In October 2012, the United States based Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in partnership with Australian based Origin Energy intend to start deep-sea oil-drilling in the Canterbury Basin (exploration permit PEP 38262), about 60 km off the coast of Dunedin.

The global oil giants Shell and OMV are also currently exploring the Great South Basin for new oil and gas reserves (exploration permit PEP 50119) with the intent to extract these resources in the near future, also just off the coast of Dunedin.

· Anadarko had a 25% share in the project that caused the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill, Gulf of Mexico in 2010,  spilling over 600,000 tonnes of oil into the sea.

· Shell spilled nearly 14,000 tonnes of crude oil into the creeks of the Niger Delta in 2011.

· The RENA oil disaster in 2011 spilled about 1700 tonnes of oil, a relatively small spill that has cost New Zealand an estimated $130 million in clean up, cost the lives of thousands of animals and destroyed ecosystems that will take many years to recover.

Deep-sea oil-drilling is of major concern in the Otago region (and New Zealand) because of the alarming environmental and economic risks that face our people, land and sea. Global oil giants are not welcome to drill in our coastal waters. There are currently no adequate protection measures in place to protect our environment from a deep sea oil disaster. New Zealand will lose 95% of the profits gained from drilling our seabed, yet we will bear 100% of the cost when something goes wrong. History tells us that it is only a matter of time before we pay the price. Surely it’s not worth taking such a risk?

What do we risk by allowing these oil companies to drill thousands of kilometers into our seabed? 

1) Our wildlife - The Otago marine environment includes many unique and fragile ecosystems, and is home to many species, including seabirds, shorebirds, whales, dolphins, fur seals and sea lions. A deep sea oil disaster will leave our local marine flora and fauna vulnerable to the toxic effects of oil.

2) Our fishing industry - Commercial seafood exports consistently rank as New Zealand's fourth or fifth largest export earner, while recreational fishing is one New Zealand's most popular activities. A deep sea oil disaster will directly impact our local fisheries resulting in both the loss of valuable fish stocks and the loss of industry jobs.

3) Our tourism industry - The pristine coastlines and unique wildlife of Otago attract tens of thousands of international tourists annually, injecting an economic boost into the region.  A deep sea oil disaster will have a pivotal role in tourists' decisions to visit the Otago region.

4) Our recreational water sports - Otago offers unparalleled opportunities for ocean sports such as surfing, kayaking, wind surfing, jet skiing, diving and boating. A deep sea oil disaster will invariably impact many local businesses, organisations, and individuals who enjoy Otago's waters.

5) Our assets - We should be protecting our national assets, not selling them off to be exploited by foreign corporations, or endangering them by oil drilling without adequate safety measures. 

6) Our climate - The climate change impacts of fossil fuels are disastrous. New Zealand should be investing in clean energy solutions instead of investing in extracting the last drops of oil from the ends of the earth. We should be climate pioneers not fossil fools. 

7) Our coastal way of life -  This is a fundamental part of being a kiwi, and we must protect it for ourselves, and for generations to come.

No deep-sea oil drilling in Otago!

Join our facebook GROUP to take direct action: http://www.facebook.com/groups/oilfreeotago/

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Visit us at www.oilfreeotago.org to find out more.

Thank you for your continued support for this campaign to help protect Otago from the negative effects of deep sea oil drilling.