BIG BLOW-OUT

Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1929, Page 3

BIG BLOW-OUT

AT BLENHEIM BORE. (By Telegraph—Press Association). NEW PLYMOUTH, March I. A terrific “blow-out” occurred at the Blenheim oil bore this afternoon but only the mud was forced to a great Height by a strong pressure of gas. The derrick was flooded with oil nd mud and the locality to leeward was drenched for several chains. Residents in the district, and n large number of visitors to 11. M.S. Dunedin at the wharves were startled by the roar of the gas that accompanied the blow-out, and by the fud small stones .and debris falling on the roofs of the houses several chains away. It gave the impression that a heavy downpour of rain had commenced. For about an hour and a half, the Company says, oil bad been flowing from the bore while the bailing plunger was being worked. The oil sometimes was spurting to a height of 29 feet. 'Hie blow-out bad been anticipated and for several days a period of considerable excitement reigned in the locality. Heralded by an ominous roar, pun-gent-smelling liquid gushed up inside the derrick forcing its way out through every opening, and leaping to considerable heights above the derrick. A breeze carried the greasy outflow across several sections. GREAT FORCE. The seven-inch casing, 20-17 feet n r it weighing about 1 Gtons, was lifted about 16 feet from the bore, and the pipe connecting the bore with the oil reserviors was blown away at the coupling. Gradually the blow-out exhausted its violence, and subsided to quietness. Officials of the Company state that the Imre was then filled with greasy mud. The casing slowly sank back into place. The bottom of the seveninch casing is at a level of 2047 feet, where, the Company states, there is a large quantity of debris loosened by the previous blast. That blast, they consider, opened up additional leseivors of oil and gas.