Bill Capamagian (‘Forget protests we need oil', March 14) rightly observes NZ needs to try to become more self-sufficient in oil. But sadly recent history shows the exact opposite will happen.

The vast gas reserves of the Maui field were frittered away by Mobil making synthetic petrol and fertiliser at Motunui in Taranaki - in both cases the products were so expensive taxpayers had to subsidise the finished products which were exported.
Meanwhile, the oil company skillfully managed to run down the gas field and ensure this country remains largely dependent on imported petroleum products, instead of having a secure supply of Compressed natural gas (CNG) for upwards of 150 years.

More recently, crude condensate worth hundreds of millions of dollars from on-shore Taranaki wells has been exclusively exported rather than processed at our sole refinery in Whangarei, with a corresponding saving in overseas funds.

Anybody wishing to verify this need only check Department of Statistics trade figures.
I'e yet to hear any suggestion, aside from any paltry royalties that may be paid to NZ, future discoveries of oil or gas in our waters will in any way benefit this country. More likely is products will be whisked away from under our noses.

As for creating jobs - don't make me laugh. How many New Zealanders are included in crews of deep water drilling rigs and support ships? Sorry. I forgot about cleaners in shore-bases and cafeteria staff.

Perhaps the Minister of Energy and Resources Simon Bridges would like to comment on safeguards in place to ensure any discoveries that may take place will be used to help make NZ more self-sufficient in oil?

D H Blanshard, Welcome Bay.