Petroleum Conference 2017 to be held in New Plymouth

Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ) Chief Executive Cameron Madgwick says the hosting of the New Zealand Petroleum Conference in New Plymouth next year is a vote of confidence in both the region and the industry.

Mr Madgwick says the Conference, which is held annually, is New Zealand’s premier oil and gas event and will be held in the city from 21 – 23 March 2017. 

"The Conference has traditionally been held in Auckland or Wellington, but now is the right time to bring the event to New Plymouth, which is at the heart of New Zealand’s oil and gas industry,” says Mr Madgwick.

“New Plymouth will be a fantastic host city and will allow us to showcase the New Zealand oil and gas industry in action to the over 500 delegates, who will be attending from across the country and around the world.

“While the lower oil price has meant activity has been reduced recently, next year’s Conference provides a fantastic opportunity to not only highlight the future growth potential of the industry in New Zealand, but also show-off the fantastic regional support the industry enjoys from the people of Taranaki as well as show off the best of Taranaki to the delegates.

Mr Madgwick says the Conference, which will be held at the TSB Showplace, will deliver an exciting programme and feature industry leaders, international experts, and representatives from a wide range of organisations.

“We have already confirmed Professor Iain Stewart as our first keynote speaker. Iain is a Professor of Geoscience Communication at Plymouth University in the United Kingdom and has presented a number of science programmes for the BBC, including last year’s hit series Planet Oil.”

Mr Madgwick says New Zealand has a long history of oil and gas production, which is centred in Taranaki.

“The first major commercial field, Kapuni, was commissioned in 1969. Right now there are 20 on and off-shore fields producing oil in gas in the Taranaki basin,” says Mr Madgwick.

“Taranaki, however, is just one of 17 basins in New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone and there is genuine international excitement about the potential of these basins, with a number being currently explored.

“The industry currently contributes around $600 million in Royalties and Company Tax every year and generates around 11,000 jobs directly and indirectly. A significant oil or gas discovery in just one of these other basins would increase these numbers significantly and have major economic benefits for New Zealand.”