PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144343, 6 March 1914, Page 2

PETROLEUM.

PREVENTION OF FLOODING. SUGGESTED REGULATIONS. As tile result of a deputation that recently waited on the Minister of Public Works (Hon. W. Fraser), the Government Geologist, Mr. Morgan, was despatched to New Plymouth to make a thorough investigation of tho alleged Hooding of a watertight well from an adjacent well that was said not to be watertight, and to report generally on laws governing oil fields. Sir. Morgan found in regard to the alleged flooding that the evidence was not conclusive, but with a view to reducing the risk of any possible danger in that respect, he makes the following recommendations: (1) That oil bores be subject to inspection by a Government official. (2) That regulations be made requiring the proper shutting off of water in wells now being bored or producing oil. ami the proper plugging of abandoned wells.

(3) That no bore bo commenced in future without the Government inspector being notified. (4) That plans of surveyed areas and sections of all bores be supplied to tho inspector; also details of bore sections showing the size of casings, points at which water and oil have been encountered, and the nature of the strata passed through. (o) That proper logs of all bores bo kept, and copies of same to be supplied to the inspector. (6) That no casing be put into a boro without first obtaining the permission of the inspector.

(7) That on a well being abandoned, notice of such intention be given to the inspector.

(8) That all drillers in charge of boring operations he certificated. (9) That all bores be situated at defined distances from roads, buildings, and boundaries of adjoining lands. (10) That no well he allowed to ha bored within a defined distance of any Dther operating well. (11) That all lights used about tbs derrick and oil tanks be electric lights.

(12) That penalties be imposed for smoking in the vicinity of .a boro producing oil or inflammable gas. With regard to the above regulations it is stated that they are in effect similar to those in operation in some other oil-producing countries. The Minos Department has been asked, to ascertain from Great Britain and America what are the latest regulations. It is probable that the Department will not wait for the replies, but will immediately draft regulations on the lines of those suggested by Mr. Morgan.