Energy Minister Collins sees exploration activity returning in latest block offer

Energy Minister Collins sees exploration activity returning in latest block offer
Paul McBeth
By Paul McBeth March 22 (BusinessDesk) - Energy Minister Judith Collins expects oil and gas exploration activity will return as margins start to improve. She was launching the government's 2017 block offer for five offshore, two onshore, and one mix of on and offshore areas spanning 481,735 square kilometres, with bidders having until Sept. 6 to lodge their applications. The tender follows a particularly weak year in 2016 when there was just one successful bid, by Todd Corp, for a permit in the Taranaki Basin. That year there were four of...