NZ oil shares fall as Tui SW-2 comes up short

NZ oil shares fall as Tui SW-2 comes up short

by Pattrick Smellie

June 14 (BusinessWire) - Shares in listed New Zealand oil and gas companies exploring the Tui prospect fell immediately the NZX opened this morning, following announcement that "an economic accumulation of hydocarbons is not present" at the Tui SW-2 exploration well.

New Zealand Oil & Gas Ltd, a 12.5% partner in the well, fell 2.8% to $1.39, while shares in 10% partner Pan Pacific Petroleum fell 3.7% to 26 cents.

Shares in PPP and NZOG both rose last week when initial drilling reports found hydrocarbon shows.

There had been hopes that a commercially viable 10 metre oil column may have been found.

The well will now be converted to allow gas injection from the main Tui field, as was always intended, NZOG spokesman Chris Roberts told BusinessWire.

The Kan Tan IV drilling rig will now move several kilometres to the south-east to drill the Kahu-1 exploration well for the same partners.

The Tui South West prospect is located in mining licence PMP 38158, adjacent to the producing Tui oil field.

The field operator is ASX-listed AWE Ltd at 42.5%, and Mitsui E&P Pty Ltd is a 35% participant in the two well campaign.

(BusinessWire) 10:09:01

© Scoop Media