PETROLEUM.
HISTORY OF THE FOURTH BORJS.
The position at the time of the works being burned down is shown by the following interesting letter from Mr Samuel, as chairman of directors, to the " New Zealand Times," on the 31st August, 18D6
'• I notice with regret that in the 'Times,' as well as in several other papers not published at Now Plymouth, a description of the fire which recently destroyed the Petroleum Company's works, and also of our prospects of success generally, are so referred to as to give an erroneous impression to the public. Doubtless the authors fully belieye whit they wrote or telegraphed, and indeed, a year ago even less promising indications were considered by all of us as proof of ' payable oil' having been struck, The fire was not caused by any extra flow of oil or gas, but merely by the gas from the bore becoming ignited by contact with a lighted lamp at a distance of only ten feet. The well flows very gently, indeed water mixed with oil, and the flowing of oil from the bore had nothing to do with the fire. A shaft extends about 25 feet from the surface, i.ud in this shaft oil had gradually iccumulatcd from the various levels (f 15 feet, 1591 feet, and 2010 feel), from whicli we have obtained oil, and this was the oil which fed the Haines, and not any oil flowing from the bore itself. The water mixed with oil still continues to flow gently (or rather docs when we permit it to do so, as we now plug the bore at will), but only at about 700 gallons per diem. Yesterday from live to twelve percent, of oil—the last test resulting in about 020 gallons per diem, producing 67 gallous of )il. Considering we are cased down to, and water shut off at 1918 feet, that when first tho oil appeared the bore had 1,900 feet of water in it, and that there had then been no drilling for several days, mid chat tho bottom is in hard stone, we hope and expect tint the oil is forcing itself through at tho bottom from a large reservoir, and that if only we can 1 shut off 1 tlie water (by sending lowu the easing below whoro the spring of wator is) the oil, relieved of the water, will flow fi'ooly and in volume. The loss sustained by fire is not nearly so great as was first anticipated, and we hope to reinstato the works in a month or so. I think it only right to ask you to publish this explanation (and I trust that it may be published also in other newspapers in which the exaggerated statements, to which I have alluded, appeared), so as to prevent loss and disappointment. The promoters formed tho company not for the purpose of making profit by selling shares, but to endeavor to set at rest the question of whether the oil here is in payable quantities or not, and I, and those associated with me, are anxious that none should be induced to embark in the venture capital which they cannot afford to lose, under the mistaken impression that success is assured instead of merely probable." The work of re-instalment progressed quickly, and, warned by past experience, the boiler and furnace were placed in i separate building, communicating with the engine within the derrick by a steam pipe. This was done in all the dorricks subsequently erected, and Mr Samuel shortly afterwards purchased a dynamo, thenceforth abolishing the use of any other light but electricity at the works. A derrick was also simultaneously erected some few hundreds of yards off, on Mrs Putt's farm, on a spot which had been previously selected for the purpose by Mr E. E, Fair.
About this time, Mr G. C. Fair visited New Plymouth at the request of the Sydney directors, and viewed the works. He expressed the opinion that " Honeyfields' " bore would prove a payable well. At the re-instated works on 14th September the bore was opened, and a large quantity of oil run off. By the 25th, all tile barrels and tanks were filled, and oxport resumed. On -the 29th September, Major Parris wlis elected a director, in place of Mr R. li. Fair, who had been for some time absent, and did not again return to the colony. Mr Samuel's appointment as managing director (without salary) was confirmed and continued until the end of the company's operations.
On 2nd October, the works were sufficiently re-instated for operations to be resumed, and a packer was constructed and sent down. It was then fo'ind that the ordinary tape measure previously used for ascertaining the depth of the bore aud the lengths of tlie various pieces of easing, etc., had had contracted very mat eri illy, so that the previous measurements were found to he inaccurate. A new steel tape was procured, and henceforth used, and the bore was re-measured. It proved to bo only 1U75 feet deep instead of 2010 feet, the 5-inch easing at 18S5 feet " shutting oft water," and there were 90 feet uncased. The packer was expanded at about 1031 feet, and on this taking pi ice puro oil began to flow slowly outside the 2b inch pipe, and continued to flow at the rate of 270 gallons in 21 liours. This seemed to prove that the oil came in above the packer placed at 1931 feet.
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Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2
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912PETROLEUM. Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8118, 24 May 1906, Page 2
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