Developments in New Zealand and Southwest Pacific island region in 1979

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6952574

Katz, H R

Exploration in New Zealand in 1979 reached one of the lowest levels recorded. Offshore, there was no drilling or seismic work, and the remaining concession area amounts to a mere 9088 sq km. Onland concession areas, all owned by the government company Petrocorp, are 14,771.4 sq km; 2 important areas were relinquished and others were enlarged. One rig was drilling throughout the year, totaling 6230 m. Seismic surveys amounted to 7 party-months and 554.55 km, which is 66% of 1978. Platform A of the Maui field started production in June. Despite this, the combined production of the Kapuni and Maui fields decreased to 61.5% for gas and 64.3% for condensate - or 1,307.464 x 10/sup 6/ cu m of gas and 476,893 cu m of condensate. LPG was obtained at some higher rates, that is, 19,577.93 cu m or 128.8% of last year's production, and natural gasoline at 8,591.61 cu m or 102.1%. In Tonga, last year's unsuccessful drilling of 3 dry holes was followed by marine seismic surveys north and east of Tongatapu Island. In Fiji, offshore seismic surveys of 6000 line-km were completed, as well as geochemical surveys looking for sea-bottom anomalies. With the farm-in of Chevron Overseas Inc., drilling is planned for at least 2 offshore wells early in 1980. In the New Hebrides, draft legislation is now underway for a petroleum act. Also, in the Solomon Islands, draft legislation was put before parliament near year end, and final arrangements are to be completed in 1980. In Papua New Guinea no seismic or geologic field surveys were conducted. No drilling was undertaken, but access and site preparations were carried out for Kiunga 1 well to be drilled by Niugini Gulf Oil Pty. Ltd. early in 1980. Minor concession changes have been made.

• Research Organization: New Zealand Geological Survey, Lower Hutt
• OSTI ID: 6952574
• Journal Information: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull.; (United States), Vol. 64:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
FIJI
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS
NEW ZEALAND
PACIFIC OCEAN
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
DRILLING
EXPLORATION
PETROLEUM
SEISMIC SURVEYS
ASIA
AUSTRALASIA
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
INDUSTRY
ISLANDS
NEW GUINEA
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
SURVEYS
020200* - Petroleum- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
020300 - Petroleum- Drilling & Production