The offshore
Maui gas/condensate field was
discovered by Shell BP and Todd on Services Limited in 1969. Subsequent
appraisal drilling and negotiations with the Government led to a development
agreement, The Maui White Paper' being concluded in 1973. Part of this
agreement provided for the Government to take a 50 per cent shareholding in the
field.
The field is comprised of a double
domed anticlinal structure containing two gas reservoirs at depths ranging from
2700 - 3000 m. Water depth is 110 m.
The
development plan called for two standalone steel platforms to be installed
sequentially over a period of some years depending on gas demand. The first
platform (MPA) was put in place in 1976 but difficulties were experienced with
piling and drilling of the 12 (later increased to 14) wells did not start until
1978. First gas was piped ashore late in 1979.