(Published by Arrangement.) WAIPATIKI OIL FIELDS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3082, 12 May 1917, Page 2

(Published by Arrangement.) WAIPATIKI OIL FIELDS

[ Professor Easterfiold's report:— i Dear Sir,—Tho sample of gas forwarded ■ by you gave me the following analytical i results:— . (CH4) Marsh Gas (Methane) 66.5 (C2H6) Ethane 15.4 Nitrogen 14.5 Oxygen 2.4 ' t (CO2) Carbon Dioxide 1.2 100.0 The gas would be very suitable for ■ driving a gas engine or burning with an incandescent mantle. ■ :OIL INDICATIONS IN THE WEBER . .DISTRICT. • -. Scientific men are not yet agreed as to the precise origin of petroleum; but it is recognised that it is, in all probability, formed out of decaying animal and vegetable matter. It is now accepted by geologists that, the petroleum is al- . ways found in a series of "fields'-' which are really natural under-ground tanks, and that these fields always run parallel to a mountain range. Theso mountain - ranges are not always to be found to- , day, as they may have disappeared; but even if indications of their position [can be traced the petroleum mining. engineer knows where the deposits are to be looked for. ■ - Considering these • two main points in 1. regard to-the -Weber district,'we haye tho mountain range in existence to-dav, and gas indications' are found parallel to it, so that in this respect the position of .the Waipatiki Oil Field is very promising, Evidences of marine organisms arc also found throughout the district, which would supply the animal ; matter required. In. order to conserve the oil formed trom the animal matter of these'organisms, .it is necessary to have a thick overlying bed, as if this upper strata is thin, and especially if it is broken by volcanic action and earth movements greater part of theoil may have escaped. We may have profuse surface indications but the prospect of tapping a large sup- - ply of.oil will be small. On the other hand, if tho overlying bed is thick'and unbroken, it naturally confines the oil, and tho main indications on the surface may bo lighter gases. Now, the overlying marls in this district are thick, possibly from 3000 ft. to 5000 ft., and if tho bore proves the existence of underlying strata rich in marine organisms, the conditions are favourable not only for finding oil, but for the tapping of a large supply of oil. All the normal paraffins are found in nature, chiefly in petroleum wells."from which the gaseous hydrocarbons are evolved as.soon as the pressure-ceases that holds thojn in solution in the crude 'oil; Baku is the centre of a famous oil field. The holy'fire of Baku which has been burning as long as history goes goes back is methane From, the oil wells in America methane and ethane is'suo, arid are conducted'through;, pipes and -utilised for lighting, etc.' -By referring to Professor Eaeterfield's analysis of the gas issuing from the ground close to the company's bore,.it will .be.seen that this gas is especially rich in methane and ethane. The petroleum found in many of the world's famous fields contains nitrogen, which has received the name nitrogen-petroleum. On again referring to the analysis of the gas, it will be seen that it contains n considerable proportion of nitrogen. Petroleum deposits consist mainly of hydrocarbons, and the first of these to come off are tho gaseous, ones. Tho -report shows the gas to consist mainly of-the hydrocarbons, methane, and ethane. An analysis of tho petroleum from Pennsylvania and Balnn gives the following results :— Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Pennsylvanian .... 84.9. 13.7 1.4 Baku 86.6 12.3 1.1 Professor Easterfield's report on the Weber gas gives the following percentage of these elements:—. Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Weber gas ....- 62.51 19.68 3.07 When it is remembered that the lighter gases have a higher percentage of hydrogen and consequently less of carbon, the above comparison certainly points .to the fact that this gas is derived from a petroleum supply. To sum-up: Both chemical and geological considerations afford favourable evidence as to the presence of a largo supply of petroleum iu this district.- The test of this evidence is iu the bore going through the overlying rasrl bed, which is probably from 3000 to 5000 feet thiok. J. A. COLQUHOUN, M.Sc. Science-master \ Palmerston North High School. ' v