A flotilla is being organised to go out to the oil rig that is currently drilling 50 kilometres off Raglan. Australian oil exploration company Origin Energy started drilling on Thursday 5th about 50km off the coast of Raglan. The exploratory well Tarapunga-1,will determine if there is a commercial gas or oil field offshore. There is about a one in ten possibility if finding a reserve. The Chinese owned Kan Tan IV semi-submersible drilling rig, managed by Australian Drilling Associates, arrived on site after abandoning the Korimako-1 well near the Manukau Harbour entrance.
Origin Energy, has warning boats off the Raglan coast to stay at least 500m away from the Kan Tan IV which is drilling in about 100 metres of water. The drilling is expected to take about 15 days.
When the protest group reaches the oil rig, a group of surfers will enter the water to hold protest banners. The protesters are hoping that a television station will fly over the protest to record it from a helicopter.
There will also be a shore based protest starting at 12 noon at Manu Bay boat ramps on Saturday November 13th.
Update 11/10:
Invite to protest from
Phil McCabeDate: 11 November 2010 1:27:22 PM +1300
Subject: Here they come.
Hello all, as I am sure you are aware we have an oil rig off our coast as you read this. In addition, Rio Tinto is in the shadows ready to mine our sand from the seabed and coastline.If we like our home the way it is then it is time to get up stand up….!Saturday 12 noon at Manu Bay, music, speakers, BBQ. It’s our day to meet up, speak up and get informed on some of the issues on our horizon. In particular the oil rig that is out there right now!!Tell your friends, dust off your boards, bring a picnic, voice your concerns and enjoy the company!!See you there!PhilHere is a link to B-RAD (Board Riders Against Drilling) Facebook page. Check it out
Kiaora,
Who is the main person from Greenpeace whom has organised protest at Raglan this weekend the 13th and who are the Kaumatua and tangata whenua that you have spoken to regarding this issue?
My understanding is that the protest is being organised by local Whaingaroa people. It has nothing to do with Greenpeace.
I heard about this through a friend who I happen to know through Greenpeace, but Rodger is right, Greenpeace as an organisati0n has nothing whatsoever to do with this.
nobody minds your right to protest but try and get your facts right because it’s all round embarrasing for alot reasons. Firstly it’s not an oil rig. it’s a drilling rig. Secondly the rig has apparently finished it’s drilling in kiwi waters and heading back to australia in the next few days. And lastly many of the guys working on the rig are actually surfers themselves. come dow nto new plymout hand try the same thign and see whereit gets you. I suppose you protestor wantabbes don’t drive oil fueled cars , or enjoy gas fueled bbq’s, or many other fossil fuel lifestyles benefits. Get a grip and next time you wanta protest get more informed – steve