Kupe Gas Project Commences Commissioning 1

ASX/Media Release
4 December 2009

Kupe Gas Project commences commissioning

Origin Energy New Zealand (`Origin'), on behalf of the Kupe Joint Venture, has announced that commissioning of the Kupe facilities has commenced with the wells being opened and the first gas and liquids being piped ashore to the gas processing plant at Hawera.

Commenting on the project, Origin's Executive General Manager, Major Development Projects, Mr Andrew Stock said, "The complex offshore and onshore Kupe production system is now being bedded down through a commissioning period. We expect that full steady state production will be achieved in the next couple of months.

"Everyone who has worked to deliver Kupe during the past three and a half years has done so, paying particular attention to their own and their workmates safety, as well as the environment, resulting in a project with an outstanding safety record.

"As one of New Zealand's largest projects in recent years, Kupe has drawn on a wide range of industry, community and government resources, from Taranaki and Picton regions in particular and beyond, across the rest of New Zealand. We sincerely thank them for their support."

Origin's Executive General Manager of Upstream Oil and Gas, Mr Paul Zealand, said once Kupe was fully operational it would make a significant contribution for the next 15-20 years to New Zealand's gas supply needs, initially providing 10-15 per cent of the nation's annual gas demand when at peak production.

"Once fully commissioned, Kupe is also expected to produce up to 90,000 tonnes per annum of LPG more than 50 per cent of the country's demand - and it will significantly reduce the need to import LPG to meet New Zealand's needs," Mr
Zealand said.

Over the life of the project Kupe is expected to provide approximately 254
petajoules of natural gas, 1.1 million tonnes of LPG and 14.7 million barrels of light crude.

For more information on the Kupe Gas Project please go to:
http://www.originenergy.com.au/1222/Kupe-Gas-Project

Kupe Gas Project participants are:
Origin Energy Resources (Kupe) Limited*
50 per cent (Operator)

Genesis Energy
31 per cent

New Zealand Oil & Gas Limited
15 per cent

Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd
4 per cent

*a wholly owned subsidiary of Origin Energy Limited

For further information please contact:

Media
Tim Scott
Group Manager, Media Relations
Ph : +61 2 8345 5306
Mobile: +61 428 964 820

Lina Melero
General Manager, Corporate Communication
Ph: + 61 2 8345 5217
Mobile: + 61 427 017 798

Investors
Angus Guthrie
Group Manager, Investor Relations
Ph: +61 2 8345 5558
Mobile: +61 417 864 255

About Origin Energy
Origin Energy is Australasia's leading integrated energy company focused on gas and oil exploration and production, power generation and energy retailing.

Listed in the ASX top 20 the company has approximately 4,000 employees, is a leading producer of gas in eastern Australia, is the largest owner and developer of gas-fired electricity generation in Australia and is a leading wholesaler and retailer of energy. The company services more than 3.5 million electricity, natural gas and LPG customers across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Origin's strategic positioning and portfolio of assets provide flexibility, stability and significant opportunities for growth in the ever changing energy industry. Through Australia Pacific LNG, its 50:50 incorporated joint venture with ConocoPhillips, Origin is developing one of Australia's largest CSG to LNG projects based on Australia's largest CSG reserves base.

In New Zealand, Origin is the major shareholder in Contact Energy, the country's leading integrated energy company, operating geothermal, thermal and hydro generation facilities and servicing electricity, gas and LPG customers across both the North and South islands. Origin also operates several oil and gas projects in New Zealand and is one of the largest holders of petroleum exploration acreage in the country.

Origin has a strong focus on ensuring the sustainability of its operations, is the largest green energy retailer in Australia and has significant investments in renewable energy technologies. For more information go to www.originenergy.com.au

Origin Energy Limited
ABN 30 000 051 696
Level 45 Australia Square,
264-278 George Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
GPO Box 5376,
Sydney NSW 2001
Telephone (02) 8345 5000
Facsimile (02) 9252 1566
www.originenergy.com.au

SOURCE: Origin Energy