STRONG OIL FLOW

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 188, 7 May 1931, Page 5

STRONG OIL FLOW

Blenheim No. 2 Well

HEAVY GAS PRESSURE

By Telegraph—Press Association.

New Plymouth, ■ May 6.

Stated to be the best since oil commenced to show on April 20, a strong blow-out occurred at Blenheim No. 2 well to-day. During swabbing operations the pressure rose to 3701 b. At that, stage oil shot up over the top of the derrick several times before the valves were closed and the flow directed into the storage tanks. There was a steady flow for an hour or more. . Mr. R. H. Launder, the superintendent, said No. 2 well was probably the first in New Plymouth to have been brought in under'control. The gas pressure was held on the reservoir instead of being allowed to blow wild. This had the effect of curtailing the initial production, but had proved the correct course. For a week it was necessary to swab the well to induce the oil to flow, but latterly there had been an increased tendency to “self-flow.” The policy of the directors had been to swab about 10 barrels a day. The flow had been at a daily average of 32 barrels each of 35 gallons for the 16 days the well had been flowing. The amount in storage since the well commenced to flow on April 20 was 18,000 gallons.