Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) Limited, on behalf of the Kupe Joint Venture, is pleased to
announce the achievement of a major milestone in the Kupe Gas Project - the completion
of offshore facilities.
The offshore well head platform, three production wells and pipeline to shore, which are
half the cost of the entire project, are now ready for production and await completion of
the onshore production station next year before starting to flow gas and associated
hydrocarbon liquids from the Kupe field.
Kupe Project Director Peter Ashford commented:
"Three development wells are now connected to the platform and from mid 2009, once
the onshore works are completed, will supply 15% of New Zealand's projected gas
demand, 50% of the LPG demand and 14.7 million barrels of condensate over the
projected life of the field".
"All of these wells have all been production tested and high flow rates of gas and
condensate have been demonstrated from each as expected".
"Completion of this part of the project is a credit to the project team, which includes
development partners Technip, drilling management advisors Australian Drilling Associates
and Ensco Drilling, as well as the local workforce and the wider community. We are
delighted with the way that everyone has worked together to make this possible".
"It is also in large part due to the co-operation that we have received from many New
Zealand companies and agencies, particularly in New Plymouth and in Picton".
The Kupe Gas Project received Government approval in June 2006 and the offshore
programme of work includes:
• The fabrication and installation of a normally unmanned well head platform 30km
offshore from South Taranaki;
• The drilling and testing of 3 wells on the well head platform;
• The fabrication and installation of a 12 inch pipeline to carry the well fluids from
the wells to the production station situated on the cliff tops near Hawera;
• The fabrication and installation of an umbilical to carry power, controls and
chemicals from the production station to the wellhead platform; and
• The drilling of two world record length tunnels under the South Taranaki cliffs to
carry the pipeline and umbilical.
The Kupe Gas Project will now focus on completing the onshore facilities and the
production station in particular, to the agreed schedule and budget.
Importantly, the project has to date been free from significant injuries and environmental
incidents.
Completion of the offshore components of the project means the Ensco 107 drilling rig has
been released from the Kupe location. This rig is currently moving to a nearby location to
drill the Momoho exploration well for the Joint Venture.
Kupe Offshore Completion [92kB]
