New Zealand opens 2017 exploration permit round

March 24, 2017
The New Zealand government is hoping for a more positive industry response to its latest exploration permit round than it received in 2016.

The New Zealand government is hoping for a more positive industry response to its latest exploration permit round than it received in 2016.

Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins announced the new round of eight blocks this week, calling for tenders to five offshore areas, two onshore areas, and one area a combination of both.

The offshore blocks include:

• One 150,566-sq-km area surrounding existing permits the Northland-Reinga basin (17NRN-R1).

• One 64,978-sq-km area surrounding existing permits in the Taranaki basin (17TAR-R1).

• One 49,630-sq-km area in the Pegasus-East Coast basin off the east of the north island (17PEC-R1).

• One 5,569-sq-km enclave in the Hawk Bay region in the East Coast basin (17PEC-R2).

• One 204,928-sq-km region surrounding existing permits in the Great South-Canterbury basin off the southeast of the south island (17GSC-R1).

The onshore blocks are:

• One 1,021-sq-km area in the Plymouth region of the Taranaki basin (17TAR-R2).

• One 3,568-sq-km block in the Great South basin at the southern tip of the south island (17SLD0-R1).

The combination onshore and offshore area covering 1,475 sq km is in the north Taranaki basin (17TAR-R3).

The blocks are being offered on a work program bid process. The offer is open until Sept. 6. The government expects to grant the successful tender offers in December.