June 08, 2021
Taranaki takes on oil field clean up
Taranaki iwi is working with the Ministry for Business Innovation and Employment to decommission some of the region’s offshore oil wells.
Spokesperson Fran Davey says the first step was to take back the tūpuna name from the oil tender Umuroa before the vessel was sent off for recommissioning.
She says there are 600 tonnes of equipment sitting on the seabed which needs to be removed, which will be done during the summer months once consents have been approved.
The iwi is also working on a cultural impact assessment which will guide the way work is done.
"The beauty here is being able to sit at the table with MBIE, being able to observe and advise which has never been as far as we know in the commissioning side of oil production," Ms Davey says.
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