But operator Shell Exploration New Zealand says the aspects of the project that are critical to gas delivery remain on schedule, with first gas from the 750 petajoule field still expected later this year.

The jack-up Ensco Rig 56 has been sitting off the Motunui coast since mid-March, unable so far to start drilling the planned six offshore developments wells.

As a result, other specialised equipment is lying idle after being delivered to Taranaki weeks ago to meet planned engineering and construction schedules.

This includes the heavy-lift ship Annegret, which has been forced to remain tied up at Port Taranaki since early March, after arriving from Western Australia with the 415-tonne jacket aboard.

In recent days, rumours have been circulating in the Taranaki energy industry that the Pohokura project team and the Ensco rig have struck problems preparing the seabed foundations on which the Pohokura jacket and 165-tonne topsides module will sit.

It is understood the geology of the seabed is presently preventing the securing of the jacket in position and the subsequent drilling, from the platform, by the Ensco rig.

International experts have been called in to solve the seabed problems, but it is not known what solutions are being considered.

There are also rumours that if the matter is not resolved soon, then drilling may be further delayed to avoid any wild winter weather and only resume in the spring.

Shell Exploration NZ has declined to comment on the matter apart from issuing a brief statement cleared by Royal Dutch Shell in The Hague.

“Onshore activity is on schedule and we have completed the wells, which will initially supply gas from the field.

“The offshore portion of the project is currently underway, following a delay to the installation of the platform and adverse weather conditions.

“Overall, the aspects of the project that are critical to gas delivery are on schedule and we continue to expect first gas in 2006,” the company said.

Ironically, calm weather this week has allowed other parts of the offshore development project to proceed, with the multi-purpose offshore support vessel Rockwater-2 moving closer to the Motunui shore to continue laying the flexible pipeline that will eventually carry gas from the platform to the onshore production station for processing.

The Ensign International Rig 41 has now finished drilling the three deviated onshore-offshore production wells and one water-disposal well, allowing the Pohokura partners to start producing and selling some commercial gas from late this year.