NEW GUINEA OILFIELDS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1925, Page 1

NEW GUINEA OILFIELDS

SUCCI'.SS OF SKCOXD BURK. Advice has been received in A nekla ml from Air .1. A. Spencer that the .Mandated Development Company has struck oil in the No boro at Mutupan. New (illinea. at a depth of IT) feet . This company was granted a license by the Australian (iuvcrnmenl in February. ISI-M. to prospect for coal and oil over the area of Ufl'.l square miles in the mandated territory ol New Ouieua. The first, prospecting expedition, under the leadership ol .Mr Spcneer and including Mr K. A. Briggs, oi Sydney Fniversity. as geologist, demonstrated the existence of oil ol high quality. Karly in June, oil was struck at a depth of Tift, and alter bulk sample- had been taken the well was sealed. Subsequently the company undertook further prospecting operations, with the result that oil has again been -truck, it will he remembered that Mr .1. ■■■ Spencer referred to in the preceding paragraph was recently in in" Mmcliison district in company with Air J. llassett. of this town. The rep o t on tin- Murchison oil field as given by Mr Spencer and the suecessl ill development of bis l oving operations in tile New Guinea oilfields, add considerable value to the high opinion lormed by him ul the possibilities of the .Murchison oil area. We learn from a pm ale source that Mr Spent or has confidently stated be i- of opinion that the Murchison <n' area should give as good as. it not hotter results I ban the areas oi New *<uinea in (he Mandated Territory.