Swift Energy called in the experts earlier this quarter to try to help it boost flagging oil and gas flows from the fields, with the complex Taranaki Basin geology frustrating the fields' operator in recent months.

"Progress is coming along fine with regard to our work with Core Labs. We have been pleased with their work," said Swift executive vice-president Bruce Vincent from Houston today.

The internationally renowned firm is reviewing all aspects of reservoir development in the fields and the reservoir optimisation review should be completed and the results known by the first quarter of 2003.

Swift did not know if the type of drilling fluids used or the fraccing techniques used were the likely causes, but believed that the Tariki sandstones had somehow been damaged during the past months. Rock properties indicated better rates of production should be possible than were being achieved.

Five months ago oil production from the Rimu production station was about 1270 barrels of oil per day and gas production up to 2.8 million standard cubic feet per day. Now net production during the third quarter of 2002 had averaged only 968 barrels of oil equivalent per day (572 barrels of oil and condensate and 1.8 mmscf of natural gas). This is solely from the Tariki sands.

Core Laboratories provides reservoir management services for the petroleum industry, to optimise reservoir performance and maximise hydrocarbon recovery from producing fields. Its data usually enables the average 40% oilfield recovery factor to be exceeded.