The Oil Free Seas Flotilla have today Monday 18th, successfully defended the seas above the site where Texan oil giant Anadarko intends to start drilling. The Anadarko drillship is now in New Zealand waters. It is keeping well clear of Raglan and the Flotilla at the oil well drilling site, despite an official ‘notice to mariners’ stating that Anadarko could have started drilling operations several days ago. There is still no word from the Government on when it will require Anadarko to have an insurance policy with cover greater than the current level of 0.06% of the cost of a spill.
Land Information New Zealand Notices to Mariners Edition 23, dated 8 November says that ‘On or about 15 November 2013 until 14 February 2014 drilling operations will be performed by drillship Noble Bob Douglas’. The drill site is over 100 nautical miles off the west coast of Raglan New Zealand, and in waters around a kilometre and a half deep.
Anadarko said today that it is hopeful it’ll be able to get on with its drilling plans, despite the Oil Free Seas Flotilla giving it an icy welcome. Its New Zealand spokesperson, Alan Seay, says the company hasn’t received any direct threats from protestors stopping it from going about its business. He says there’s still a concern though that protestors may throw it off schedule. “We very much hope they will respect our right to go about our lawful business as we respect their right to protest safely.”
Information discovered today is that Anadarko’s Liberian drillship the Noble Bob Douglas does not have a capping stack on board or one available in New Zealand. It would require this equipment to cap the flow if there was a blowout. To fly one to New Zealand would require six giant transport aircraft and take at least ten days.
The Oil Free Seas Flotilla is made up of six boats. They were cheered off by hundreds of New Zealanders from various ports earlier this week.
They are continuing to defend the site from the Noble Bob Douglas drilling ship, which has not yet been tested to drill at these depths.
Bunny McDiarmid, the executive director of Greenpeace, is onboard one of the boats. She said:
“The Texan oil giant Anadarko were supposed to start drilling days ago. But they haven’t.
“I reckon there’s something wrong with their huge, untested drilling ship, or they’re staying away while we’re right above the spot where they want to drill. Either way, it’s great to see that they’re not drilling.
“That’s great news for our seas, our beaches, and also our economy, and our children’s prosperity.”
This Saturday, New Zealanders can show their support for the flotilla by making a banner and getting down to their favourite west coast beach. There’s lots more details here.
The Oil Free Seas Flotilla is a loose association of individuals and boat owners who oppose deep-sea drilling and the new legislation that takes away New Zealander’s long-standing right to peacefully protest at sea. One of the boats taking part, the Vega, also sailed against French nuclear tests in the Pacific.
Earlier this year, the Government announced a controversial new law to ban aspects of protesting at sea, known as the ‘Anadarko Amendment’.
When you say, “There’s lots more details here”, do you mean https://www.facebook.com/events/607083666005148/?previousaction=join&source=1 ?
Thanks John. I’ve put in a link to the Banners on the Beach website and then with your Facebook one, people now have both to view.