ACTIVITY IN OILFIELDS

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1932, Page 3

ACTIVITY IN OILFIELDS

MOTUROA COMPANY’S POSITION.

DRILLING AT THE NEW WELL.

Satisfactory drilling, is being experienced in the operations of Moturoa Oilfields Co., Ltd., new well at New Plymouth. At present the bore is being -sunk through the surface agglomerate and is 15 inches in diameter. This size will probably be continued until a depth of. 200 ft. is reached. From previous drilling in the vicinity it is anticipated that progress will be slow for the initial period and the huge .volpanic boulders which are a prominent feature of the waterfront mixed with a softer matrix, are frequently met with. ■Mr. C. N. Taylor, managing director of the company, yesterday said that during the past 12 months at least 16,000 worth of petroleum products had been disposed of in the district—and, this in competition with the highest . grades -of imported products. To data over 250,000 gallons of crude oil had been obtained from No. 2 well, and of this approximately 50 per cent, had been * converted into motor spirit, distillate suitable for use in farm tractors, and ■ kerosene. The remainder had been utilised as fuel oil and. large quantities were being supplied to the Railway Department for this purpose, giving every satisfaction. i . ' / As' an instance of the value of th® industry to the district, Mr. Taylor said that' about I's men were employed on '• . the single No. 2 well and at the refinefy, besides a large amount of casual labour. The proportions the industry, would assume and its effect on the local labour market would be apparent to everyone if. 30 or 40 wells were sunk. It had to be realised that success had so far been built upon the output of a. single well, and upon the success of the'. - well at present being sunk would depend to a large extent the future activity in the oilfields. In other parts of the world the possibility of meeting conditions ■ similar to those at No. 2 well on a site only SOOft. distant would be considered practically a certainty. If the production was sufficient mor# elaborate refining apparatus would, be installed and a more economical refining of the crude product would be possible. By-products at present being burnt aa crude oil could be converted into motor spirit, lubricating''oil and paraffin wax. The company’s report for the week ending November 6 stated that Moturoa No. 3 well was to commence drilling yesterday. A new boiler was being installed at No. 2 well, which in two day# :; had produced 43 barrels (1505 gallons). Mr. Henry Hart, Dunedin, at a board meeting yesterday was appointed chairman. Mr. Hart has assisted in many . well-known business enterprises and will be an acquisition to the eonM>ansj