普卡油气田采矿许可获批
新西兰资源部长沙恩·琼斯表示，一项新的石油开采许可将在未来10年为新西兰国内市场增加天然气供应，同时通过新增石油产量带来可观的出口收入。
新西兰石油和矿产资源监管机构（NZP&M）今日向 Matahio NZ Onshore Limited 授予一项为期10年的石油开采许可，覆盖塔拉纳基地区陆上约19平方公里范围，涉及普卡（Puka）油气田。该油气田于2012年被发现，许可范围还包括具有开发潜力的Oru勘探区。
琼斯表示：“这是过去8年来新西兰第二项获批的石油开采许可，同时也是过去一年左右获批的两项许可之一。这再次表明，新西兰石油行业的发展势头正在增强。”
Matahio估计，现有普卡油气田发现的可采储量约为17万桶石油和13亿立方英尺天然气。
与此同时，一项独立评估显示，Oru勘探区的潜在资源量约为180万桶石油和12亿立方英尺天然气。
新西兰生产的天然气全部供应国内市场，主要用于工业生产，并在可再生能源无法满足需求时用于发电。
塔拉纳基地区生产的轻质高品质原油则主要销往国际市场，通常经过炼制后用于生产石油产品。
琼斯表示，在新西兰天然气储量持续下降、能源安全面临挑战之际，每一个新的能源来源都具有重要意义。
“未来几十年，天然气仍将是新西兰能源结构中的关键组成部分。在水力发电来水不足以及可再生能源发电量下降期间，天然气可以支持电力供应，同时也为许多对新西兰经济至关重要的企业提供能源和原料。”
他表示，普卡油气田新增石油产量将带来出口收入、增加政府特许权使用费收入，并推动当地经济活动。
“当我们以负责任的方式开发自然资源，将其转化为就业、收入和经济增长时，所有新西兰人都将从中受益。”
琼斯表示，此次许可获批显示，塔拉纳基盆地仍然存在资源开发机会，在投资可再生能源及新兴能源技术的同时，负责任的资源开发仍可以发挥重要作用。
他说：“仅凭这一项许可无法解决新西兰面临的能源挑战，但这是朝正确方向迈出的积极一步。随着越来越多新的勘探项目进入筹备阶段，我相信我们正在朝着正确的方向前进。”
琼斯强调，一个具有韧性的能源体系需要保持能源来源多元化。
“这意味着我们需要继续投资可再生能源，支持新兴技术，同时合理利用现有的自然资源。新西兰需要这些不同组成部分共同发挥作用，为家庭和企业提供价格合理、安全可靠的能源。”
Puka field mining permit application approved
A new petroleum mining permit will bring additional natural gas to the domestic market over the next decade and generate valuable export earnings from new oil production, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
Regulator New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) has today granted Matahio NZ Onshore Limited a 10-year petroleum mining permit in the onshore Taranaki region covering approximately 19 sq km for the Puka field, a small oil and gas field discovered in 2012. Included in the permit area is the promising Oru prospect.
“As only the second petroleum mining permit to be granted in the past eight years but one of two granted in the last year or so, this is yet another signal that momentum in New Zealand’s petroleum sector is growing,” Mr Jones says.
Matahio has estimated that the recoverable reserves from the existing Puka discovery are approximately 170,000 barrels of oil and 1.3 billion cubic feet of gas. An independent assessment of the Oru prospect estimates prospective resources of 1.8 million barrels of oil and 1.2 billion cubic feet of gas.
All gas produced in New Zealand is used domestically by industrial users and as a fuel to generate electricity when renewable energy sources can’t meet demand. The light, high-quality oil produced in Taranaki is sold into international markets and typically refined into petroleum products.
“At a time when New Zealand faces ongoing energy security challenges due to our declining gas reserves, every new source helps,” Mr Jones says.
“Gas will continue to remain critical to our energy mix in the decades to come. It supports electricity generation during periods of low hydro inflows and renewable generation, and it provides energy and feedstock for many businesses that are important to our economy.
“The additional oil produced from the Puka Field will generate export revenue, boost royalty revenue and contribute to regional economic activity. All New Zealanders benefit when we responsibly develop our natural resources and convert them into jobs, income and economic growth.”
Mr Jones says today’s decision demonstrates opportunities still exist within the Taranaki basin and that responsible development can continue to play an important role alongside investment in renewable and emerging energy technologies.
“This permit alone will not solve New Zealand’s energy challenges but it is a positive step in the right direction. Together with the growing pipeline of proposed new exploration activity, I’m confident we are moving in the right direction,” Mr Jones says.
“A resilient energy system requires diversity. That means continuing to invest in renewable energy, supporting emerging technologies, and making sensible use of the natural resources we have. New Zealand needs all of these components working together to deliver affordable, secure and reliable energy for households and businesses.”
