Pohokura Pipeline Protection Area

Proposed changes to the Pohokura Pipeline Protection Area:
Public consultation

Please note this consultation closed on 14 September 2009.

The Minister of Transport received a request from Shell Todd Oil Services (Shell) to change the current activities restricted inside the Pohokura pipeline protection area.

Protected areas are established under the Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Act 1996 to protect subsea cables and pipelines from damage. Shell runs subsea pipelines to connect the Pohokura Gas Field with the shore.  The Submarine Cables and Pipelines Protection Order 2006 (Protection Order) established a protected area around these pipelines when they were originally laid in 2006.

The Pohokura Protection Order prohibits commercial fishing entirely, but allows recreational vessels of less than nine metres to fish and anchor in the protected area. At the time the Protection Order was made, this was deemed sufficient protection because the pipelines were laid as a bundle, with the larger pipes protecting the smaller ones. Shell found that drag became an issue for the pipeline and has since unbundled the cables. 

A recent video inspection revealed a small anchor, similar to those used by vessels of less than nine metres, was snagged on one of the pipelines. Shell advises us that the smallest of the pipelines could be damaged by a breaking force of 175 kilograms. Recreational vessels use small diameter polyester anchor lines which have a breaking strength of 600 kilograms or more. Because of this risk of damage to the pipelines, Shell is seeking greater protection by prohibiting the anchoring of any vessel in the protected area. 
 
In analysing the risks, the Ministry of Transport (the Ministry) is considering prohibiting set-netting and long-lining within the protected area also. Recreational set-nets and long-lines use similar anchors and small diameter polyester rope to those used to anchor small recreational vessels. These activities therefore carry similar risks to small boat anchoring and have the potential to damage the pipeline. Normal hook and line recreational fishing would still be allowed in the area as long as no anchoring takes place.

A Protection Order may only be amended by the Governor-General by Order in Council on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport. The Minister must not recommend an amendment unless:

(a) the Minister has first consulted with such persons or organisations representing such persons as the Minister considers would be affected by the order;

(b) those persons or organisations have a reasonable opportunity to make submissions to the Minister; and

(c) the Minister has regard to those submissions.    

To assist the Minister in fulfilling these requirements, the Ministry invites submissions on the proposed changes to the Pohokura protection area, including:

(a)  the request from Shell that all anchoring be prohibited; and

(b)  the proposal from the Ministry that set-netting and long-lining be prohibited.

A copy of the request by Shell and a map of the Pohokura protection area are available here (PDF v7.0, 1.17mb). 

This consultation closed on 14 September 2009.