Pohokura

The Pohokura Field is located in the Taranaki Basin immediately offshore from Motunui in Permit 38154.

Field History

The Field was first discovered in February 2000 with the drilling (by Fletcher Challenge Energy) of Pohokura-01 well 4.6 kilometres offshore in 30 metres of water. This well was followed by Pohokura-02 in May/June 2000. Analysis of tests from both wells confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons in commercial quantities.

These first two wells were later followed by Pohokura-03 and Pohokura South-01B to further appraise the field and improve the subsurface understanding.

In 2001 Fletcher Challenge Energy's assets were acquired by Shell Petroleum Mining. Currently, the Field is owned and operated by a joint venture partnership comprising Shell Exploration NZ (48%); OMV New Zealand Ltd (26%); and Todd Pohokura Ltd (26%).

Field Facilities

First commercial gas flowed in September 2006 from 3 onshore extended reach drilling (ERD) wells in the southern part of the field. In March 2007 gas and condensate flowed from the first of offshore wells. 5 wells produce from the PPB platform which produces to shnore via a 9km subsea piepline. Both the offshore platform and on shore production plant are unmanned and are controlled via a control room at New Plymouth which is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Finished product is delivered to the market from the production station by way of two sets of pipelines owned by Todd Energy and Shell/OMV for both gas and condensate.