QUEST FOR OIL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23020, 23 April 1938, Page 14

QUEST FOR OIL

BOEING OPERATIONS

EARLY COMMENCEMENT

MACHINERY FROM AMERICA

[BV TELEGRArH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHUIiCH, Friday

It is expected that drilling for oil in the Taranaki and Gisborno districts on an extensive scale will start early in July. This was indicated by the Minister of Mines, Hon. P. C. Webb, in an interview to-day, after a long conference the Minister had with the oil companies interested. Mr. Webb Mas advised that the first consignment of plant will leave the United States on May 22 and the second consignment 011 May 2-1. He conferred with the companies beforo he loft Wellington by air this morning for Christchurch. He said that ho had discussed drilling plans with tho representatives of the New Zealand Petroleum Company, Limited, which had already been granted licences for drilling in the Gisborno area and Taranaki. It had not been possible to issue licences until tho beginning of April, but already the necessary plant was being assembled. Portable Stafl Cottages

The Minister quoted' the following advice received from tho company:— "New York advises that the drilling plant and equipment havo already been ordered, and shipment will be made partly from the Atlantic seaboard and partly from the Pacific seaboard. The Atlantic shipmeftt, comprising items first needed, will be despatched on May 22. The various items being obtained from the Pacific Coast have been promised for shipment by the Mariposa leaving San Francisco on May 24. Wo are engaged in obtaining estimates from local firms for the fabrication and erection of a number of portable cottages for the drilling staff, and we have obtained quotations from local transport companies for the delivery of material to the drilling site." The preliminary work necessary before tho installation of the machinery would start almost immediately, said Mr. Webb. A considerable number of men would be employed soon in tho construction of roads. The Speed of Drilling Tho Miuister said that the speed of tho drilling would depend on the typo of country and the nature of tho ground.

The New Zealand Petroleum Company, Limited, has been granted four licences for prospecting for oil, covering ten different areas. The interests behind the company are Taranaki i(N.Z.) Oilfields (No Liability), Gisborne (N.Z.) Oilfields, Limited, Waitangi (N.Z.) Oilfields, Limited, Wauepu (N.Z.) Oilfields, Limited, Moturoa Oilfields, Limited, the Vacuum Oil Compapy Proprietary, Limited, and Oil Search, Limited.