OIL SEARCH IN TARANAKI

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1927, Page 9

OIL SEARCH IN TARANAKI

COMPANY ANSWERS CRITICISM. Speculation has been rife in certain quarters regarding, the sudden closing down of certain of the Taranaki Oilfields works in the Taranagi district. The Auckland Sun has received several communications seeking enlightenment on the question. One correspondent in particular alleged that considerable mystery surrounded the sudden closing down of the work at the Okokc No. 3 well, Taranaki. On referring the question to the general manager of the company in Melbourne, The Sun has received the following reply in regard to the Okoke bore:— “After the work was commenced at Okoke, the study of the geological conditions in the Taranaki “district was continued with a view to seeking other possible structures, and increasing our knowledge of stratigraphic and structural conditions generally. As one result of this work it became evident that, in addition to the strata which formed one of the original objectives of the well at Okoke, there existed grounds for believing that an additional oilbearing horizon occurred at still greater depth. The problem of testing the Okoke structure, therefore, assumed a different character, inasmuch that the possibility of taking the well to a much greater footage had to be considered. “It is felt that to ensure the carrying out of this deep test it is advisable to employ a different class of drilling plant from that at present on the site, and as further consideration lias given added weight to this factor, the existing plant has been dismantled and protected against the weather, pending the opportunity of dealing with the proposal to install new plant fully capable of reaching the desired depth. Just when it will bo possible to take up this question in a practical way cannot be judged at pjresent; but the company in the meantime is engaged in drilling on the East Coast.”