OIL IN AUSTRALIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 757, 2 September 1929, Page 10

OIL IN AUSTRALIA

IS COUNTRY ON VERGE OF BOOM? Is Australia, at a time when nothing would be more welcome than a sudden stimulus to increased prosperity, on the eve of an oil boom? In the last few weeks there have been surprising developments at Roma, in Queensland, and those interested in the oil wells sunk there are confident that the oil future of Australia was never more hopeful, says the Sydney “Evening News.” Recently there has been a flow of gas from the corporation’s No. 1 well that haß exceeded all previous flows in volume and pressure. Moreover, with it there has been a flow of white oil, which experts consider indicates that the well is near the oil basin. The trend of oil development today Is to prefer gas to crude oil. It has dawned upon oil experts that it is easier to make petrol from gas than from crude oil. The great significance of the recent flow of gas, experts ssy, lies in the fact that it is not spasmodic, but permanent. The first flow on the corporation’s property was in September, 1927, and it continued up till the time, a few weeks ago, when it was decided to deepen the well and ascertain what formation existed below the then depth of 3,700 feet.

In 1927 it was estimated that if the flow of gas, which was controlled, had been thrown open, at least 20,000,000 cubic feet a day would have come out The present test indicates an even greater flow, and by the use of modern equipment it is being kept under confrol, 1,500,000 cubic feet being allowed to pass through the absorption plant, where it is converted into gasoline. In 1927 the petrol content of the gas was estimated at 1.2 pints a 1.000 cubic feet. Today the absorption plant is returning 417 gallons for every 1,000,000 cubic feet of gas passing through it, showing a content of from 2i to 3 pints a 1,000 feet of gas. The latest petrol obtained was of 6* specific gravity. In America, it is said, half a pint a 1,000 cubic feet pays handsomely. Although the white oil flowing Roma is not yet sufficient to allow of an estimate as to when it will com* in payable quantities, it is said that evidence is there to indicate a gradual increase. Whatever the future of Roma, it will be watched with the most intense interest in the next few months. I* may well be that things will liapp* n which will revolutionise the develop [ ment of Australia.