Story: Oil and gas

Rimu-A1 well

Rimu-A1 well

The Rimu-A1 well in south-eastern Taranaki was discovered in 1999. This was an exploration well (known as a wildcat). One of the benefits of drilling in Taranaki is that many of the rock layers beneath the surface are potential oil and gas reservoirs. This means drillers can have more than one bite at the cherry. The Rimu-A1 well found some hydrocarbons in sandstone (at 3,596 metres and 4,111 metres) and limestone (at 4,210 metres). At a depth of around 5,000 metres the well flowed and produced 1,500 barrels of oil per day and 4.8 million cubic feet of gas – a successful strike.

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New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, Ministry for Economic Development

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How to cite this page:

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, 'Oil and gas - The amount of oil and gas found', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8938/rimu-a1-well (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006