Discharge management plans

All offshore oil and gas installations, including exploration drilling and production facilities, must have a discharge management plan. This is required under Marine Protection Rule Part 200.

The discharge management plan establishes procedures and practices aimed at reducing the environmental impacts from discharges of harmful substances, including oil and chemicals, from offshore activities.

Marine Protection Rule - Part 200

Maritime New Zealand reviews each discharge management plan, including:

• all of the chemicals that are to be used in the project
• the management of production waters and drill cuttings
• other waste management practices on board
• spill contingency plans.

The environmental risk is assessed based on the oil or gas product that is going to be produced. This risk assessment helps to pre-plan the best possible response options in case there is an accidental discharge.

An approved discharge management plan shows that the operator of the oil or gas facility has:

• identified and taken steps to reduce the discharge of harmful substances
• minimised the risk of an accidental spill
• detailed emergency response plans in place in case a spill does occur
• selected the least harmful substances and is using the best available technology and practices to ensure there are no lasting adverse effects on the marine environment.