Tui Decommissioning Tui Oil Field Decommissioning

On 26 March 2021, Te Kāhui o Taranaki signed a partnership agreement with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE), to work together to decommission the Tui Oil Field which is situated 50 kms offshore of Oaonui. This partnership approach is a first and is a departure from the traditional consultation process of the Government with iwi. It provides a wonderful opportunity for further partnership and collaboration on future decommissioning projects and on other matters relevant to iwi.

Through this partnership, MBIE have committed to ensure cultural values and interests are recognised, understood and responded to throughout the decommissioning project. This is the first offshore decommission for New Zealand, for Te Kāhui o Taranaki and a first for MBIE.

Te Kāhui o Taranaki established an Ohu of highly skilled professionals connected to their hapū and Iwi, who have collective skills and experience to contribute to this important kaupapa. We were fortunate to bring together a team with experience in local and national government policy and process, the oil and gas industry and the business sector. The team is led by Fran Davey (Engagement Lead) supported by Te Uraura Nganeko, Geoff Otene, Glenn Peri and Tokatumoana Walden.

Phase 1

Completed May 2021

° Flushing of Flowlines

° Laydown of Risers & Umbilicals on Seabed

° Mooring Release & FPSO Sailaway

° Recovery of Anchors

PHASE 1 of the project commenced in late March 2021 with the flushing of the flowlines, the disconnection of the mooring chains and anchors that held the Umuroa in place, and the laying down on the seabed of the 6,000 tonnes of infra-structure comprising flowlines, risers, umbilicals and the sealing of the wells until Phase 3.

Albie Martin and the Ohu offered a karakia to send the Umuroa safely on its return journey to Asia, as he had done when it was welcomed in 2007.

Phase 2

° Disconnection of Flowlines, Risers & Umbilicals from Structures

° Removal of Subsea Equipment

PHASE 2 of the project required the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to develop a Marine Consent and Discharge Consent to uplift the 6,000 tonnes of infrastructure from the seabed. The timeline for this phase is December 2021, January and February 2022.

Te Kāhui o Taranaki in association with ngā hapū; Ngāti Kahumate, Ngāti Tara, Ngāti Haupoto and Ngāti Tuhekerangi developed a Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) to sit inside the Marine Consent. Acknowledgement to Sean Zieltjes and Sera Gibson for developing a world class document.

The purpose of the Cultural Impact Assessment (CIA) is to assess the actual and potential effects on the existing interests of Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Kahumate, Ngāti Tara, Ngāti Haupoto and Ngāti Tuhekerangi that may result from phases 2 and 3 of the Tui Oil Field decommissioning to inform requisite Marine Consent and Marine Discharge Consent.

As uri will be aware our environment is a fundamental part of who we are as tangata whenua - as Taranaki Iwi, Ngāti Kahumate, Ngāti Tara, Ngāti Haupoto and Ngāti Tuhekerangi. This process enabled us to exercise our kaitiaki responsibilities and obligations, importantly to ensure the mouri of our environmental and cultural resources is protected and enhanced where possible for future generations.

Phase 3

° Plugging & Abandonment of Wells

° Cutting of Casing

° Removal of Xmas Trees & Wellheads

PHASE 3 – the plugging and abandonment of Wells, the cutting of casing and removal of xmas trees and wellheads is scheduled for removal in December 2021, JanuaryFebruary 2022.

Clear seabed – review, once all the assets have been removed from the seabed, an ROV (remote operated vehicle) visual survey, environmental monitoring, MBES seabed survey will be conducted.

Reuse, Recycle, Dispose – MBIE anticipate that 90% of the assets will be recycled, 3% will be used and 7% disposed of.