Earlier this week EnergyReview.Net predicted the second contract for the Markab, though OMV NZ commercial and legal director David Salisbury declined to comment at the time.

Now OMV Petroleum Maari asset manager David Law has confirmed this additional work - "a contract has been awarded to Fugro for the Markab to conduct geotechnical work for the Maari project", he said from Perth.

Although Law did not comment further on the Markab Maari project, it is believed to be geotechnical work associated with possible further well sites and any proposed subsea completions.

And the fact that PEP 38413 operator OMV has contracted Fugro almost certainly scotches earlier rumours that Maari field economics remained marginal and that a question mark hung over the whole project.

The 1565-tonne Markab is now almost halfway through a geotechnical investigation off the north Taranaki coast for Pohokura operator Shell Todd Oil Services. It is drilling test holes about 6km and 12km off the Motunui coast for two proposed Pohokura platforms, as well as drilling test holes along the proposed pipeline route to shore.

The Markab is the second specialist vessel to arrive in Taranaki waters this year and joins the Seaworks specialist catamaran MV Seawatch, which is still here after doing a short geotechnical Pohokura pipeline survey.