SEARCH FOR OIL

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1929, Page 7

SEARCH FOR OIL

AUSTRALIAN - PROSPECTS. SYDNEY, September 19. The report on the Roma oilfields that hnß just been issued by the Federal Geological Adviser (Dr W. G. Wooluough) is perhaps the most encouraging oil report since the search for that valuabe product commenced in the Commonwealth many years ago. Certain prominent geologists have from time to time expressed the opinion that oil would never be found in this great Continent —that the general make up of the country suggested otherwise. In the circumstances,- it needed some .courage to carry out the expensive investigations that have marked recent years, and now it seems as though the expense was quite justified. Still, it may be many years before any reward is reaped, but if oil is found in commercial quantities many people are going to become rich in a very short time. And so the gamifie goes on, and it will continue to go on now that official encouragement is forthcoming.

Summed up, Dr Woolnough’s report may he put in these terms: —“There is room for unrestrained optimism, but -here is nothing to justify extravagant statements.”. He says that the opera r tions on Hosnital'Hill, Roma, have revealed the existance of an important gas field, hut have proved fairly conclusively that the small quantities of light oil obtained along with the gas are not likely to be delivered from a local oil reservoir of considerable dimensions. The gas field alone is worthy of development he says, and there is a decided possibility that gas even richer in petrol than at present flowing may be encountered. If a flow of 5,000,000 conic feet a day can be obtained, an important and profitable industry can be established. For this reason, he considers that it is important that the tests at present in progress on, the Landor bore should be carried through to completion. He says it would be undesirable for any jpsts on this field to be interrupted' at the present stage. The necessity seems to be for a more extensive investigation of the whole field. He had been greatly impressed by the progress made by the van

companies operating in the district, and the measure of success that had been reached by most 'of them would suggest the need for co-operation and co-ordination. There is distinct evidence of a gas field, possibly of economic importance to Roma itself, and their may he an extension of this field in the surrounding country. More careful and patient work is required ui prove either of these possibilities. “There is no great possibility that an extensive reservoir of normal crude oil exists in their neighbourhood” says Dr. Woolnough. “What have been described by competent geologists as suitable structures have been worked to bedrock without resuit.'*

Dr. Wool nought says that he is well aware that many great oil fields have been brought to light after many months of fruitless drilling. It is still wi hill the bounds of possibiity that such a field may be proved near Roma, and quiet prospecting is justifiable. Extravagant claims, however, should lie deprecated. On the other hand, careful geological work in other parts of Queensland, in the area norili to the Gulf of Carpentaria, is regarded as highly necessary. The methods of search, however, should be fundamentally different from those that have been prevailing in the past. Instead of companies embarking on expensive drilling operations with inadequate information and insufficient capital, a systematic geological survey would provide a safer foundation on which to ask the people for the provision of funds for the drilling that could come later on carefully areas. “If such a method is adopted,’’ lie savs, “T see no reason why Central Queensland should not become an important oil-bearing country.