Mineralogical study of the Tariki Sandstone, PEP 51155 and adjacent areas, Onshore Taranaki

This report documents the mineralogy of selected core and cuttings samples through Whaingaroan and Duntroonian (Oligocene) aged intervals, Taranaki Peninsula. Results suggest that Whaingaroan (Lwh) aged sandstones from the main producing fields of the central peninsula region (Kahili-Tariki North-Tariki-Ahuroa) have the best reservoir potential. They are fine- to medium-grained, quartzose sandstones with variable but generally minor feldspar contents. Feldspar is mostly K-feldspar and heavy minerals are mostly rutile with subordinate hornblende. The sediment has a dominant granitoid signature that might have come from a recycled granitoid source, possibly from the underlying Kapuni or Pakawau Group. Wells used in this study include Waihapa-1, Trapper-A1, Toko-1, Ahuroa-1, Tariki-4/4A, Tariki North-1A, Tuihu-1 and Beluga-1.