Oil and gas developments in New Zealand and southwest Pacific islands in 1985
In New Zealand, a moratorium on petroleum exploration licensing was in effect throughout 1985. Seismic surveying activity was greatly reduced, with 960 km shot offshore and 780 km shot onshore. Drilling continued at a high rate, with 25 wells drilled, 5 offshore and 20 onshore. Total meterage exceeded 41,000 m. Although there were good indications of hydrocarbons, no major discoveries were made. At the end of 1985, the government lifted the licensing moratorium with the announcement of an offer of 50 blocks in the offshore Taranaki basin. Total petroleum production figures for New Zealand were 3802 million m/sup 3/ of gas, 1095 thousand m/sup 3/ of condensate, and 452 thousand m/sup 3/ of oil. The entire production is from fields in the Taranaki basin. In 1985, production of synthetic gasoline began at the Motunui synfuels plant using Maui and Kapuni gas and condensate as feedstock. Tonga introduced new petroleum legislation and is offering license blocks for exploration. No activity was reported from Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. License holdings in Papua New Guinea increased 78.3% to 16 petroleum prospecting licenses with a total of 1894 blocks. Seismic surveys amounts to 1500 km on land and 500 km offshore in 1985, after virtually no seismic in 1984. Drilling was up 23.9%. 3 figures, 6 tables.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Geo Consultants Ltd., Belmont, New Zealand
- OSTI ID:
- 7149698
- Journal Information:
- Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Vol. 70:10
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Oil and gas developments in New Zealand and southwest Pacific Islands in 1984
Oil and gas developments in New Zealand and southwest Pacific islands in 1983
Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
NEW ZEALAND
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
WELL DRILLING
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATORY WELLS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTION
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
DRILLING
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INDUSTRY
ISLANDS
NEW GUINEA
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020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
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020200 - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
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030200 - Natural Gas- Reserves
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