1) Geology and Petroleum Prospects of the Lower Matiri Valley Area, Murchison. 2) Petroleum Prospects of the Murchison Basin. 3) Geology and hydrocarbon Prospects of the Upper Mangles Valley area, Murchison.

This report is an appraisal of the Murchison Basin using data from published literature, petroleum reports and the results from a seismic survey of the area. It also includes unpublished mapping undertaken by Dr Pat Suggate of the NZ Geological Survey. This report concludes that the criteria for the accumulation of economic quantities of hydrocarbons may be fulfilled for some parts of the basin and that further exploration is justified. Due to the very poor results of the 1978 Seismic Survey it is recommended that no further seismic be shot at this stage. Both gravity and magnetic surveys are considered to be of little value also. The sandstones of the Maruia Formation emerge as the best prospect for oil accumulation. Further field work to investigate small anticlines present in the area is recommended.