PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14013, 18 September 1909, Page 3

PETROLEUM.

"' BEUUY'S OPERATIONS. i'rorn No. 2 well of the Taranaki Petroleum Company there is, Mr. Berry sjivs, very littlo to report. Tuesday, the starling day of the trial, caught us with the pump piping all out, owing to one length being badly damaged. The pump, however, was started at 3 30 p.m., and pumped over ten barrels per hour 10 7 p.m., when the pump suddenly stopped. Pulled rods and found valves good, so knew that there was something wrong with pump piping. We drew this, usually a four days' job up and down, and found one length so out that, it would not lio'd the oil. Replaced this and lowered again and connected by 3 p.m. yesterday (Friday), and from then on to 3 a.m. the pump worked splendidly at the rate of ten barrels per hour and attain suddenly ceased. These stoppages low very muck time, and although the oil obtained will already more than four times pay the wages, etc., it is not ycL satisfactory. The absurd rumour that the casing is over-perforated is worthy of the source from which it eiiiiinated, but it may be satisfactory to the author to know that* the sand ii.i-. decreased by at least half. It must Im> remembered that the pump was second-hand when bought, and saw a deal of service at both Nos. 1 and 2 before being u.sed in this trial. OPERATIONS iiT NO. 3. The directors of the Taranaki Petroleum Company report that the staff has used considerable expedition in the reinstatement of the derrick at No. 3 well, and things are now almost in readiness for the installation of the now plant ordered. Advice has been received of the shipment of the belting and tubing for the pomp, the latter having arrived. Given fine weather and the arrival of the material, operations should be resumed bj Tuesday or Wednesday. Before this can be done the boiler whose packing was damaged by the fire must be certified to by Mr. S. Dalrymple, Government Inspector of Machinery. The directors met hut night and decided to ask Mr. Dalrymple, in the event of his not being able to be here early in the week, to issue a permit to use one of the company's other boiler?!. In connection with the forthcoming visit of Dr. Bell, Government Geologist, it was decided to communicate with the other oompaiiM-a in the district, with a view to making the best use of his services whilst here.