OIL FLOW AT MURCHISON

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1929, Page 7

OIL FLOW AT MURCHISON

ITS lAIPOBTANCE TO SOUTH

ISLAND

hi reference to an article concerning tile important discovery of an oil flow at M.ureliison, Mr R. Wilson, of the West Coast, lias supplied some further particulars to the “ Otago Daily Times.”

Ho states that the flow, which was struck accidentally by Mr J. A. Spoil, oer, the well-known oil geologist, who at the time was boring for gold, forms a part of the great Murchison oil belt, which has its origin back in the mountain ranges encircling Murchison, and extends in the direction of Manila, covering a distance of probably over 20 miles. During the past few years a number of prominent oil geologists have been attracted to this field, and as a result of their visits development on a large scale will take place in the near future.

The Murchison oil anti-clinical structure is composed of rocks ol the Cen550it- era of the tertiary system, and belongs to the Miocene series pecular to known commercial oilfields such as Coalinga, Santa Maria, Los Angles. M'TCettrick, Sunset, and Santa Clara, California. Mr Sidney Fry, a "‘ellknown authority who recently spent several weeks in a geoglogical survey of the Murchinsoii oil anticline, in his report indicated a number of important features favourable to the production and retention of petroleum oil in nunntitv, in addition to a number ot seepages of oil and emanations of gas which be encountered. These are—(l) a great anticline running for over 15 miles; (2) an impervious cover of mudstones and limestones several hundred feet in thickness; (3) a series of porous beds over 2000 feet in thickness beneath the mudstones and limestones. The porosity of a sample of fine grained Arkostic grit present absorbed liquid at the rate of three gallons and n-half per cubic yard of rock. Mr Wilson stated that a probable source or origin is apparent at Murchison. Tbo gas emanations show a relatively high analysis in hydrocarbons. Murchison supplies the evidence of marine fos sils. The heavy accumulation of gas> gives 70 per cent, of Methane, whilst saline and sulphur springs are in evidence.

Here at least, says Mr Wilson, are the main requirements. Many P’ -0 ' ducing fields to-day gi' -e little or no surface indications whatever. At Murchison they are abundant. Organised exploration is confined mainly, to the North Islanjd, which is given great prominence in the leading papers of the north; yet, three eminent German geologists who visited New Zealand last year openly stated that Taranaki oil was a seepage from an ’ important oil zone located in the northern section of the South Island, An old German map prior to the war put in big letters the word “oil” where Murchisin now stands. Air J. R. Thurlow, M.I.M.M. (London), consulting engineer to the Band Alines, Ltd.,. South Africa., who visited Alurchison with M.r Wilson in 1020, stated to a newspaper reporter that “here, at Alurchison. tliero was definite and positive eviIcnce.of the presence of oil under cot. ditions distinctly favourable to sue••ess.” The late Air Percy Morgan* bead of the New Zealand Government. Geological Survey, who recently visited Alurchison, stated that ‘in the near future New Zealand would open up commercial oil.” Oil is liquid gold. New Zealand has produced over 2,000,100 gallons of it, and this fact gives the Dominion a definite oil history unlike that of Australia, for instance. Hid many other places where a mint of money is being spent in <l»est for a mere oil seepage or questionable indications. In Persia one oil well enterprise employs 30,000 workmen, and this particular well was condemned by the geologists during the drilling, stagbecause of a lack of “indications.” 11l conclusion, Air Wilson states that there is a probable market for oil In the whole of Australia and (New Zealand, where the hill lor oi. exceeds over £10.000,000 * nially, and he asK.s if the effort to open up the unexplored oil resources of this country. particularly in the South Island, is not worth while.