Drilling Programme Supports Coal Seam Gas Venture

West Coast’s Tai Poutini Polytechnic Drilling Programme Supporting Coal Seam Gas Drilling Venture

Chartwell NZ is a CSG (coal seam gas) exploration, appraisal and development company focused on New Zealand and is a subsidiary of Comet Ridge Limited based in Brisbane. Following the awarding of New Zealand’s first CSG mining licence to Macdonald Investments LTD in July 2007, Chartwell NZ took a joint interest in the project.

The largest drilling rig of its type in New Zealand is now actively working on the first CSG exploration site at Dobson near Greymouth. A number of Tai Poutini Polytechnic students from the only programme of its type currently offered in New Zealand are working on the rig gaining work experience post their formal studies.

John Wells, Chartwell NZ’s Rig Supervisor, has worked in a number of international locations, as well as all over New Zealand. John said that the TPP students have been keen to learn and have done a great job on the Macdonald – 4P wellsite near Dobson.

In 2009 Tai Poutini Polytechnic developed a new and unique programme to assist people to gain entry into the highly skilled and internationally recognised drilling industry. The first intake of students began their 20 week pre employment programme in January 2010. The programme comprises 13 weeks tutor focused learning, covering health and safety, first aid and emergency care, working at heights, drilling rig and small plant maintenance, welding and gas cutting, and gaining various licences. Following the time spent on the Greymouth Campus the students were placed on a drilling rig in New Zealand for their Work–Based Training giving them further practical skills and on site experience.

The uniqueness of this programme has captivated the interest of the Australian Drilling Industry with the Polytechnic being selected amongst presenters from South Africa, the Unites States and Canada to present to the Australia Drilling Industry Association conference in Adelaide in September.

When Peter Crimp from Nelson, who had 15 years in the logging industry, started the drilling programme in January, he found at first the classroom work was ‘a daunting challenge’. “I thought that coming from a practical industry, and not being at all academic, it was going to be hard. But in reality, it wasn't. Looking back on the twelve weeks tutor-based component, I’m pretty proud of what we’ve all done. My family and friends are all rapt with how far I have come. I’m feeling lucky and privileged, and my future is looking really bright, as it will be for others who do this course. Now that I have nearly completed my work based training I can see how rewarding this is going to be”.

TPP Paul Wilson says “it was a great opportunity to be able to see the rig in operation and the impact our students are making in what is a completely new venture in New Zealand. The students leave the programme with a wide range of skills necessary to enter this highly sought after career in both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon based operations. There will be many opportunities for our students to gain work as exploration and development gains momentum in New Zealand – and there is always the opportunity to take their skills overseas for even greater opportunities and reward”.

ENDS

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