Offshore petroleum health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation review

The HSE review, commissioned in June 2010, concluded that New Zealand’s HSE arrangements for offshore petroleum operations incorporate a number of key characteristics of international best practice. However, there are some areas in which our regulatory framework could be improved.

The report contains eight recommendations for strengthening New Zealand’s HSE regime.

• Read the Comparative Review of Health, Safety and Environmental Legislation for Offshore Petroleum Operations Report - released 14 December 2010 [2 MB PDF]

Thirty-two submissions were received on the review. Submitters were generally supportive of the report recommendations. In particular, most submitters agreed with the need to investigate funding mechanisms and resourcing options, and the need to establish an environmental regulatory framework in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ, 0-12 nautical miles offshore) and the extended continental shelf.

Government is currently considering the feedback and how to implement the report recommendations. Some of the recommendations will be addressed through ongoing work streams, such as the Ministry for the Environment’s work on new environmental legislation for the EEZ and extended continental shelf and the Ministry of Economic Development’s review of the Crown Minerals Act 1991.