SEARCH FOR OIL IN PAPUA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28895, 15 May 1959, Page 16

SEARCH FOR OIL IN PAPUA

Second Hole At Puri (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) r MELBOURNE, May 14. A second deviated hole will be drilled at Puri, Papua, immediately, as a part of the oil search programme, the Australian Petroleum Company announced yesterday. The first deviated hole was completed at 7927 feet, the company said. It provided structural information of considerable assistance in planning the course of the second deviated hole. The company confirmed its report of April 21 that a small flow of gas, oil and water occurred in the first deviation between 7498 feet and 7528 feet. It said the limestone below 7528 feet proved to be water bearing. Oil flowed at the Puri well last November. The well was then plugged, and deviated, or sidetrack drilling was planned in order to penetrate the oil horizon at a lateral distance from the original hole. The first deviated hole appears to show that on one side of the original drilling at least the oil flow area does not continue. Australian Petroleum said in yesterday’s report that the drill site at Bwata, 15 miles north-west of Puri, was now completed. Rig components were being flown in by helicopter. In the general Purl area seismic survey for obtaining structural information has begun.