Offshore staff

NEW PLYMOUTH, New Zealand -- The Kupe gas and condensate project has reached a major milestone in the offshore operations with the arrival of the Ensco 107 off New Plymouth.

The heavy-lift vesselWillift Falcon transported the Ensco 107 from Singapore. The rig's first task will be to install the wellhead platform jacket, which will take place 30 km (19 mi) off the coast. Once the jacket is installed, the rig will begin drilling the three production wells, followed by topsides installation on the offshore platform.

The Kupe gas project is expected to be completed by mid-2009 and will produce approximately 254 petajoules of natural gas, 1.1 million metric tons (1,212,542 tons) of LPG, and 14.7 MMbbl of light oil.

Origin Energy Ltd. operates Kupe through its subsidiary Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) Ltd.) with 50% interest. Partners include Genesis Energy with 31% interest, New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd. with 15% interest, and Mitsui E&P Australia Pty. Ltd. with 4% interest.

10/15/2007