The government has just announced there will be no new oil and gas exploration off Otago's coast in relation to the latest round of permits.

Ministers have granted nine permits in the 2015 block offer.

All of them are for exploration in the Taranaki basin.

In the past few years international companies have drilled for oil and gas off Otago's coast through the annual block offer process.

That's brought a mix of support and opposition from locals.

Some residents are encouraged by the prospect of economic gains, while others are concerned about the environmental impact.