Highly successful seismic survey summer for OMV New Zealand

OMV New Zealand
Media statement
1 May 2012

Highly successful seismic survey summer for OMV New Zealand

Over 5,000 km2 of data acquired in the Great South Basin and Taranaki Shell takes over as Great South Basin Operator 3D reacquisition to assist Maari field imaging

OMV New Zealand said today that it had concluded a highly successful 3D seismic data acquisition programme over the summer, with over 5,000 km2 of data acquired in the Great South and Taranaki Basins.

OMV New Zealand and its joint venture partners (Shell GSB Ltd, PTTEP New Zealand Ltd and Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd) carried out a comprehensive 3D seismic acquisition programme in Great South Basin exploration permits between November 2011 and March 2012.

The survey was carried out by the state-of-the-art vessel the Polarcus Alima.

OMV New Zealand Managing Director Peter Zeilinger said the programme was completed safely with no time lost to injury, and ahead of schedule and budget due to excellent preparation and favourable weather in the early part of the survey.

“A comprehensive study of current and historical met-ocean data including wind, waves and currents was carried out to pinpoint the optimum time of year to carry out the survey.

“Permit conditions required a minimum of 2,250 km2 of 3D seismic data by the 20th July 2012. We had planned to acquire just over 4,000 km2 but we were able to extend the survey and finished with 4,820 km2,” he said.

Mr Zeilinger said a minimum of four independent marine mammal observers were on board the seismic survey vessel at all times. This exceeded the single observer required by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Visual and or acoustic monitoring was maintained 24/7.

“The survey was stopped a number of times by the observers when a marine mammal was detected inside minimum distances set by DOC. There were over 400 marine mammal sightings recorded by the observers and their records will be added to the national database held by DOC,” he said.

OMV also contracted an independent environmental auditor who monitored and reported on all aspects of the survey. OMV | 2

Mr Zeilinger said that in March the Ministry of Economic Development approved the merger of permits 50119 and 50120 into a single permit – 50119. “Operatorship of that permit passed to Shell on 1 April 2012, and they will now process and evaluate the 3D seismic data acquired.

“We are very pleased that Shell has assumed the operator role. They were selected because of their experience and success at safely working in deep water permits. We look forward to receiving the benefit of their significant experience.

“We also appreciate the support we have received from southern communities over the last five years. OMV will support Shell wherever possible to develop these relationships further,” he said.

Mr Zeilinger said that following the Great South Basin survey, the Polarcus Alima was contracted to reacquire just over 300 km2 of 3D seismic data around the Maari oilfield in Taranaki, and that process was also now complete.

“We hope that by using more modern technology we have obtained better imaging of the Maari field, and that this will enable us to improve our ability to develop it further,” he said.

ends

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