Origin Energy Ltd.’s NZ$1.3 billion ($930 million) Kupe gas project in New Zealand is reported to be in plans to operate, registering significantly higher rates of liquefied petroleum gas the past month, partner N. Z. Oil & Gas posted.

The offshore project concluded commissioning March 22 and yielded 4.47 petajoules of gas and 496,000 barrels of light oil during its first quarter, the Wellington-based explorer uncovered today.

However, LPG production of 12,200 metric tons marked a low, reflecting the steady jump in carbon dioxide extraction over the entire period, Managing Director David Salisbury told.

The shares of the company registered a slip 1 cent to NZ$1.54 at 12:15 p. m. in Wellington. The NZX 50 Index marked a boost 0.1 percent. Origin plunged 2 cents to A$15.97 at 11:24 a. m. in Sydney.

“We are seeing a significant uplift in LPG revenue” since commissioning, he said on a conference call with journalists. The project is running well and should produce about 90,000 tons of the fuel annually, he explained.

Government-owned generator Genesis Power Ltd. operates 31 percent of Kupe and takes all its pipeline gas. It now operates off take, however, at an increased gas price compared to during commissioning.