Recent rumours within the New Zealand energy industry had Netherland Sewell and Associates International releasing its draft report to the Maui parties this week or next at the latest.
However, Maui Development Ltd chairman Lloyd Taylor told EnergyReview.Net today that he didn't expect any reply from the Texas firm before mid-January "at the very earliest".
And, before NSAI could reach any final conclusions, there was the requirement for any preliminary views to be delivered to the parties involved, for their consideration. The parties could then make submissions for NSAI to consider, Taylor added.
This means NSAI will issue its draft report to the principals (field owner Maui Development Ltd, the New Zealand government and the big three gas purchasers) for review and comment before issuing its final report to other parties.
Industry commentators say the review and subsequent comment would allow MDL to "correct" anything patently wrong - "such a thing has happened" - or to provide additional evidence to change NSAI's view on a certain point.
"All parties will want to review the final report in detail before any public statements are issued and, as sensitive as the issue of Maui reserves is, any public statements will be co-ordinated," said one commentator. "It is unlikely any public statements will be made before mid-February."
MDL shocked the New Zealand energy industry late last year when it announced that Maui could be depleted 2.3 years earlier than the contracted end of 2009. It later asked for a formal redetermination - an effective re-allocation of remaining reserves between the major users - but then the parties called in NSAI to settle this critical issue.
Netherland Sewell's conclusions should bring to a close the Maui redetermination matter, which could have turned into the most prolonged and bitter battle the New Zealand energy industry had seen for years. The parties to the Maui gas contracts - the New Zealand government, MDL, Methanex, NGC and Contact Energy - have also agreed that, in addition to deciding the level of remaining gas reserves, Netherland Sewell will consider any issues relating to the inadequacy of information provided by MDL, as claimed by Methanex.
