Shell could delay deepwater drilling planned in New Zealand until next year.
According to reports the oil major and its two partners OMV and Mitsui E&P had been planning to drill a test well in the Great South Basin this year.
However the company has said it needs more time to evaluate the basin’s complex geology.
Shell New Zealand chairman Rob Jager said:”We won’t be drilling in 2016. We are in discussion with New Zealand Petroleum and Minierals, we’re awaiting their decision on the revised work programme.”
The expected delay comes in the same week the company said it would be pulling out of its Arctic programme.
Earlier this week the company was also forced to shut down a pipeline in Nigeria after a leak.
