Statoil has been awarded four new exploration permits offshore New Zealand, a press release said.

The permits are awarded by the New Zealand government through the 2014 Block Offer. Statoil will participate in three blocks in the East Coast and Pegasus basins as a partner and is taking on operatorship for one new permit next to existing acreage in the Reinga Basin.

Blocks 57083, 57085 and 57087 are awarded with Chevron as operator and both companies holding a 50% working interest. The permits are located in the East Coast and Pegasus basins, southeast off New Zealand’s North Island. The permits cover more than 25,000 sq km (9,650 sq miles) and sit in water depths between 800 m and 3,000 m (2,625 ft and 9,840 ft). The initial phase of the project will consist of data collection.

Block 57057 is awarded to Statoil with a 100% working interest. It is located in the Reinga Basin offshore Northland, adjacent to Statoil’s existing exploration acreage. The permit sits about 100 km (62 miles) offshore and covers an area of 1,670 sq km (645 sq miles) in water depths of around 1,500 m (4,920 ft). Statoil has committed to acquire 200 km (124 miles) of 2-D seismic data within the permit.