PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 273, 11 November 1908, Page 4

PETROLEUM.

To the Editor* Sir,—May 1 kiudty?li|iWJ: Space in yoiir journal to say, I was pleased to read in your leader of October last th.it in your opinion 110 importance could be attached to the pocket theory of petroleum deposits at taranaki. and I think it doubtful il the-pocket theory could bo substantiated in anv field, hi your issue of June* 28th, I ventured to say in my interview that from the No. 1 bore tile belt of .petroleum ran out to sea in one direction and under New Plymouth in the other, and I still think so, but these views are totally at variance with a prominent operator who at a recent oil meeting expressed his opinion that the oil strata dipped from the No. 1 bore within half a mile towaVds New Plymouth from 700 feet to 1200 feet. This, I take it, sir, is a pocket theory with a vengeance. 1 was also pleased to learn from the manager's report that the water in No. 2 bore was completely shut oil', whether by accident or design it matters not. The question was raised as to the advisability. of testing this well by tubing it at the present depth of 2214 feet, or to go to the strata in which it was surmised a fine vein of oil was struck in the No. 1 bore at 2340 feet (Mr. Hill's log of this bore says 2240 feet). Now, sir, there is no evidence that the water in No. 1 bore was ever shut off, and the water pressure at the bottom would be about 1000 pounds to tile square inch. Therefore, I hold it impossible to say positively from which strata this fine show of oil was forced into the well, for besides the very deep strata of sands encountered there were at. 800

feet and also 1700 feet good sands struck, all capable of contributing to the supply of oil obtained. Now, in regard to the advisability of going still deeper in No. 2 bore in the hope of striking a further supply of oil at 2310 feet, it must be borne in mind that salt water has already been encountered, which is common to many deep bores, and while in my opinion there is but small danger of shutting oIF the 1 present, flow or oil—and another vein oi

oil might be struck at the de-pth suggested—there certainly would'lie great danger of encountering a, very -much 'lftrger fUxyv of salt water and the well lie completely Hooded,' j£jid-,|he ,bpre f .for . oil he entirely ruined. "The close proximity of the ocean, however, has nothing in common with aalt water in deep wells, for it is often encountered, hun- ; dreds of miles from the sea. Besides, I greater depth spells greater difficulties I and greater risks, and the bore may lie drilled deeper at any future time. But • now, with the present good oil prospects. would it not he, wise to let good enough for the time being suffice—tube and test the well at its present depth. Is it not reasonable to surmise that with the reported gas pressure, and by causing this to ilow through the working barrel, the well may be made to flow all oil that comes into it.—l am, &c, 11. ANDREWS. Wellington, 6/11/08.