PETROL FLOWS

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1940, Page 3

PETROL FLOWS

Shale Oil Plant NEW SOUTH WALES SCHEME • SYDNEY, August 29. The flow of petrol has begun from the oil shale fields at Glen Davis, about 150 miles west of Sydney. A new page of Australia’s industrial history was written when the Minister of Supply, Sir Frederick Stewart, turned a tap and the first petrol produced in commercial quantities in Australia gushed into waiting containers. Later the petrol was used in a car which carried the Minister to Sydney. There was deep significance in the simple ceremony, for it marked another advance by Australia toward self-sufficiency. By turning the tap, Sir Frederick Stewart released the first of the petrol from the cracking plant into one of the several milliongallon storage tanks, whence it will soon be pumped 30 miles and over a 3000 ft. mountain to the railhead at Newnes Junction Within a few days the full battery of 108 retorts will be absorbing nearly 500 tons of shale-a day, and producing 58,000 gallons of crude oil, which will be converted into about 35,000 gallons of petrol --approximately 10,000,000 gallons a year More than 800 men are now employed at Glen Davis wresting petrol from the rich shale deposits which run for miles under the inhospitable and seemingly impassable mountain peaks. The works are never idle, the men working three shifts a day lor seven days a week. The Glen Davis shale deposits are claimed to be among the richest in the world, and yield more than 100 gallons of oil to the ton—more than four <fines the amount obtained from Scott'sh shale. Great Potentialities Mr George Davis, chairman of directors of the operating company, said the plant was capable of great development, and, though able to deal with only about 500 tons of shale a day aj present, the mine could produce up to 3000 tons a day. When operating difficulties were overcome and the present units running more smoothly, rapid extension enabling increased production could be expected. Beside the plant, which covers an area of about 50 acres, considerable work is in progress to provide the amenities which are demanded by the 800 men at present employed, and the population of 4000 which is already in sight. A town has been planned, and the roads partially made. All the shop, bank and garage sites have been sold or allocated, and many home sites have been sold.