SEARCH FOR OIL

Waikato Times, Volume 130, Issue 21655, 16 February 1942, Page 4

SEARCH FOR OIL

NEW PLYMOUTH OPERATIONS Whether the modern equipment from the abandoned bore at Midhirst is to be re-erected on the foreshore at Moturoa is being asked by observers who have seen the beginning of operations of a portable core drilling plant on Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth. The object of the drilling is to test strata cores from various depths, which does not necessarily mean that a place for major drilling operations has been selected. However, the rumours concerning the Ngamotu Beach site are strengthened by the return to the province of the portable drilling equipment so soon after the abandonment of the Midhirst bore. Petroleum from a depth of about 2000 ft. has been consistently produced for a number of years by two wells in the beach and another a short distance inland, and men with a knowledge of drilling operations believe that production can be increased by sinking other wells to shallow depths. The modern plant, such as that used at Midhirst, enables several holes to be bored in the time formerly taken for one. It is possible that Taranaki residents who for years have said “the oil is out under* the sea” may soon see their theory put to the test, as it is likely that the bore would be deflected to reach out under the sea if the modern plant, at Midhirst were moved to Ngamotu.