Environmental groups are opposing further drilling in the Maari field, 80km off the coast of Opunake.
OMV New Zealand Ltd has applied to the Environmental Protection Agency for a marine consent to continue developmental drilling.
OMV is currently drilling in the Maari field in accordance with its petroleum mining permit and under the transitional provisions of the Exclusive Economic Zone Act. The provisions ended on June 28 but drilling can continue until a decision on the application is made. The project involves drilling up to seven developmental wells from within existing conductor slots at the Maari wellhead platform.
No new surface drilling will occur during this programme but some drilling cuttings and drilling mud will be deposited on the seabed.
It is the third marine consent application to be considered by the EPA under the new Exclusive Economic Zone legislation.