The Parker Drilling Rig 252 is drilling Tariki-D1 and is expected to have reached the targeted Oligocene-aged Tariki sandstones by the end of the month.

Swift’s executive vice-president Bruce Vincent has confirmed the drilling of Tariki-D1 which, if successful, may mean more uncommitted gas for the company to market.

“We do not have a specific contract with Contact Energy regarding the sale-purchase of gas from Tariki-D1; we do have a contract with them regarding certain gas production from existing wells but not from new activity,” he told EnergyReview.net from Houston.

Swift is also seeking farm-in partners to explore a portfolio of opportunities accessing five traps on two independent structures within the Tariki, Ahuroa, Waihapa, Ngaere (Tawn) licences.

It is known Swift told the Eastern Australian Basins Symposium in Adelaide last month that the total portfolio on offer had mean potential reserves exceeding 600bcf and upside potential exceeding 1 tcf of recoverable gas.

The opportunities are the Waihapa deep prospect - Kapuni overthrust and Kaimiro subthrust - and the Ahuroa flank prospect - Kapuni overthrust, Kapuni subthrust and Tariki overthrust.

Current remapping indicates significant updip potential at the Mangahewa level within the Waihapa deep prospect, while the Ahuroa flank prospect represents a structural/stratigraphic trap, also at the Mangahewa level.