TARANAKI.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIV, Issue 6, 9 February 1910, Page 7

TARANAKI.

Petroleum Company’s Well. When the pressure of gas struck in the Petroleum Co.’s No. 2 well at New Plymouth last week was sufficiently reduced, drilling was resumed. On Wednesday afternoon another blow-out occurred, and about midnight the well commenced to flow oil again. This morning it was still flowing freely. The indications of being

near an extensive oil seam are regarded as very hopeful. The progress of boring operations for petroleum continues most encouraging, and everything points to a permanent supply having been struck. Last week the manager shut off the supply front the vein which was struck at 2620 ft, in the Petroleum Company’s No. 2 well, by lowering the casing past it in order to bore deeper. Every foot showed another vein was not far away, and on Wednesday night, at a depth of 2670 ft, a new oil seam was tapped, which, "before the mouth of the bore could be capped, and the flow diverted into the tanks, hurled oil and silt high above the 50ft derrick, covering everything within a radius of 100 ft. After a display of over an hour the mouth of the well was successfully capped, and the flow diverted into the reservoir. It has continued almost without intermission ever since. As near as can be gauged this vein is producing between 40 and 50 barrels of pure, oil per 24 hours. It will probably lie allowed to flow uninterruptedly for a few days, and when opportunity offers an attempt will be made to push the casing past it, to enable the hole to be drilled deeper. As soon as the hole has been prospected to a greater depth the easing will be perforated opposite each vein, and the full oil capacity of the whole well be untilised. Pumping operations have been resumed at No. 3 bore, and from eight to 10 barrels daily are being secured. Deeper boring will probably be commenced at this bore shortly. The company has now over 40,000 gallons of crude petroleum in stock, ami is waiting the confirmation of an order for 500 barrels from the Government. The local market is very firm, holders of shares refusing to quit. Oil continues to flow freely from No. 2 well. It is estimated that' fully 35 barrels were obtained between 7 o’clock Thursday night and 7 o’clock Friday morning.

Train Examiner Injured. A train examiner, a married man, named Froinont, formerly of Wanganui, was seriously injured at the station on Saturday morning. He was stooping to examine a truck, when a Van which was being shunted ran over him, cutting his thigh very severely. He was removed to the hospital in a serious condition.