OIL PROSPECTING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 2

OIL PROSPECTING

PROGRESS OF WORK MINISTER’S INSPECTION SEARCH IN TARANAKI ! Judging -by the progress of., prospecting work now being carried out in Taranaki, tha Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister of Mines, said in an interview in New Plymouth, the prospects of finding oil seemed reasonably bright. Mr. Webb made a visit to Taranaki ' to inspect the drilling operations near Midhurst, and inquire into the progress of prospecting in Taranaki.

“Until the drill penetrates to the gravels that may be expected to carry oil, no one can say whether there is oil jjHyayable quantities, but judging by the eagerness ot the companies and their desire to acquire additional territory. I am satisfied that they are hopeful that their labours are not in vain,’’ said the Minister.

It would probably take another six weeks before it could be decided where the first drill would be bored in Taranaki, but it was gratifying to know that the drilling plant was on order, said Mr. Webb. In both Taranaki and Manawatu, the companies were expected to drill to at least 8000 ft. before they struck oil, in contrast with the producing wells at New Plymouth, which were at theilr best at >a littlp more than 2000 ft. Modern.. Machinery c tHe'was amazed at the wonderful machinery in use for prospecting, continued- the Minister. Betweeip-the,-tWo companies more than £20,000 ’worth of plant and instruments was in use, and they employed about 60 men, of. whom half were technical experts from America. The running costs of each group of prospectors would be about £SOOO a month. He was impressed ■ with the men in charge, who obviously knew their jobs.

"Watching the two drilling plants at work, he had been impressed by the degree of perfection attained. They made old methods of drilling by prospectors hopelessly obsolete. Superior Oil Company representatives assured him that their equipment drilled up to 1260 ft. a day. Though his inspection in this instance has been confined to the Taranaki and Manawatu fields, Mr. Webb indicated that satisfactory progress was being made in other areas. A vigorous prospecting campaign was in progress in the Gisborne area headed by some of the world’s' best geologists,, and it was hoped that before long further drilling would take place there. In the west coast area of the South Island, geological and geophysical work was being done by competent men with the most modern apparatus in the world. He was -convinced that if oil could be found-in payable quantities in New Zealand, the men now in search of it would find it.