Story: Oil and gas

Kōtuku oilfield (2nd of 2)

Kōtuku oilfield

This map of the area around Lake Brunner on the West Coast of the South Island outlines the extent of the impressive Kōtuku oilfield, discovered in 1900. The map shows both oil seeps and gas escapes, and it also indicates boreholes and areas recommended for further boring. Little came of the bores put down. The only New Zealand locality where drilling on seeps has been successful is the small-scale Moturoa oilfield, on the New Plymouth foreshore.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: Percy Morgan, 'The Geology of the Greymouth Subdivision'. New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin 13 (1911): 146-147

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, 'Oil and gas - Early petroleum exploration, 1865–1960', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/map/8917/kotuku-oilfield (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006