Frigstad Offshore’s Kan Tan IV semi-submersible drilling rig spud in today offshore New Zealand according to an exchange filing.
The rig has been working offshore New Zealand for almost exactly a year and is now on contract with OMV New Zealand Ltd which operates license PEP 51313 in the Maari Field offshore Taranaki.
Horizon Oil, a 21 percent JV partner on the field notes the rig will drill to a total depth of 2,879 m over a 22-day period at the Whio-1 exploration well. The company adds,”The close proximity of Whio to existing production infrastructure at the Maari Field provides potential opportunities for early development of any discovered petroleum. A successful well at Whio will open additional exploration potential along the Tasman Ridge to the south of Maari, including the Matariki prospect.”