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Story: Oil and gas

Oil seep, Kōtuku (1st of 2)

Oil seep, Kōtuku

Oil and gas naturally rise towards the earth’s surface wherever there is a way up. If fault lines, fissures or cracks allow, petroleum emerges on the ground as sticky, oily deposits known as seeps. Early oil exploration in New Zealand focused on drilling in the vicinity of these seeps. However, it did not always follow that there was oil directly below, as the oil and gas might have taken a winding path.

About this item

Private collection
Photograph by Simon Nathan

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How to cite this page:

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond. 'Oil and gas', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 19-Nov-09
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/oil-and-gas/4/1/1