BIGGEST BORE OPENED

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 6 May 1953, Page 6

BIGGEST BORE OPENED

Roaririg Steam Jet The deepest steam bore yet drilled m: connection with the Geothermal Steam Project at Wairakei , was ^blown off" soon after nine o'clock eii Friday morning last week. .In addition tb engineers and men aciually engaged on the job, there were present at the operation Mr J. T. Gilkison, Assistant Engineer-in-Gfxief ■( Hydro-Electrie; Schemes):,. Mr W. M. Fisher, Senior Inspecting Engineer, and Mr J. H. Smith', Senior Geotherman: Ehgineer of the Departrjient at .Wellington., The bbre^was dyilled to a depth of 2020 feet. The diameter is ten and a quarter inches at the top, reduced to eight inches at a depth of 260 feet. It is cased to a depth of 1400 feet. There was an air of expectancy among the spectators as four drillers, under Mr W. McLennan, one of the drilling foremen, began to turn the large vtheel o^erating the valve. There was first a gush of water from the pipe, almost at once mixed with steam, and within an instant the column became a roaring steam jet, whirling under tremendous pressure to a height of about three hundred feet, The noise of the bore at a distance of eighty or ninety yards was such as to cause considerable discomfort. Temperature tests showed that the temperature at the foot of the bore was 258 degrees centigrade, which is 30 degrees hotter than any oi the previous bores. A striking difference from the ^blowing off" of previous bores was the fact that there was no ejection of rock fragments or other debris when the bore wa^ opened. , Contrary to some reportsi the steam fhom the bore was not^'dry." While it is, of cburse too early for any detailed repjprts to be avaiiable on the bore, ti is understood that the initial results of the "blowing off" appear to fee very satisfaqtory. The big drilling rig is now being jnade ready to drill another bore a short distance up the Putaruru road from the Wairakei junction and opposite the Geothermal Project Offices. Mr R. McMillan, the engineer In charge of drilling operations, statets that this bore will be drilled as deep as possible. It has been no' ted n Taupo that the steam column from the new bore is prominent from there, and also from out on the lake. .*