ROMA OILFIELD.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1928, Page 7

ROMA OILFIELD.

AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW

AUCKLAND, Sept. -24

“There is every, prospect that the Roma oilfield will be able not only to provide the l Commonwealth, with all the petrol it requires but New Zealand as well,” said Air W. G. Allenden, an American oil expert who arrived 'by the Aorangi this morning, on his way to the United States, where he intends to secure - the best modern machinery for drilling. Air Allenden said that Roma was the only place in Australia where oil had been definitely located, and be had been engaged on behalf of the companies to investigate three blocks of land comprising 25,000 acres. There was already one producing well where they had bored to !a depth of 3707 feet. A gas flow was struck in the early stages, and it had been used as an illuminant. The plant was now being installed to absorb petrol from the gas. The possibilities of the Roma oilfield had been known for 1 a long time but drilling methods were not •satisfactory, and at great depths an inflow of wafer was a barrier to progress. This could be obviated by the most modern methods of drilling, and a -start was to be made as soon as possible to put down a number of .llores.

Mr Allenden admitted that boring at great depths was somewhat oif a speculation . a The cost was from £3 to £3 10 1 a foot, and a bore, even if it were resultless, might cost, anything from £IO,OOO to £12,000. It was for that reason that considerable capital was necessary to work a prospective oilfield. In America there had been a tendency to over-production—within California alone an output of 600.000 barrels and upwards a day—while feverish search was going on' to locate new resources. In addition British interests were searching the world for future supplies. Mr Allenden sai l the indications at Roma were tlnd deep down there was 'a subterranean lake of oil, and if it could '.be tapped it would play a wonderful part in meeting the needs of the country, which was at present dependent noon outside supplies. “T am satisfied from what [ have seen.’ said Mr Allenden in conclusion, “that Roma has all the earmarks of a big oilfield.”