Cave-in Halts Tests Again

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31677, 13 May 1968, Page 1

Cave-in Halts Tests Again

(New Zealand Preet Aesociation) WESTPORT, May 12. Tests at the Blackwater No. 1 oil rig, south-west of Murchison, were hindered during the week-end by what appeared to be a caved-in well wall below 1480 ft.

Supply For Chch? The Christchurch Gas Company would be very interested in natural gas if commercial quantities were discovered at Murchison, the chairman (Mr A. M. Satterthwaite) said yesterday. Even if gas were there in large quantities it would be some years before Christchurch could switch to a natural supply, he said. A strike at Murchison could benefit Blenheim, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. He said the output of gas in Christchurch was the same as in Auckland and Wellington. Although the number of domestic consumers had declined over the years the amount taken by commercial undertakings had risen. There are about 13,000 consumers in Christchurch, for whom connection to a natural supply would mean a drop in price. Asked if gas could compete with electricity as a fuel, Mr Satterthwaite said: “Yes, but we pay tax and they don’t”

This involved dropping a long steel swabbing rod about 1400 ft and drawing it out at speed. This forced water and mud out under pressure. It was hoped gas would follow, but there was none.

The cave-in is preventing gas, thought to be located about z 1500 ft and 1600 ft, from escaping. Tests late yesterday afternoon produced slight traces of gas. When lit it produced a flame about three feet long for a short while, but it settled down to a flame about two or three inches long for the rest of the night This morning the swabbing technique was under the direction of the American in charge of the project Mr E. B. Lacaff, jun., the executive vice-president of the Australian Oil Corporation. This afternoon and evening the drillers were working two 12-hour shifts, cleaning out the well to 1480 ft by pumping muddy water, circulating it and drawing it out again. Later tonight 59 steel tubes will be withdrawn from the well and then reinserted with pipes, some of which will be slotted and driven about 1595 ft. It is hoped that gas will escape through the slots into the well. The next tests will not be made before tomorrow morning.