据油价网2月20日报道，在新冠疫情和监管机构压力加大之后，小型石油生产国新西兰暂停了一个潜在的主要油田的勘探。新西兰石油和天然气公司(NZOG)于2016年签定的合同，在新西兰东部坎特伯雷盆地的Barque前景区钻一口勘探井，预计成本为1.2亿美元。该公司最初被要求在2020年6月之前钻完探井。然而，由于新冠疫情期间面临的困难，这一期限被延长至2022年。
据信，Barque前景区拥有5.3亿桶原油当量，为该国小型石油投资组合提供了巨大的潜力。新西兰已探明的石油储量约为6400万桶，这使得Barque前景区成为进行更大规模勘探的重要地点。
然而，计划中的勘探是高风险的，估计只有10%到20%的机会发现石油。
NZOG及其合作伙伴Beach Energy周二申请放弃对该盆地的勘探许可，由于该盆地存在一些不利于勘探的挑战。
如果成功的话，该地区的生产在其整个使用期限内有望为NZOG挣得 320亿美元的特许权使用费和税收。 此外，预计其它将提供5700个工作岗位，并使新西兰的GDP增长71亿新西兰元（合51亿美元）。
郝芬 译自 油价网
原文如下：
Will New Zealand Ever Unlock Its Oil Potential?
Small oil producer New Zealand has halted exploration of a potentially major oil field in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and increased regulator pressure. New Zealand Oil and Gas (NZOG) won the contract in 2016 to drill an exploration well in the Barque prospect, in the Canterbury Basin to the east of New Zealand, at a projected cost of US$120 million. The company was initially given until June 2020 to drill the exploration well. However, this deadline was extended to 2022 due to the difficulties faced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Barque is thought to hold 530 million barrels of crude oil equivalent, presenting huge potential for the country’s small oil portfolio. New Zealand’s proven oil reserves amount to around 64 million barrels, making the Barque prospect a significant place of interest for greater exploration.
However, the planned exploration was high risk, with just a 10 to 20 percent estimated chance of striking oil.
NZOG and partner Beach Energy applied on Tuesday to surrender their permit to explore the basin due to several challenges creating unfavourable conditions for exploration.
If successful, production in the region was expected to earn NZOG $32 billion in royalties and taxes over its lifespan. In addition, it was expected to provide 5700 jobs and increase New Zealand’s GDP by $7.1 billion (US$5.1 billion).
