Developments in New Zealand and Southwest Pacific Island Region in 1977

Journal Article · Sun Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1978 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6186280

Katz, H R

In New Zealand, 2 offshore wells were drilled in the Great South basin, both in water nearly 700 m deep; both were abandoned, but 1 of them (Kawau 1A) had shows and tested gas and condensate. Both onshore and offshore total depth drilled was 9,450 m, down 46%. Production from the Kapuni field was increased to 2,261,903 cu m of gas (218.8 MMCFGD, up 59.3%) and 860,973 cu m of condensate (14,837 b/d, up 43.4%). Considerable offshore acreage concessions have expired; the total of remaining offshore concessions is 432,302 sq km (166,912 sq mi). On land all but 383 sq km (148 sq mi) has expired, but the government, in the course of its new policy to go actively into petroleum exploration, has acquired 6 concession blocks on both islands, totaling 12,118 sq km (4,825 sq mi). In Tonga, a detailed seismic survey of 283 km was conducted on the island of Tongatapu, and 732 km of offshore seismic lines recorded by Shell in 1970 was reprocessed by Webb Tonga Inc. As a result, 3 major seismic anomalies, which have been interpreted as carbonate-reef structures, are scheduled for drilling on the island of Tongatapu. In Fiji, no further activities are reported, as all licenses have expired. As a result, all offshore geophysical data are now available on open file. In Papua New Guinea 1 seismic survey, begun in July 1976, was completed; and 1 offshore well was drilled to 3,433 m TD; it was plugged and abandoned. Some concession changes occurred in the Gulf of Papua, and in the Soloman Sea the government for the first time invited applications for 60 blocks of offshore petroleum prospecting licenses.

• Research Organization: New Zealand Geological Survey, Lower Hutt
• OSTI ID: 6186280
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 62:10; ISSN AAPGB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020700* -- Petroleum-- Economics
Industrial
& Business Aspects
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
EXPLORATION
FIJI
INDUSTRY
ISLANDS
NEW ZEALAND
OFFSHORE OPERATIONS
PACIFIC OCEAN
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS