Older energy consultations and reviews

Reviewing Aspects of the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011

Closed 30 October 2015

We administer the Engine Fuel Specifications Regulations 2011 which provide comprehensive fuel specifications for petrol, petrol/ethanol blends, diesel, biodiesel, and diesel/biodiesel blends.

There were 3 major amendments proposed in this review:

1. To lower the sulphur level in petrol from 50 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg.
2. To introduce a total oxygen limit of 3.7% and individual oxygenate limits for a range of alcohols and ethers. MTBE volumes would be restricted to the current effective limit of 1% volume (or possibly reduced to 0.5% volume)
3. To raise the biodiesel limit in diesel from 5% to 7% by volume.

Consultation and related documents

Estimating premiums for petrol with low sulphur limits: Hale & Twomey, February 2015 [PDF, 347 KB]

Air Quality Impacts of Petrol Sulphur Reductions: Dr Gerda Kuschel, Emission Impossible, June 2015 [PDF, 491 KB]

Vehicle Emissions Prediction Model: Dr Gerda Kuschel [XLSX, 433 KB]

Air quality impact of low sulphur petrol model: Dr Gerda Kuschel [XLSX, 147 KB]

Information on Asia-Pacific Fuel Quality Standards and their Implications for New Zealand: Stratas Advisors, February 2015 [PDF, 1.6 MB]

Energy (Petroleum or Engine Fuel Monitoring Levy) Regulations 2015

Closed 25 August 2015

On 25 August 2015 we consulted on which fuels should be covered by the Petroleum or Engine Fuels Monitoring Levy (PEFML) and how the levy should be calculated. We received 7 submissions.

View a summary of submissions [PDF, 922 KB]

Petroleum or Engine Fuel Monitoring Levy Discussion Document [PDF, 708 KB]

Following this consultation, the Government decided on the method for setting PEMFL rates to recover the costs of specified activities. We then consulted on the proposed parameters that would determine the levy rate to apply from 1 July 2016. No submissions were received.

The Energy (Petroleum or Engine Fuel Monitoring Levy) Regulations 2015(external link), which set out the PEFML rate came into force on 23 February 2016.

Oil security review 2012

In 2011 and 2012, we commissioned 3 studies into New Zealand’s oil security. The studies assessed 2 types of oil supply disruptions:

• domestic supply disruptions: disruptions to domestic supply chain infrastructure that result in supply shortfalls and fuel distribution problems
• international supply disruptions: disruptions arising outside of New Zealand that result in a spike in the global oil price resulting in damage to New Zealand’s economy.

In October 2012 we released a discussion paper for public consultation on a range of proposals to improve oil security in New Zealand. These proposals were developed based on the finding of the reports, and from discussions with stakeholders. Submissions closed on Tuesday 27 November 2012.

Consultation document and reports

Discussion Paper [PDF, 1.5 MB]

RAP contingency options [PDF, 837 KB]

New Zealand Oil Security Assessment Update [PDF, 1 MB]

Information for NZIER Report on Oil Security [PDF, 634 KB]