New Zealand to Offer Block for Gas Exploration

New Zealand government is likely to offer a 2739 square kilometre block of land in Hamilton for commercial gas exploration.

The block covers large parts of the Waikato and Waipa districts . The Waikato block could prove to hold attractive reserves of coal seam gas as the region is rich in coal.

Coal seam gas would be the primary focus in this block. Extracted gas would be transported to the North Island gas network for exports.

However, government believes it could take years before drilling rigs could be seen in the Waikato.