Seismic surveys have begun to assess the oil and gas potential of the seabed off the west coast of Northland.
The MV Pacific Titan will make soundings of the Reinga Basin, which stretches from Kaipara to around 600km north west of Cape Reinga.
Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee says current information suggests the area has a geology similar to the Taranaki basin, but current data is insufficient for the exploration industry to show any interest.
The Pacific Titan has been used in previous searches, off the East Coast in 2005 and in the Great South Basin in 2006.
