Origin looks to drill shallow offshore prospect south-west of Auckland

Exploration by these companies has also uncovered two “encouraging” giant leads in the adjacent permit PEP 38618, located in deeper water, though these had higher reservoir and hydrocarbon charge risk.

In a paper presented [5.3 MB PDF] at the New Zealand Petroleum Conference in Auckland, Origin geologist Kay Bierbrauer said the Nimitz 3D seismic survey, acquired in PEP 38619 has revealed some excellent prospects just north of Todd Energy’s undeveloped Karewa gas field 50 km off the Waikato coast.

Three prospects named Kokako, Korimako and Korimako South are fault-dependent closures targeting potential Miocene and Eocene reservoirs. The fourth, named Tarapunga, targets a Pliocene turbidite play similar to the Karewa discovery. It is associated with “an eye-catching seismic amplitude anomaly” and is interpreted as a basin floor fan, Mr Bierbrauer said.

Rob Willink, executive general manager exploration for Origin Energy, said the two 50% partners were planning to farm out 30% of the two Northland permits.

As operator Origin is looking to drill at least one of the prospects in shallow water in 2009. Water depths over the four prospects in PEP 38619 are around the 100 metre mark and a jack-up rig such as the Ensco 107 now drilling development wells for Origin on the Kupe gas field may be able to be used, Mr Willink said.

Origin also has booked the Kan Tan IV semi-submersible rig for four well slots anywhere in Australia and New Zealand, so this rig could be used for a Northland well if the jack up option is not pursued, he said.