STRUCK OIL!

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8096, 28 April 1906, Page 2

STRUCK OIL!

THE MOTUROA BORE, PURE PETROLEUM FLOWING. At no time in tho history of petroleum boring at New Plymouth have tho indications so surely pointed to the almost certain establishment of a great payable'industry. During the past fortnight, since the sinking of the six inch casing, the prospects have daily improved. The difficulties, however, have been great, and great patience has been required. The bore had become partly filled with sand etc., from the boring operations, and great difficulty was experienced in getting rid of the accumulations. The rods of the pump, some 2300 feet iu all, had to bo raised day aftor day in order that fresh washers might be put on tho plunger, as they wore out so quickly owing to the action ot tho grit. Gradually, but surely, the sand difficulty was overcome, and the casing as well as the pump cleared. All the time the proportion of oil was improving, and the pressure of gas increasing almost hourly. As soon as the water had also been pumped out, and the pressure from abovo removed, the oil. which was only awaiting an outlet was forced up through the pump and the easing by tho great pressure of gas. During the whole of Friday the oil, a splendid pure sample, absolutely free from water, contiaued to force its way out of the pipes. The pump was not working, the pump being under repairs. It was again got into working order about six o'clock, but pumping in earnest will not be commenced until to-day. To give some idea of the pressure at which the oil is| being forced through the six inch pipes—the latter being outside the three inch pipe in which the pump works—a coupl; of kerosene tins were filled in a few seconds with the tap only opened the fraction of an inch. Mr Fair calculates that if the oil were to continue to flow at the rate indicated last night, about 16,(XX) gallons, or 400 barrels, would be collected every day. Even now it is not to be expected that no hitch will occur, as the pump, working at so great a depth requires constant attention and repair. The prospects, however, are vastly brighter than ever before, and the indications generally point to the conclusion that a yast petroleum well is about to be exploited. At a late hour last night the oil was flowing into the tanks.