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Annual Report of the Ministry of Economic Development for the Year Ended 30 June 2006

[ Last Updated 13 October 2006 ]


Output Expense > Policy Advice on Energy and Resource Issues

Description

This output expense provides policy advice on the effective operation of energy and resource markets (electricity, oil, gas, geothermal, coal, minerals and other natural resources).

Quantity, Quality, Timeliness and Cost

Work Programme

All policy advice projects were delivered in accordance with the terms of the work programme as agreed with the Minister. Changes to deadlines were negotiated with the Minister.

The following outputs were included in this output expense for 2005/06.

Electricity

This output involves monitoring and advising government on effective governance and operation of the electricity market and implementation of regulations as required. In particular, it will ensure that electricity industry arrangements and policy settings promote reliability, good environmental outcomes and efficient and fair prices, focusing on the following.

Efficient management of security of supply, including dry-year risk (both short- and long-term).

The reserve generation plant at Whirinaki and other elements of the Electricity Commission's (EC) reserve energy policy operated effectively, especially in the summer and autumn, during which hydro inflows were abnormally low.

Effective wholesale and retail competition.

Quarterly reports on retail prices were provided to the Minister, including analysis of trends in prices and the various price drivers. Work has also commenced on reviewing the effectiveness of current arrangements in the electricity sector. The industry was consulted on proposals to amend legislation providing for separation of line services from generation and retailing.

Effective governance of the electricity sector.

Ministry of Economic Development officials have continued to provide ongoing advice in relation to the Electricity Commission's (EC) work on the operation of the electricity market under the Electricity Governance Rules and Regulations, including providing advice to Ministers on proposed rule changes.

Efficient line services (including transmission security and efficient prices).

Officials continued to work closely with the EC and Transpower on a number of significant transmission issues, including the proposed upgrade of the transmission line between South Waikato and Auckland.

The industry was consulted on a proposal to better integrate the regulatory roles of the Commerce Commission and the EC.

Fuels and Crown Resources

This output involves monitoring and advising government on effective operation of the gas and oil markets, including fuel quality and implementation of regulations as required. The output also involves advice on the allocation and management of natural resources, particularly Crown-owned resources, and Treaty of Waitangi claims in respect of natural resources, in particular, ensuring that gas industry governance and market arrangements are implemented by market participants to promote a smooth transition to the post-Maui environment, focusing on the following:

  • Security of supply in the gas sector.
  • Effective governance of the gas sector.
  • Effective wholesale market arrangements.
  • Open access to the Maui pipeline.

Improving the regulatory environment on gas pipelines.

The Gas Industry Company (GIC) is well established and staffed and is now concentrating on producing the set of rules for the gas industry as required by the Government Policy Statement (GPS). Open access to the Maui Pipeline is in place and appears to be working well. "Control" of Powerco and Vector gas networks has been put in place by the Commerce Commission.

Energy and the Environment

This output involves contributing to policy advice on the development of a response to New Zealand's climate change obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, monitoring and providing advice on plans and policies under the Resource Management Act (RMA), and contributing to the development of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action for freshwater. In 2005/06 the output included the following.

Participating actively in the inter-departmental process relating to the development of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action for freshwater.

The Ministry provided significant input (including seconding a senior analyst to MfE for three months) to the development of a water policy package released by Ministers in May 2006.

Participating actively in the development of advice on the domestic climate change policy package, as coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment (Climate Change Office).

The Ministry made a significant contribution to the review of climate change policy (including seconding an analyst full time). Briefings were provided to Ministry of Economic Development Ministers on the outcomes of the review. The Ministry is also leading the energy sector work programme for climate change through development of the New Zealand Energy Strategy (NZES).

Monitoring and advising on policies and plans under the RMA with respect to their potential impact on significant energy developments, infrastructure and renewable energy sources.

The Ministry provided submissions under the Resource Management Act (RMA) on wind, hydro, geothermal and Marsden B. The Ministry is continuing its involvement in the resolution of appeals to the Environment Court of the Environment Waikato geothermal plan.

Sustainable Energy

This output involves leading the inter-departmental process relating to the development of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action on Energy, in particular the following.

Development of a framework for energy policy over the medium- to long-term.

With one exception, report backs on Sustainable Energy have been deferred and incorporated in the development of a New Zealand Energy Strategy (NZES). A report was provided to Cabinet in May 2006 on energy research priorities jointly with MoRST, with further work incorporated into the NZES process. The Ministry also completed an evaluation of the Sustainable Development Programme of Action (SDPOA) on Energy.

Crown Entity Monitoring

Monitoring and reporting to the Minister on the financial and non-financial performance of the Electricity Commission was provided as reflected through:

  • the Statement of Intent;
  • the Output Plan; and
  • management reports (for reference as appropriate to the Minister).

No formal requests for renewals or appointments were made during 2005/06.

Cost

(Figures are GST exclusive)

  2006
Main
Estimates
$000
2006
Supplementary
Estimates
$000
2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Revenue:        
Crown 3,860 4,077 4,009 4,590
Other 169 169 146 14
Total Revenue 4,029 4,246 4,155 4,604
Expenses:        
Annual appropriations 4,029 4,246 4,155 4,604
Other appropriations - - - -
Total Expenses 4,029 4,246 4,155 4,604
Net Surplus/(Deficit) - - - -

Sources of Revenue Other

  2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Petroleum monitoring fees 105 -
Inter-departmental cost recovery 39 11
Miscellaneous 2 3
Total Revenue Other 146 14

Major Budget Variances

The Supplementary Estimates increase reflected a transfer from Energy and Resource Information Services ($137,000) and a transfer from Administration of Gas and Electricity Regulations ($80,000), to meet cost pressures including those related to judicial review proceedings.

The variance between 2005/06 and 2004/05 actual expenses is mainly due to one-off expenditure associated with open access negotiations around the Maui gas pipeline, water allocation consultation and the sustainable development programme of action on energy.

Output Expense > Management of the Crown Mineral Estate

Description

This output expense provides services relating to the development and management of the Crown's petroleum and mineral resources, comprising all in-ground petroleum, gold and silver, and approximately half of the coal and other minerals. The three principal services provided under this output are:

  • allocation of interests in the Crown mineral estate and monitoring ongoing regulatory compliance;
  • promoting international investment in exploration and production; and
  • providing policy advice on matters affecting the Crown's interests in petroleum and minerals.

Quantity, Quality, Timeliness and Cost

(Performance standards for outputs other than policy advice are in brackets where applicable.)

Work Programme

All policy advice projects were delivered in accordance with the terms of the work programme as agreed with the Minister. Changes to deadlines were negotiated with the Minister.

The following outputs were included in this output expense for 2005/06.

Petroleum and Minerals Policy

This output provides policy advice on the management of the Crown mineral estate, including periodic reviews of the Crown Minerals Act and preparation of minerals programmes and regulations prescribed under the Crown Minerals Act 1991. The 2005/06 work programme included the following.

Completion and publication of a new Minerals Programme for Minerals and Coal by 31 December 2005.

Delays during the Cabinet approval process have affected the delivery of this programme. The completion and publication of the new Minerals Programme for Minerals and Coal is due for completion by December 2006.

Conduct a review of fee regulations and implementation of any associated changes by 31 December 2005.

Delays during the Cabinet approval process have affected the fee regulations review and implementation of associated changes. Fees were agreed by Cabinet on 29 May 2006 and work is scheduled for completion and implementation by December 2006.

Petroleum and Minerals Investment

This output involves promoting New Zealand for international and domestic investment to enable the Crown's petroleum and mineral resources to contribute to the economic development of New Zealand. In 2005/06 the output included the following.

Identifying and pursuing overseas organisations likely to invest in exploration and production, particularly in oil and gas.

Promotion of relevant financial, geo-technical and other investment data.

Promotion of New Zealand's petroleum and mineral resources at key international conferences.

Officials carried out visits to 5 Australian, 3 Asian and 25 North American exploration companies in 2005/06 to promote the Crown Mineral Estate. Officials also presented to conferences at the Southeast Asia Petroleum Exploration Society, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy promoting the estate.

Permit Allocation and Regulatory Compliance

This output provides an efficient and effective management regime for the exploration of petroleum, mineral and coal resources, including allocating and managing prospecting, exploration and mining permits; managing the geo-technical resource data; and collecting all royalties, levies and fees payable to the Crown.

Quantity

Permit applications processed:

  • 143 (175) permit applications; and
  • 314 (250) permit change applications.

The decrease in the numbers of permit applications is a direct correlation between number of permits and area of land under permit. Due to an increased volume of acreage applications, the total number of permits has reduced.

The increase in the numbers of permit change applications is a result of significant increases in commodity prices, especially gold and oil, and there has been a significant rise in activity within the New Zealand petroleum and minerals industry. The effect of this is that permit holders have requested more extensions of durations to maintain rights to acreage and additional investors have applied for sections 41s to farm into opportunities.

Estimated Crown revenue collected:

  • > Royalties - $64.3 ($47.1) million; and
  • > Energy resource levies - $73.1 ($71.5) million.

Royalties collected were higher than forecast due to higher oil prices reflecting on petroleum production royalties.

Quality

Petroleum and mineral permits (including licences) were monitored for compliance with work programme conditions to ensure the integrity of the allocation system by conducting on-site field inspections on:

  • 31 (35) mineral/coal mining permits; and
  • 22 (25) mineral/coal prospecting and exploration permits.
  • Fifteen (a minimum of 15) compliance audits of energy resource levy or royalty payers were undertaken with any shortfalls pursued.
Timeliness
  • 91% (90%) of new permit applications that were priority one10 (including changes to area, minerals and duration) were processed within five working days following receipt of the Land and Minerals Status Report, completion of iwi consultation, and all other permit holder obligations.
  • 100% (95%) of permits with outstanding fees or royalty obligations had compliance action commenced within one month of due date.

Cost

(Figures are GST exclusive)

  2006
Main
Estimates
$000
2006
Supplementary
Estimates
$000
2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Revenue:        
Crown 3,079 3,454 3,425 3,178
Other 3,785 4,121 3,909 3,225
Total Revenue 6,864 7,575 7,334 6,403
Expenses:        
Annual appropriations 6,770 7,481 7,474 6,352
Other appropriations - - - -
Total Expenses 6,770 7,481 7,474 6,352
Net Surplus/(Deficit) 94 94 (140) 51

Sources of Revenue Other

  2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Petroleum 1,701 1,534
Minerals/mining 1,200 1,066
Coal permit annual fee 537 378
Conferences 353 34
Other fees 62 191
Total fees 3,853 3,203
Inter-departmental cost recovery 49 21
Miscellaneous 7 1
Total Revenue Other 3,909 3,225

Major Budget Variances

The Supplementary Estimates increase mainly reflected a transfer from the Provision of Climate Change Unit Register and Information to meet litigation costs associated with management of the Crown Mineral Estate ($375,000) and increased activity for permit fees ($336,000).

The variance between the Supplementary Estimates and actual Revenue Other reflects lower than predicted levels of registration for the petroleum conference ($353,000 actual revenue against forecast $590,000).

The variance between 2005/06 and 2004/05 actual expenses mainly reflects the 2006 Petroleum Conference and the increased litigation costs incurred by the Ministry.

Output Expense > Administration of Gas and Electricity Regulations

Description

This output expense provides advice on the administration of gas and electricity safety and associated policy work, and administers regimes on supply, quality and measurement for gas and electricity safety; petroleum quality monitoring; electrical worker licensing; and information disclosure for the gas industry.

Quantity, Quality, Timeliness and Cost

(Performance standards are in brackets where applicable.)

Energy Safety Advice

This output involves advice on energy safety issues associated with the safe supply and use of gas and electricity. Projects for 2005/06 included the following.

Provide support for the passage of the Energy Safety Review Bill and the Ministry of Energy Abolition Bill (LPG Levy) in accordance with the legislative timetable.

The Ministry of Energy Abolition Bill (LPG Levy) is awaiting Government agreement to proceed. The Energy Safety Review Bill, parts 5-8 (relating to Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers) are before the Commerce Select Committee. Parts 1-4 of the Bill were reported back to the House and await the second reading.

Review and amend the Electricity Regulations 1997 as required to reflect the development of standards and new technology.

This work is dependent on the passage of the Energy Safety Review Bill of which progress is noted above.

Quality

Generic quality performance measures for policy advice, Ministerial services and briefings as detailed in the Ministry of Economic Development's Quality Standards for Policy Advice and Ministerial Servicing applied to this output.

Energy Safety Enforcement and Conformance

This output involves operating an effective investigation, compliance, enforcement and communication regime for gas and electricity safety, including reviewing and implementing changes in legislation, regulations and standards.

In addition to the delivery of specified outputs, the Ministry of Economic Development undertook a "future directions" review of the Energy Safety Service. This review was highly consultative, involving 60 interviews with ESS and other Ministry staff, other regulators, industry, consumer representatives and educators.

Quantity
  • 84 (80) audits of networks and distribution systems, and installations and appliances were undertaken.
  • 69 (50-70) significant gas and electricity accidents and incidents, where there was serious injury or loss as defined in section 16 of the Electricity Act 1992 and section 17 of the Gas Act 199211were investigated.
Quality

The Energy Safety Service has undergone a broad review, involving significant stakeholder consultation. The review has highlighted a range of policy and procedure issues, which will be worked through in the 2006/07 year.

Timeliness
  • 90% (90%) of audit and inspection reports were completed within 30 working days of the audit or inspection.
  • 90% (90%) of accident investigations were responded to and action commenced within 24 hours of notification of the accident.

Petroleum Monitoring

Quantity
  • The Ministry oversaw the testing of a minimum of 101 (90) sample sets12in accordance with a statistically-based sampling plan to meet the requirements of the Petroleum Products Specifications Regulations 2002.
  • 90 sample sets is a minimum standard. Additional sample sets were taken for further validation.
Quality
  • All (all) testing laboratory reports on petroleum quality were reviewed monthly to ensure that appropriate action had been taken on the test results and report recommendations.
Timeliness
  • 100% (95%) of analysis of results from petroleum testing laboratories and recommendations were completed within 15 working days from receipt of reports.

Electrical Workers Licensing

Quantity
  • 1,873 (1,000) electrical workers' registrations were actioned.
  • 26,187 (20,500) practising licenses were issued.
  • 5,000 (5,000) telephone competency audits of registered electrical workers who had not uplifted a practising licence were conducted.
  • 34 (200) competency audits of electrical workers who held a provisional licence and/or were supervised trainees were conducted.

Electrical workers' registrations are demand driven. The increase in 2005/06 is due to an increase in the number of New Zealand trained people completing their National Certificates as well as an increase in the number of overseas trained people obtaining registration.

The decrease in competency audits conducted is due to the difficulties experienced in contacting electrical workers to be audited, particularly supervised trainees. The Electrical Workers Licensing Group is continuing to work with the industry to complete the outstanding audits.

Quality
  • All (all) decisions by the Registrar that were referred to the Electrical Workers Registration Board complied with the Electricity Act 1992, Electricity Regulations 1997 and with published policies.
Timeliness

Licensing and Registrations:

  • 95% (95%) of correctly completed practice licensing applications were processed within 10 clear business days of receipt.
  • 95% (95%) of correctly completed registration applications (New Zealand based trainees) were processed within 10 clear business days of receipt.
  • 69% (65%) of correctly completed overseas registration applications were processed within 10 clear business days of receipt.

Complaints:

  • 81% (70%) of complaints against registered electrical workers were processed to notification of the Complaints Assessment Committee decision (subject to external parties, e.g. legal intervention) within 18 weeks.
  • 95% (70%) of complaints against registered electrical workers were processed to notification of the Board's decision (subject to external parties, e.g. legal intervention) within 15 weeks.

Information Disclosure

Quantity and Timeliness

Annual compliance checks of all gas information disclosures were undertaken, with 100% (80%) of checks completed within 60 (60) working days of their receipt by the Ministry.

Any cases of non-compliance will be followed up with the companies concerned within 30 working days of the non-compliance being detected, with the aim of achieving full compliance within 120 working days of the detection (Note in some cases it is possible that prosecution could be required in order to achieve full compliance, and as a result, there could be a considerable delay before full compliance is achieved).

A number of issues were pursued with Vector and Powerco. These were followed up within the 30-day criteria. The issues were not of a substantive nature and were supplied, where appropriate, within 120 working days.

Quality

All financial information disclosures were accompanied by an audit certificate.

All information disclosures were accompanied by a declaration form completed by a Director of the company concerned.

All information entered into the Ministry database was subject to validation checks for accuracy and completeness.

Cost

(Figures are GST exclusive)

  2006
Main
Estimates
$000
2006
Supplementary
Estimates
$000
2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Revenue:        
Crown 896 816 772 828
Other 8,444 8,330 8,668 7,635
Total Revenue 9,340 9,146 9,440 8,463
Expenses:        
Annual appropriations 9,250 8,846 8,791 8,221
Other appropriations - - - -
Total Expenses 9,250 8,846 8,791 8,221
Net Surplus 90 300 649 242

Sources of Revenue Other

  2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Certificate of compliance sales 1,290 1,142
Practising licence fees 1,966 1,646
Other electrical workers licensing group fees 650 484
Electrical levies 3,450 3,103
Gas levies 801 815
Petroleum fuels monitoring levy 463 416
Total fees and levies 8,620 7,606
Cost recovery - -
Inter-departmental cost recovery 37 24
Net gain on sale of fixed assets - -
Miscellaneous 11 5
Total Revenue Other 8,668 7,635

Major Budget Variances

The Supplementary Estimates changes mainly reflected a transfer to Policy Advice on Energy and Resource Issues to meet cost pressures (-$80,000) and a delay in the passage of LPG levy legislation enabling additional funding of energy safety activities, due to the changing priorities of the legislative programme (-$759,000), partly offset by demand driven increases in activity funded by electrical workers fees ($265,000) and the electricity levy ($170,000).

The variance between the Supplementary Estimates and actual Revenue Other mainly reflects an even higher than anticipated demand driven increase in electrical workers' activity.

The variance between 2005/06 and 2004/05 actual expenses reflects a corresponding demand driven increase in costs in addition to extra energy safety work being undertaken.

Output Expense > Provision of Climate Change Unit Register and Information

Description

This output expense provides services relating to the development, implementation and operation of a register to enable the allocation and trading of climate change units under the Climate Change Response Act 2002. This Act was passed in order to meet New Zealand's obligations under the Kyoto Protocol which came into force on 16 February 2005. The first Commencement Period will start on 1 January 2008 and current indications are that the register may be required for international audit in 2006.

Quantity, Quality, Timeliness and Cost

The work programme, which was delivered as agreed with the Minister, included:

Preparation of a business case and project budget for the Minister's approval.

The business case and project budget were completed and project budget approved.

Development or definition of detailed user requirements.

Detailed requirements for the core register have been completed. Finalising requirements for New Zealand's connection to the International Transaction Log (ITL) have been delayed pending the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) starting development of the ITL.

Input into the international registry administrators' group coordinated by the Secretariat of the UNFCCC.

The Ministry of Economic development has contributed to the international registry administrators' group with further meetings scheduled for 2006/07.

Quality and Timeliness

Implementation of the register will be in accordance with the Ministry of Economic Development standards and practices for information technology projects. This work will also need to comply with the international requirements for national registers as specified by the UNFCCC in their technical documentation.

Implementation of the core register has been split into two phases - the core register and connection to the ITL. Development of the core register is on schedule to be completed by September 2006, but development of the connections to the ITL is delayed until the UNFCCC starts work on development of the ITL.

Cost

(Figures are GST exclusive)

  2006
Main
Estimates
$000
2006
Supplementary
Estimates
$000
2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Revenue:        
Crown 1,556 919 774 242
Other - - - -
Total Revenue 1,556 919 774 242
Expenses:        
Annual appropriations 1,556 919 774 242
Other appropriations - - - -
Total Expenses 1,556 919 774 242
Net Surplus/(Deficit) - - - -

Major Budget Variances

The Supplementary Estimates decrease reflected transfers to meet litigation costs associated with management of the Crown Mineral Estate (-$375,000) and cost pressures within Vote: Communications (-$575,000), partly offset by a transfer from 2004/05 arising from timing issues around the development of business requirements for a New Zealand National Unit Register ($313,000).

The variance between Supplementary Estimates and actual expenses is due to ongoing delays in completing detailed business specifications for the New Zealand Register resulting from the UNFCCC delaying provision of technical specifications for data exchange.

The variance between 2005/06 and 2004/05 actual expenses largely reflects the phase of the project and costs of developing the business requirements for the New Zealand register, despite continuing delays in the UNFCCC completing their documentation for the data exchange standards.

Output Expense > Energy and Resource Information Services

Description

This output expense covers the provision of information and technical advice on energy and resources, the management of the response to any international disruption in oil supplies, and the management of New Zealand's energy-related international relationships.

Quantity, Quality, Timeliness and Cost

Outputs in this output expense in 2005/06 included the following.

Updating and publishing Energy Data files, the Energy Sector Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, and the Sustainable Energy Futures.

Two Energy Data Files were published during the year, in September 2005 (July edition) and April 2006 (March edition).

The publication of the June 2006 Energy Sector Greenhouse Gas Inventory report was deferred with the agreement of the Minister. This report was published in August 2006.

The Energy Outlook (Sustainable Energy Futures) report was substantially completed by June 2006, with the document published in August 2006.

Updating and publishing crude oil, petrol and diesel prices.

The Ministry of Economic Development's website was updated weekly.

Managing New Zealand's response to any international disruption to oil supplies.

The Ministry appointed technical and legal contractors to implement government's oil stock decisions. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was developed in consultation with industry and released on 15 November 2005. Based on responses to the RFP, further advice was provided to Cabinet on the details for a tender round and extending bilateral arrangements to include Europe and the United States. Bilateral discussion on arrangements for oil stocks have occurred with Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands following Cabinet decisions in May 2006.

An Oil Emergency Response Manual is being prepared and a discussion document has also been prepared for consultation during early 2006/07.

Managing New Zealand's international energy relationships.

Coordinated an International Energy Agency (IEA) review team visit in October 2005. The final report of the IEA review was released on 11 May 2006.

Supported attendance of Business Representatives at APEC EWG meetings in 2005 and 2006. A New Zealand business representative was invited to chair the APEC Energy Business Network for 2006/07.

Attended APEC EWG meetings in August 2005 in Korea and May 2006 in Singapore. A New Zealand delegation attended the Energy Ministerial meeting in Korea in October 2005.

Supported the attendance of New Zealand experts at various international energy meetings and contributed to the New Zealand position for CSD-14 session on Climate Change and Energy in May 2006.

Maintained a watching brief on the activities of Australian Ministerial Councils.

Timeliness

All publications and briefings will be produced to deadlines specified in the Ministry of Economic Development Output Plan.

There were some small delays due to data sourcing taking longer than expected.

Quality

Generic quality performance measures for policy advice, Ministerial services and briefings as detailed in the Ministry of Economic Development's Quality Standards for Policy Advice and Ministerial Servicing applied to this output expense.

All material produced for publication was reviewed for completeness and accuracy prior to publication in accordance with internal systems and procedures, and where relevant, international requirements.

Cost

(Figures are GST exclusive)

  2006
Main
Estimates
$000
2006
Supplementary
Estimates
$000
2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Revenue:        
Crown 1,439 1,302 1,302 709
Other 989 1,769 1,003 1,158
Total Revenue 2,428 3,071 2,305 1,867
Expenses:        
Annual appropriations 1,462 1,325 1,302 709
Other appropriations 966 1,746 1,480 1,063
Total Expenses 2,428 3,071 2,782 1,772
Net Surplus/(Deficit) - - (477) 95

Sources of Revenue Other

  2006
Actual
$000
2005
Actual
$000
Petroleum fuels monitoring levy 962 1,117
Sale of publications 19 32
Inter-departmental cost recovery 22 9
Total Revenue Other 1,003 1,158

Major Budget Variances

The Supplementary Estimates increase in funding reflected work on meeting International Energy Agency obligations for reserve oil stocks ($780,000), partly offset by a transfer to Policy Advice on Energy and Resource Issues to meet cost pressures (-$137,000).

The variance between the Supplementary Estimates and actual Revenue Other mainly reflects the decision not to fund the oil stocks work by industry levy, as originally intended.

The variance between Supplementary Estimates and actual expenses is due to the oil stocks project requiring less dedicated resources than originally anticipated.

The variance between 2005/06 and 2004/05 actual expenses mainly reflects the additional work on meeting International Energy Agency obligations for reserve oil stocks.


10 Applications for a permit are processed numerically in the order in which they are received; first application received is priority one, second is priority two etc.

11 The Energy Safety Service are now concentrating resources on these significant accidents and incidents.

12 Each sample set typically consists of three samples for testing.



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