New Zealand

OMV is a hydrocarbon producer providing natural gas to New Zealand as part of the energy transition.

The company began operating in New Zealand after acquiring a 30% share in the Maari oil field following the purchase of Cultus Petroleum of Australia in 1999. It has since expanded into a range of other assets through subsequent acquisitions. These include the Māui and Pohokura gas fields.

OMV New Zealand is a subsidiary of OMV Energy, which is part of the OMV Group, one of Austria’s largest listed industrial companies.

OMV is a highly experienced operator of mature onshore and offshore fields, focused on delivering safe and efficient production.

With offices in Wellington and New Plymouth, the company is a significant contributor to operating profit within OMV Energy’s portfolio.

OMV Assets in Taranaki, New Zealand

Production

OMV has interests in three offshore production licenses or petroleum mining permits – all in the Taranaki region. Current production is 37,500 boe per day (OMV), comprised of 72% gas, 28% condensate and oil.

Maari

Maari is New Zealand’s largest oil field and lies 80 km off the south Taranaki coast. OMV has a 69% share in this field.

Māui

Māui is one of New Zealand’s largest gas fields. It meets about 20% of New Zealand’s gas needs and is 100% owned by OMV. Māui was discovered in 1969 with first gas to shore ten years later in May 1979.
Production is processed through the Māui Production Station at Oaonui, Taranaki.

Pohokura

OMV has a 74% share in the Pohokura gas field in the Taranaki Basin. Pohokura began production in late 2006 and meets about 20% of New Zealand’s gas demand.
Production is processed through the Pohokura Production Station, which is remotely controlled from the New Plymouth office.

Facts / Milestones

Head office: Wellington / Operations base: New Plymouth
Around 280 employees
Operator of the Māui, Maari and Pohokura fields
Interests in three operated exploration permits
Daily average production in 2022 was more than 31,500 boe/day
2021 contribution in tax and royalties to Crown exceeds 163 mln NZ dollars (EUR 98 mln)
1999 Acquires 30% of Maari oil field
2002 Acquires 10% of Māui gas field. Increases Maari share to 69% and becomes operator.
2003 Acquires 26% of Pohokura gas field
2007 Secures Great South Basin (GSB) exploration permits
2008 Maari drilling program begins; Maari wellhead platform and FPSO Raroa arrive
2009 Maari first oil. Drilling of Manaia ERD well
2010 Maari reaches 10 million barrel milestone; acquires additional seismic in the GSB
2011 Secures two additional Taranaki Basin permits
2012 Completes GSB 3D seismic program. Additional permits in Taranaki and GSB
2013 Drills Matuku-1 exploration well and Manaia-2 appraisal well; purchase of the FPSO Raroa by the Maari JV
2014 Start of Maari Growth redevelopment drilling campaign; Awarded two operated exploration permits: Pegasus and Taranaki Basins
2015 Awarded four exploration permits in Taranaki Basin
2017 Maari Field produces 35 million barrels of oil
2018 Acquires Shell’s assets in New Zealand, including interests in Pohokura and Māui and related infrastructure
2020 Exploration Drilling of Tawhaki-1 in the Great South Basin; Gladstone-1 and Toutouwai-1 in the Taranaki Basin
2021 Māui East near-field discovery at Māui
2021-23 Additional wells drilled at Pohokura and Māui A & B

Exploration

OMV currently holds interests in three operated exploration permits, all in the Taranaki region.

NZ Energy Supply

OMV NZ provides around 50% of NZ’s gas supply, with the NZ gas market being isolated with no imports and exports. OMV’s main NZ customer is methanol producer Methanex.
Condensate and oil are exported.

OMV Strategy 2030

The OMV Strategy 2030 focuses on:

Net-zero emissions by 2050
Growth projects in natural gas, as an energy transition fuel
Fossil production will be reduced gradually until 2030
Low carbon business will be built, with significant investments in geothermal energy and CCS.

Reducing our Emissions

In line with our Strategy 2030, OMV NZ are focused on reducing existing emissions at our producing fields through electrification, solar etc.

In our communities

Actively engaging with local communities including Community Advisory Groups, neighbours, iwi, hapū and regulators is an important part of our business and maintaining our social license to operate.

Being socially responsible is a key part of OMV’s approach to sustainability and supporting the communities where we operate.

Projects include:

Large scale native tree planting in Taranaki and Wairarapa
Tree planting and wetland restoration on D’Urville Island
WISE Better Homes, insulation and energy solutions for low income Taranaki households
Roderique Hope Trust, emergency housing and supplies for Taranaki families in need
Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust biodiversity program
Redistributing surplus food to those in need through On The House New Plymouth
Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust
Distributing science resource kits to Taranaki primary schools with House of Science.