Pokohura platform off New Zealand on stream

Rick Wilkinson
OGJ Correspondent

MELBOURNE, Mar. 22 -- Gas and condensate production from the first of six planned offshore wells in Pokohura field off New Zealand has begun.

The other wells will be drilled from the production platform, completed, and tied in to the pipeline to shore during the next 12 months. After drilling, the platform will be unmanned and controlled from onshore facilities.

Three extended-reach wells drilled from onshore locations into the southern part of the Taranaki basin field started up last September.

Pokohura output will bring the onshore processing plant near New Plymouth in the North Island to its full capacity of 20 MMcfd of gas plus condensate during first-quarter 2008.

Pokohura has an estimated 750 bcf of gas reserves. The condensate content is rich, believed to be around 50 million bbl.

The field is operated by Shell Exploration New Zealand Ltd. with 48% interest. Todd Energy and OMV New Zealand hold 26% each.