Sydney-based AWE reported today that the semi-submersible Ocean Patriot rig was preparing to run wireline logs at a measured depth of 3915m within the Taranui-1 well. Progress for the week had been 1395m.
AWE said the Eocene-aged Kapuni Formation D and F Sands had both been intersected, and the well found minor oil shows at both levels.
While wireline evaluation of these zones was still in progress, logs recorded while drilling showed there were no potentially productive intervals.
When drilling operations had been completed, the well would be plugged and abandoned, AWE said.
The Taranui prospect is in the Tui mining licence PMP 38158, about 15km north-east of the Tui production facilities.
It is estimated to contain between 5-15 million barrels of recoverable oil.
The Ocean Patriot will move to drill the West Cape-1 wildcat in PEP 38481 and then the Kopuwai-1 wildcat in PEP 38482.
The Tui partners are operator AWE (42.5%), Mitsui E&P NZ (35%), New Zealand Oil & Gas (12.5%) and Pan Pacific Petroleum (10%).
