Exposing the myths> Climate change> Risks of incidents> Economy> 

Risks of incidents

Myth: A Deepwater Horizon-scale oil spill could happen in NZ and destroy our environment.

Reality: There has never been an oil or gas rig explosion in New Zealand but that does not mean an explosion could never occur. We need to minimise the risks as much as possible and have systems for dealing with the unthinkable, in the very unlikely event that it happens. Oil spills are nasty, granted, and have effects for some time afterwards, but can be cleaned up and they are cleaned up. The Government is reviewing these matters, in light of overseas developments, and we support that.

Myth: Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) has caused problems in the US and could destroy water supplies and air quality.

Reality: This is the practice of pumping a mixture of mainly water and sand, modified by approved chemicals, into a well to open fissures in the rock of a deeply-buried gas reservoir or coal seam, to improve the flow of natural gas or coal-seam gas. When done in NZ, great care is taken, because of the law, and for reputational reasons. There have been less than 30 fracking operations in NZ’s petroleum development history, with no adverse environmental effects. (See further information on fracking.)