Queensland Will Be Top Australian Oil Centre

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29726, 20 January 1962, Page 15

Queensland Will Be Top Australian Oil Centre

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, January 19

Queensland this year will be the scene of Australia’s most expensive and intensive oil search, involving more than 30 wells and costing at least £6 miHion.

Drilling equipment is being prepared to sink more than 28 miles of holes during the year—more than twice the footage drilled last year. The number of wells planned is also more than twice last year's total. As a result of the promising oil strike near Tara and natural gas flows from wells in the Roma-lnjune area, at least nine companies or groups plan wells this year.

More than half the wells will be in the Surat Basin, but other wells will be in surrounding areas, far Western Queensland, and coastal districts. In addition to actual drilling, a record number of 12 seismic survey teams will be working and intensified geological investigation will be carried out. 30 Wells The 30 projected Queensland wells compare with seven in the whole of Australia two years ago. Four years ago no seismic crews were working in Queensland. The Union Oil Corporation, which made the Moonie oil strike near Tara,

with a flow rate of more than 2000 barrels a day, will spend several* million pounds on a drilling programme. Other oil companies have announced heavy programmes of seismic testing and drilling.