New Zealand Awards First Offshore Oil License Since Ending Drilling Ban

New Zealand’s government has awarded the first offshore oil and gas exploration license after last year lifting a ban on drilling, put in place by the previous government that wanted to focus on a transition from hydrocarbons to electricity from low-carbon sources. The new government, however, is focusing on energy security, and last year removed the ban, inviting companies to bid for its oil and gas resources. Now, Australian oil and gas firm EnZed Energy has become the first to tap New Zealand’s offshore oil and gas resources after…