Tarapunga-1 Exploration Well Commences Drilling

Origin Energy advises that drilling operations commenced at the Tarapunga-1 exploration well at 14:30 hours NZDST on 5 November 2010. The well is being drilled using the semi-submersible drilling rig Kan Tan IV which is being managed for Origin by Australian Drilling Associates (ADA). Drilling of the well is expected to take approximately 3 weeks.

Origin Energy advises that drilling operations commenced at the Tarapunga-1 exploration well at 14:30 hours NZDST on 5 November 2010. The well is being drilled using the semi-submersible drilling rig Kan Tan IV which is being managed for Origin by Australian Drilling Associates (ADA). Drilling of the well is expected to take approximately 3 weeks.

Tarapunga-1 is the second of a two well exploration program in New Zealand Offshore Petroleum Exploration Permit area PEP 38619 in the Northern Taranaki/Northland Basin. It lies in about 110 metres of water approximately 40 km off the Waikato coast and 94 kilometres south-southwest of central Auckland. Origin Energy Resources NZ Ltd (wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy) is operator, and has a 100% interest in PEP 38619.

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