OIL TEST COMPANY

Press, Volume C, Issue 29525, 29 May 1961, Page 16

OIL TEST COMPANY

Office Shift (N.Z. Preu Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. May 28. The main office of Shell-BP-Todd OH Services. Ltd., will be moved to New Plymouth to be near oil search operations in Taranaki, according to the company’s chairman (Mr J. B. Price). The shift from Wellington is expected to be made some time in September. A staff of about 20 would be involved in the transfer, including the executive staff, geologists, paleontologist, and laboratory, Mr Price said. The company will occupy portion of the premises in a new four-storey building now being cumulated for the Bank of New Zealand on the comer of Devon and Brougham streets in the heart of New Plymouth’s business area. At present field staff are stationed in Taranaki and there has been some delay to details 'having to be referred to the office at Wellington. The change would bring the office nearer the centre of the conroanv’s physical operations, Mt Price said. These operations are centred on the Mangahewa No. 1 well at Tikorangi, near Waitara, and a new site for drilling at Kapuni. about 12 miles from Haw-era. This last site is near the Kapuni No. 1 well where a strong gas presstire was encountered during drilling to 1959. Testing to determine the oil-bearing strata in the Mango be wo No. 1 well had not yet begun. Mr Price said. Depending on howwork proceeded at the well, testing could begin this w-eek.

be involved in the transfer, including the executive staff, geologists, paleontologist, and laboratory, Mr Price said. The company will occupy portion of the premises in a new four-storey building now being completed for the Bank of New Zealand on the comer of Devon and Brougham streets in the heart of New Plymouth's business area. At present field staff are stationed in Taranaki and there has been some delay in details having to be referred to the office at Wellington. The change would bring the office nearer the centre of the comroanv’s physical operations, Mt Price said. These operations are centred on the Mangahewa No. 1 well at Tikorangi. near Waiters, and a new site for drilling at Kapuni. about 12 miles from Haw-era. This last site is near the Kapuni No. 1 well where a strong gas pressure was encountered during drilling in 1959. Testing to determine the nil-bearing strata in the Mangohewa No. 1 well had not yet begun. Mr Price said. Depending on how work proceeded at the well, testing could begin this week. The tests at the Mangahewa well, where drilling ceased about two months ago, are expected to take about two months.