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8747267 
Journal Article 
Overview of New Zealand's petroleum systems, potential 
Cook, R; Gregg, R 
1997 
0 
Oil and Gas Journal
ISSN: 0030-1388 
95 
1 
55-58 
English 
New Zealand has at least 10 sedimentary basins with the potential to produce economic levels of hydrocarbons. The petroleum system of the Taranaki basin in the western province is described. The stratigraphic framework of the Taranaki basin and the primary souce rocks are outlined. Much of the hydrocarbon generation and migration into known reservoirs occurred relatively late in the basin's history. The cap rocks of the basin and the development of petroleum accumulations are described. The potential production from the Taranaki basin is considered. New Zealand and its extensive offshore territory are well endowed with sedimentary basins that formed over the past 100 million years. Most have been partially explored. Hydrocarbons are found in most New Zealand basins, but it is only since the 1960s that hydrocarbon production has been significant. Currently, New Zealand's total estimated remaining reserves are some 145 million bbl of oil and 2.4 tcf of gas. As the proven reserves continue to deplete, the prospectivity of all the basins is being addressed.