THE SEARCH FOR OIL

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 4

THE SEARCH FOR OIL

PROPOSED GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY. COMMENCEMENT IN DECEMBER. Early in December a party from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the personal direction of Mr. N. Modriniak, geophysicist, will arrive at New Plymouth to commence the proposed survey of the Moturoa Oilfields Company’s leases. The managing director of the company. Mr. C. N. Taylor, told a reporter that the proposed survey was likely to be an extended one. occupying between three and four months. Modern geological and geophysical equipment ordered from America had already arrived in New Zealand, he said. The survey would be one of the most comprehensive yet undertaken in New Zealand, and would embody the latest overseas discoveries in this branch of science. A somewhat similar survey had been carried out at Omata some years ago, but on this occasion the Government party would have at its disposal more modern apparatus and more complete data. It was anticipated, added Mr. Taylor, that the survey would commence around the base of Paritutu, near the site of the present Moturoa Company’s No. 1 well. It would probably be extended to areas a few miles south of New Plymouth and to Waitara. Later there would be a survey of Taranaki for artesian water sources for dairy farming purposes. At present the oil company’s operations were confined to maintaining production in Nos. 2 and 4 wells, and to preparing equipment for the bringing into, production No. 1 bore, which when temporarily abandoned some time ago was estimated to produce up to 10 barrels of crude oil a day. Future work by the company would largely depend on the findings of the survey party. The survey would thus have an important bearing on the future of oil drilling in Taranaki.