and have focussed primarily on the Commission’s preliminary findings on MVNOs and general development of the mobile market (i.e. we have not focussed on the Commission’s other preliminary findings regarding consumer engagement). 5. Nova would be happy to meet with the Commission to further discuss our submission and the position of fringe MVNOs in New Zealand, as well as the regulatory options (as recommended below) that would better ensure an effective wholesale MVNO market can develop in New Zealand.
    [Show full text]
  • THE NEW ZEALAND GAS STORY the State and Performance of the New Zealand Gas Industry
    THE NEW ZEALAND GAS STORY The state and performance of the New Zealand gas industry SIXTH EDITION | DECEMBER 2017 Message from the Chief Executive Gas Industry Co is pleased to publish this sixth edition of the New Zealand Gas Story. It includes developments in the policy, regulatory and operational framework of the industry since the previous edition was published in July 2017. The New Zealand gas industry continues to make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s energy supply and is performing well against Government policy and consumer expectations. However, as Gas Industry Co has been signalling for some time, the role of gas in New Zealand has been changing. This has particularly been driven by three interrelated factors: development of new energy technologies and associated consumer preferences; low upstream investment in a low oil price environment over recent years, with resulting impacts on gas reserves; and developing responses to climate change. The key additional factor which will drive further change is the developing policies of the new Labour- led Coalition Government. Climate change policies included in the new Government’s list of priorities will undoubtedly be a significant influence on upstream and other investment. Coalition agreements provide for introducing a Zero Carbon Act and an independent Climate Commission, based on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, and for gradual inclusion of the agriculture sector in the Emissions Trading Scheme. The Labour/Greens Agreement includes requesting the Climate Commission to plan the transition to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2035 in a normal hydrological year. For the moment, gas contributes around 22 percent of New Zealand’s primary energy, and provides over 277,000 New Zealand homes and businesses with secure and affordable energy.
    [Show full text]