“I think Pukeko is as close to proof as we will ever get (of oil migration west of Maui) and I believe this is more significant than Tui. This is very, very significant and the message needs to get out,” the overjoyed New Zealand Oil & Gas exploration manager told EnergyReview.Net from Sydney today.
“I am confident that this will give us the proof hinted at by Tui and Amokura, that there are heaps of closures with excellent reservoir characteristics west of Maui.
“It’s definitely exciting times and we have lots of work to do; there are lots of opportunities, with some other large structures out there, like Taharoa and Hector; with a very sparse seismic grid to work with.”
After only minor non-commercial hydrocarbon shows in the Kapuni C and D sands, NZOG today reported good shows over a 7m column at the Pukeko-1 well in the southern portion of the large PEP 38460 licence west of Maui.
“Though the column is rather thin, this again demonstrates the generation and trapping of oil west of Maui, which is what we have been saying for years.”
Matthews said he would like any oil column to be 10-20m thick, but the reservoir characteristics at the Tui and Amokura prospects looked even better than those from the more southern Maui B,F sands, which had been prolific producers in the past, flowing approximately 37,000 bopd on test.
The Ocean Bounty will continue drilling towards the 4200m target depth, which should be reached in the next day or so. Electric logs will then be run to evaluate the commercial significance of the minor C and D sands shows below 3300m, and particularly the F sands shows over the 3910-17m interval.
“Confirmation of oil charge from the area west of the Maui Field is very important as it supports the existence of an extensive oil play fairway in 460 and the nearby 483 permit which we hold with AWE (Australian Worldwide Exploration).
“While the matter has not been discussed within the joint venture yet, NZOG believes the next step will be the acquisition of a substantial 3D seismic programme, once all the data from the well has been reviewed. The purpose of 3D seismic will be to fully define for drilling the many prospects and leads recognised in the area.
“This will supplement the data already acquired in the Tui-Amokura area, where the Pateke-1 and Kiwi-1 wells will shortly be drilled,” Matthews added.
