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New Zealand Offshore Northland and Raukumara Licensing Round

New Zealand’s Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the opening of bidding for new offshore petroleum exploration permits across the Northland and Raukumara basins on 10 December 2008. A total of eight blocks, with a combined area of over 66,000 square kilometres, were offered for bidding under regular tender. Details of the round are available on the Ministry of Economic Development www.crownminerals.govt.nz/cms/petroleum/blocks-offers.

The blocks offered are listed as follows:

NEW ZEALAND OFFSHORE NORTHLAND & RAUKUMARA BLOCK OFFERS

Block Name

Basin Name

Bidding Method

1 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

2 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

3 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

4 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

5 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

6 NORTHLAND

NORTHLAND

REGULAR TENDER

1 RAUKUMARA

EAST COAST - RAUKUMARA

REGULAR TENDER

2 RAUKUMARA

EAST COAST - RAUKUMARA

REGULAR TENDER

Bid documents have been made available from 10 December 2008.  The bid deadline for regular tender is 28 Jan 2010. Proposed staged work programme for any blocks must meet the following minimum requirements:

i)                    Carry out a regional 2D seismic survey; and

ii)                   Carry out a 3D survey to define a drillable location; and

iii)                 Drill one well within the first four years – with a commitment to drill being made to the Minister at least one year prior to the drilling of the well; and

iv)                 Report and present a full review of the basin potential.

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Map: Blocks offered under the offshore Northland and Raukumara Licensing Round. Source: PetroView®

The Northland basin is located to the west of the upper North Island of New Zealand. Contiguous with the hydrocarbon-producing Taranaki basin, the basin consists of a sedimentary sequence similar to that of the Taranaki basin. The subject of extensive seismic survey coverage over the past three decades, seismic interpretations have identified a number of structural and stratigraphic traps in the region, while satellite radar imaging has highlighted a number of potential offshore oil seeps, appearing to suggest the possible presence of an active petroleum system with hydrocarbon potential in the Northland basin.  

The Raukumara basin is located at the northern end of the East Coast basin. Seismic surveys have identified a number of areas with high amplitude direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI’s), while satellite radar imaging has again highlighted a number of potential offshore oil seeps, appearing to suggest the possible presence of an active Petroleum System with significant oil and gas potential in the Raukumara basin.

A number of major oil companies have indicated interest in the blocks in the region. Aggressive work program proposals are expected.

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