TARANAKI OILFIELDS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 136, 30 August 1927, Page 2

TARANAKI OILFIELDS

REPLY TO CRITICISM

Speculation has been rife in certain nunrters regarding the sudden closing, downo? certain of the Taranaki Oilfields works in the Taranaki district. THE SUN has received several communications seeking enlightenment on the question. One correspondent in particular allegeu. that considerable mystery surrounded the sudden closing down of the work at the Okoke No. 3 well, Taranaki. On referring the question to the general manager of the company m Melbourne, THE SUN has received the following reply in regard to the Okoke bore. “After the work was commenced at Okoke, the study of the geological conditions in the Taranaki district was continued with a view to seeking other possible structures, and increasing our knowledge of stratigraphic and structural conditions generally. As one result of this work it became evident that, m addition to the strata which formed one of the original objectives of the well at Okoke, there existed grounds for believing that an additional oil-bearing horizon occurred at still greater depth. The problem of testing the Okoke structure, therefore, assumed a different character, inasmuch that the possibility of taking the well to a much greater footage had to be considered. “It is felt that to ensure the carrying out of this deep test it is advisable to employ a different class of drilling plant from that at present on the site, and as further consideration has given added weight to this factor, the existing plant has been dismantled and protected against the weather, pending the opportunity of dealing with the proposal to install new plant fully capable of reaching the desired depth. Just when it will be possible to take up this question in a practical way cannot be judged at present; but the company in the meantime is engaged in drilling on the East Coast.”