???? 據油價網2月20日報道，在新冠疫情和監管機構壓力加大之后，小型石油生產國新西蘭暫停了一個潛在的主要油田的勘探。新西蘭石油和天然氣公司(NZOG)于2016年簽定的合同，在新西蘭東部坎特伯雷盆地的Barque前景區鉆一口勘探井，預計成本為1.2億美元。該公司最初被要求在2020年6月之前鉆完探井。然而，由于新冠疫情期間面臨的困難，這一期限被延長至2022年。

????據信，Barque前景區擁有5.3億桶原油當量，為該國小型石油投資組合提供了巨大的潛力。新西蘭已探明的石油儲量約為6400萬桶，這使得Barque前景區成為進行更大規模勘探的重要地點。

????然而，計劃中的勘探是高風險的，估計只有10%到20%的機會發現石油。

????NZOG及其合作伙伴Beach Energy周二申請放棄對該盆地的勘探許可，由于該盆地存在一些不利于勘探的挑戰。

????如果成功的話，該地區的生產在其整個使用期限內有望為NZOG掙得 320億美元的特許權使用費和稅收。 此外，預計其它將提供5700個工作崗位，并使新西蘭的GDP增長71億新西蘭元（合51億美元）。

????郝芬 譯自 油價網

????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).