THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2146, 31 July 1907, Page 1

THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

PROGRESS IN TARANAKI

Under date July SOI I ’- e ,£ 2 V Plymouth correspondent of the i> - Zj - Herald wrote as follows: It was rumored here yesterday and to-dav that oil had been struck in Is o. 3 bore at Moturoa. On being interviewed, Mr Berryi chairman of directors, said that in drilling oil had been met with, and they had secured a barrel and three-quarters, but on account of the small quantity, and being unaccompanied with gas, it was not deemed of great importance, so thcv had drilled and cased the bore past the oil-bearing seam. 1 1,, their weekly report, the directors state the Birthday well still flons freely, and it will take some, time to empty it. The water is not vet shut off, and drilling still progres=n- No 3 bore continues perfectly tight. The depth on Friday .morning was 2160 ft cased, the well being dow n + , 2180 ft. Another /Oft will bring it to the same level as No. 1, which is down on oil. No. 4 is 1678 ft deep, and drilling has been temporar y suspended on account of the casing parting. This has to he recoveredThe different oil companies here are strenuously protesting against the new tariff proposals, which place 20 per cent, on all casing over oin diameter. It is understood the intention of the Government is to proteco the manufacture of water pipes, but those pipes have a flange which makes them totally unsuitable for oilboring purposes. An attempt is being mad© to-have oil-well cosing exempted from duty. The last of the plant was sent out to Inglewood yesterday, and it is expected the Moa and-Inglewood companies will commence boring in the course of a week or so. Drilling is making slow progress at the Oil and Freehold Company's site, very hard ground being pierced. The formation is at variance with any other yet tested here.