Associate Energy Minister Harry Duynhoven announced the move yesterday, saying there would now be 12 onshore and onshore-nearshore blocks in the 2008 Onshore Taranaki Basin Blocks Offer, bids for which close on May 30.

“I’m pleased to be able to extend the area for exploration, with the addition of these blocks which were not available at the time of the initial offer,” Duynhoven said.

“Through Crown Minerals, we have already provided technical data to investors, some of whom are new to New Zealand, which has encouraged them to examine the onshore Taranaki offer in closer detail.”

One of the three new blocks added to the round lies between the commercial Kaimiro gas and McKee-Mangahewa oil and gas fields; another is immediately north of Kaimiro; while the last is immediately west and south of Kaimiro.

For details of the blocks offer see www.crownminerals.govt.nz