Dougal McGowanProtesters are vowing direct action in southern waters after oil giant OMV was yesterday cleared to drill up to 10 exploration wells off the Otago coast beginning this summer. Oil Free Otago spokesman Jack Brazil also criticised the move and said protesters would be waiting for the oil giant when it arrived in southern waters. Rigorous monitoring would be needed to ensure any environmental impact from a drilling programme was managed, but the city could also benefit economically if it was used as a support base for OMV, he said. The EPA, in granting approval, concluded that the possible effects of the drilling were ‘‘not significant’’ and environmental monitoring would be required before and after drilling. OMV Australasia senior vice-president Gabriel Selischi said the company had put a lot of work into ensuring the drilling programme met world best practice.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 17, 2019 15:22 UTC