The Government has announced a $7.5 million package aimed at stocktaking the New Zealand's oil and gas reserves.
Crown Minerals is funding the mapping, which is being done by GNS Science over two years. Work is already underway.
The plan is to create a free database of New Zealand's oil and gas fields, for use by overseas exploration companies.
Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee says companies will be able to use desktop software to display the geological features and sedimentary layers in oil-rich areas like Taranaki.
