LOOKING FOR OIL

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 178, 29 July 1932, Page 5

LOOKING FOR OIL

AUSTRALIAN SEARCH. WELL-EQUIPPED EXPEDITION. AEROPLANES AND SCIENTISTS. Defence Force 'pianos, taking with them the Commonwealth Geographical Adviser (Dr. Woolnough)', left Melbourne recently on an experimental aerial survey flight round Australia. The first base'of the expedition was Darwin. Flight* will be undertaken from Darwin over areas little known geologically, but possessing features which are regarded as theoretically favourable for oil. The next base will be at Fitzroy Crossing, in the West Kimberley division ot West Australia, where undoubted evidence that the area is of a petroliferous j nature has been obtained by boring. It is hoped that the photographic method will materially supplement the geological work already accomplished by private enterprise, and that it may reveal other areas thereabouts in which detailed investigation may be undertaken with reasonable hopes of success. A reconnaissance will then be made with a base at Onslow, of the peninsula lying west of Exmouth Gulf, where cursory geological observations have been made. Nullabor Plains. The Woorainel River area, south-east of Carnarvon, will then receive attention. Here much promising- geological work has boon done, and a landing ground IS beinf prepared by Oil Search, Ltd., which co-opernted in the aerial survey of Longreach areas last year. Observations will be made between Carnarvon and Perth, where fresh photographic material will be picked up. The party will then go to the Nullabor Plains, and will carry on observations north, ana south of the transcontinental line. Between Adelaide and Melbourne the coastline will be followed and typical areas examined. It is anticipated that the expedition will leave Darwin about the end of July, will reach Perth about the beginning' of December, and will return to Melbourne about a fortnight later.