Deepwater seismic survey in progress off New Zealand
  by: OilOnline
  Tuesday, July 31, 2001

The specialist seismic vessel Polar Duke has commenced a major non-exclusive deepwater seismic survey offshore Taranaki, New Zealand. The Norwegian contractor TGS-Nopec and the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) have joined forces for the 59,340-square kilometer survey, which is expected to be completed around mid-August. Data interpretation is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2002. TGS-Nopec will license both the data and the GNS report to all interested parties. The survey is over an area regarded by scientists as the most attractive of New Zealand's deepwater basins. The government's Crown Minerals expects to offer the area for permitting in 2002.