OIL PROSPECTING METHODS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 148, 18 March 1939, Page 10

OIL PROSPECTING METHODS

Inquiries On Behalf Of Government LATEST EQUIPMENT FOR INVESTIGATION Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, March 17. After investigating modern oil prospecting methods in the United States, Mr. N. Modriniak, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, returned to the Dominion by the Mariposa. Mr. Modriniak, who was accompanied by his wife, has been absent since October. During his visit Mr. Modriniak visited all the important oil centres in the east and south of the United States on behalf of the Government. He purchased the latest equipment for the geophysical investigation which is being carried out in the Grey mouth district for New Zealand Oil Concessions, Limited. This equipment, which has already been landed in New' Zealand, was designed by Mr. H. Hoover, a son of the former President, who gave much assistance to Mr. Modriniak.

Large sums were being spent on petroleum investigation work in the United States, Mr. Modriniak said. In Texas and California he had seen many fields being developed solely by geophysical methods. There was no question of an oil shortage for many years, be added.

AMERICAN EXPERTS ARRIVE

Geological Survey In Taranaki By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 17. Dispatched l by the Carter Oil Company for geological work iu oil surveys being undertaken in the Dominion, six American experts arrived by the Mariposa from Los Angeles. The party, which will operate from New Plymouth, comprises Messrs. W. M. Erdahl. K. Kennedy, D. R. Wichert, F. Hollandsworth, D. S. Plewes and H. W. Traugh. Another passenger is Mr. G. H. Johnson, a leading Los Angeles oil producer, who is touring with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce goodwill party. Associated with oil production since 1902, he saw the first oil well brought into operation at the Spindietop oilfield in Texas and has since been associated with companies responsible for the drilling and development of several important areas in the United States.

He said considerable interest had /been manifested in New Zealand’s prospects as an oil-producing country but he pointed out that these potentialities had yet to be proved. The opportunity of supplying New Zealand’s requirements from within the country would be welcomed and a field in the southern Pacific would -be of very considerable importance in the event of an international crisis.