Updated info on NZ's petroleum data for explorers
New Zealand released an updated 2025 petroleum exploration data package to attract investment, featuring 74 new wells and 31 3D seismic surveys since the 2018 update.
Resources Minister Shane Jones highlighted the release of the 2025 Petroleum Exploration Data Pack by New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals (NZP&M) as a tool to boost investment in petroleum exploration across the country’s basins. The update marks the first comprehensive revision since 2018, reflecting New Zealand’s ongoing efforts to provide current and accessible geoscience data to industry stakeholders.
The 2025 Data Pack consolidates New Zealand’s largest open-file collection of petroleum exploration information, including well logs, seismic surveys, geological maps, and technical reports. This compilation aims to demonstrate the nation’s resource potential and streamline decision-making for explorers evaluating investment opportunities in prospective regions.
Since the 2018 release, the updated package incorporates 74 additional wells and 31 new 3D seismic surveys, expanding coverage by nearly 16,000 square kilometers. These additions enhance the granularity and accuracy of subsurface data, which is critical for identifying prospective drilling locations and reducing exploration risk.
The government emphasizes that high-quality geoscience data is a primary factor influencing investment decisions in petroleum exploration. By making this information publicly available, New Zealand seeks to strengthen its position as an attractive destination for exploration companies while supporting sustainable resource development.