Kupe onshore production station progressing well

Origin Energy, operator of the Kupe project, says in its June quarter report that design of the production station is now complete and procurement activities are in the final stages

The other project components, the offshore South Taranaki platform, production wells and pipeline to the shore production station have all been completed over the past year.

The Kupe project remains on schedule to commence gas sales in mid 2009.

Origin also reported continued exploration in its two other offshore southern Taranaki Basin permits PEP 38495 and PEP 381201, both acquired from Swift Energy earlier this year.

Seismic interpretation of the previously recorded Kaheru 3D seismic survey nears completion in PEP 38495 together with the interpretation of original and reprocessed seismic data in PEP 381201.

Origin assumed operatorship of the onshore Taranaki producing fields Tariki/Ahuroa/Waihapa/Ngaere (TAWN) and Rimu/Kauri with effect from 12 June 2008, following the purchase from Swift Energy.

Production, product sales and revenues from this asset are reported for three weeks from that date.

Origin reported that it had spent NZ$138 million on development and plant in New Zealand in the June 2008 quarter, a 58% rise on the NZ$87 million spent in the previous quarter. All told Origin has spent NZ$360 million in New Zealand developments in the 2007-08 year, up from NZ$109 million in 2006-07.

Exploration and appraisal spending by Origin in New Zealand was NZ$10.9 million in the 2007-08 year, down from NZ$13 million the previous year.