The 120km 2D seismic operation will be done over the Kaheru prospect in PEP 38737, which STOS operates on behalf of Shell Petroleum Mining and Todd Petroleum Mining.
The survey, which is due to start in mid-December, is one of the first signs of Shell and Todd's intention to actively investigate the possible extension of the onshore Tarata Trust Belt system, which essentially runs the length of onshore Taranaki, into the shallow waters south of Rimu-Kauri.
STOS has contracted Australian firm Western Geco Ltd to do the inshore survey, which will consist of 12 lines running in approximately a northwest-southeast direction up to about 10km off the coast.
Shell and Todd swooped on this offshore acreage after former permit holder Fletcher Challenge Energy relinquished the area about two years ago without even drilling a well into the highly prospective Kaheru structure. It is understood Shell and Todd will have to use a jack-up rig to test the Kaheru structure and that a well is planned for 2002-03.
