Umuroa FPSO on site off Taranaki, New Zealand

April 24, 2007
The floating production, storage, and offloading vessel for the $245 million Tui oil development has arrived on location on the PMP 38158 permit 50 km off Taranaki on New Zealand's North Island.

Rick Wilkinson
OGJ Correspondent

MELBOURNE, Apr. 24 -- The floating production, storage, and offloading vessel for the $245 million Tui oil development has arrived on location on the PMP 38158 permit 50 km off Taranaki on New Zealand's North Island.

The Umuroa FPSO, owned by Prosafe of Norway, is being leased for an initial 5 years to the Tui joint venture, operated by Australian Worldwide Exploration Ltd. of Sydney. The group has an option to retain the vessel for a further 5 years.

Umuroa is capable of handling up to 120,000 b/d of fluids, including 50,000 b/d of oil from the Tui project. It has a storage capacity of 730,000 bbl.

Oil is expected on stream at the end of June from Tui, Amokura, and Pateke accumulations. Flow will be via four subsea wellheads and flowlines connected to the FPSO.

Permit interest holders are AWE 42.5%, New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd. 12.5%, Mitsui E&P New Zealand 35%, and Pan Pacific Petroleum Ltd. of Sydney 10%.