Moves To Proof Of Oil Field Extent

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29871, 11 July 1962, Page 14

Moves To Proof Of Oil Field Extent

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, June 9.

Overseas laboratory tests and intensive field work in Taranaki are getting closer towards proving the extent and potential of the whole oil field, a statement from the exploration company. Shell-8.P.-Todd Oil Services, Ltd., said today.

The latest move was the temporary closing in today of Kapuni No. 3. the well where the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) began the flow of gas and condensate on Saturday afternoon. Since then the well has been producing natural gas at approximately 1,006.000 cubic feet a day with substantial quantities of condensate While the well is closed in pressure measurements will be taken.

Initial production has been comparable with that in the promising first two Kapuni wells, according to the company.

Production testing of the well will resume soon and will continue for the next two or three weeks. In the latter stages when larger well head apertures are used, the rate of production is likely to increase substantially.

The company suggests this may result in the appearance of a much larger flare than the 30ft flare which burned from the well at the weekend. The statement said: “If the

production tests are successful they will confirm that the Kapuni gas condensate reservoir already discovered by the two earlier wells extends into the southern end of the structure.

“The next well, Kapuni No. 4. will be drilled in the northern half about a mile and a half north of Kapuni No. 1. “If this well is successful it will go a long way towards proving the extent and potential of the whole field.” Before this can be determined a technical analysis of the reservoir characteristics must be completed. This has been going on for some months in laboratories overseas, using samples taken from the earlier Kapuni wells.

“When the results of these investigations become available and Kapuni No. 4 has been drilled, reliable estimates of the minimum quantities recoverable from the reservoir should be possible,” the statement said.