Offshore staff
WELLINGTON --New Zealand's Kupe development is now on the home straight, according to partner New Zealand Oil & Gas (NZOG).
All offshore facilities have been completed, and two condensate storage tanks are currently being erected at the Omata Tank Farm near New Plymouth. At the onshore production station near Hawera, virtually all other major components are in place.
Over the next few months, testing and commissioning of equipment will get under way, with first production scheduled for the third quarter.
In January, NZOG was awarded a new exploration permit (PEP 51311) west and south of Kupe. It has already acquired 500 km (311 mi) of new 2D seismic over the acreage, which contains a fairway of structures called the Gamma prospects.
Last month, the company and its partners in the Tui joint venture secured a new exploration permit in the offshore Taranaki basin, PEP 51321, covering 3,000 sq km (1,158 sq mi) and immediately south of another jointly held permit. Over the next 12 months they plan to reprocess old seismic data, and conduct new geological and geophysical studies, followed by acquisition and interpretation of 200 km (124 mi) of new 2D data.
In Tui permit PMP38158 (NZOG 12/5%), the joint venture has contracted the semisubmersibleKan Tan IV for a drilling program late this year. There are five identified prospects near to producing reservoirs, and the rig will drill at least two of these. Seabed site surveys were under way this month to determine the optimum locations.
04/30/2009
