3 Feb 2016

No evidence of oil and gas leaks cover up - council

1:36 pm on 3 February 2016

An investigation has found no evidence to support allegations oil and gas leaks are being covered up at Taranaki wellsites.

Earlier this month, a former compliance manager at the Australia-based oil company Origin alleged a long-running "cover-up" of oil and gas well leaks across New Zealand and Australia.

But Taranaki Regional Council director of resource management Fred McLay said it had not found any proof or evidence of adverse environmental effects from the company's activities.

He said the council's investigation included extra unannounced inspections of wellsites, sampling of groundwater and reviews of company records.

Origin operates the Rimu, Kauri and Manutahi wells in Taranaki.