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NZO
22/04/2013 14:40
MINE
REL: 1440 HRS New Zealand Oil and Gas Limited
MINE: NZO: Seismic survey update
A 3D seismic survey in Petroleum Exploration Permit 53473 (Takapou) has been
completed ahead of time. A new 3D seismic survey has begun in the
neighbouring Karoro prospect in PEP52593.
Both permits lie north of the producing Tui oil field in the offshore
Taranaki basin.
The survey in the Takapou permit (PEP 53473) covered almost 600 square
kilometres and began on 4 April. It was expected to take up to 20 days. With
generally fine weather and few marine mammal encounters the survey has been
completed ahead of schedule.
At around 3 o'clock this morning WesternGeco's seismic survey vessel Western
Monarch moved on to begin a 3D survey covering around 300 square kilometres
in the Taranga permit, PEP52593. It's expected to be completed in the first
week of May, subject to weather and other possible interruptions.
NZOG has adopted a Code of Conduct developed by the Department of
Conservation for minimising acoustic disturbance to marine mammals. As in the
earlier survey, passive acoustic monitoring equipment will be used and four
specialist observers aboard will keep a round the clock watch to ensure
marine mammals aren't adversely affected during the survey.
In both permits New Zealand Oil & Gas is the operator and holds a 50 per cent
interest, with the remaining 50 per cent held by Octanex NZ Limited, a
subsidiary of ASX-listed explorer Octanex NL.
John Pagani
External Relations Manager
M: +64 21 570 872
End CA:00235424 For:NZO Type:MINE Time:2013-04-22 14:40:54
