OILFIELDS REPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 14

OILFIELDS REPORTS

Oil flowed on Tuesday night from the No. % bore of the Blenheim Oil Well Reclamation Company at Moturoa. It was shortly after 6 o'clock, when swabbing operations were in progress, that the gas pressure increased sufficiently to push the swab out and sfend a deluge o£ oil over the top of the" derrick. Basing for a brief period, the well again sent up a high shower and.in this geyser-like fashion continued s an active display for about half an hour. The bore became quiet again, and the swab was reinserted to assist action. • The gas pressure increasted again, and it was reported that there was a steady flow for about ten miuutes. The main valve tr.as then closed and the gauge set. The oil at various times was mixed with mud and slush. It rose through the centre 6i the bore and filled the 3in casing extending to a depth of 2170 feet. The derrick, the1 plant, and the ground round about wore thickly coated with viscons petroleum.

At 8 p.m. the gauge registered a gas pressure of 3001b. Subsequently oil under great "pressure shot out from beneath the gauge. The flow was intermittent at first, but it increased in volume. A steady stream of practically pure ■ oil crossed the floor of the derrick, and_ was led to pits and tanks/. This continued for about twenty minutes under a strong gas pressure. Another- blow-out occurred at 9.45 p.m.. Though mud and slush came up at various times, some pure petroleum was obtained and placed in barrels. Shortly after 10 p.m. the pressure again reached 3001b. The secretary of Moturoa Oil Fields; Ltd., Mr. :P.' H. Bask, has received the followinpc report for the week ended 18th April:; "Drilled to 084 feet in grey shale, with occasional thin beds of sandstone."