DEEP DRILLING
OIL PROSPECTS IN XARANAKI
Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Development Company, N.L., has issued a memorandum to shareholders in which it is stated that following on geological and geophysical surveys extending over twenty months in the Taranaki Province. . several structures in which petroleum might; be expected to accumulate have been selected. One of these structures; the existence of which has "been disclosed by the employment of: seismographic . methods of survey, has been selected for a drilling test. This is at Midhirst. The actual drilling site is three-quarters of a mile northwest of the township, and incidentally 19 miles as the crow flies from Moturba, where two wells continue to produce nine to ten barrels of oil per day. A heavy drilling plant, powered by diesel engines, has been imported from California to drill the Midhirst and other tests. The plant is now, being transported to the site, and it is expected that drilling will commence in the latter part of May. The plant is capable of drillingfto a depth exceeding 10,000 ft, and following upon penetration of the superficial sheet of volcanic ash, which completely covers the sedimentary rock in this locality, as it does atMoturoa. a good rate of drilling is anticipated. . On the east side of the North Island the company is sinking its second test well at Morere, within , one mile of the northern shore line of Hawke's Bay. The heavy plant formerly employed at Totangi is being used, and the well, which was started on February 12, had reached a depth of 1090 ft on March 26, the first casing having been run and cemented at 250 ft. All preparations have been made for a deep and as nearly as possible conclusive test at, Morere.
While these two wells are being drilled the geological and geophysical survey will be continued in order that future selected sites for test drilling with these plants may be immediately available and prepared to receive the plant when the present wells have been completed. The"1 total area of the licensed areas held by the company approximates 5112 square miles.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 77, 1 April 1940, Page 10
Word Count
348DEEP DRILLING Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 77, 1 April 1940, Page 10
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