PETROLEUM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 18, 15 February 1909, Page 4

PETROLEUM.

Mr D. Berry, chainnun of the Taranaki Petroleum Company, Lid., furnishes the following report:— There is little to report this week. At No. 2, after pumping some days to clear the silt out of the well, a How of salt water has come in, as it usually somes with the oil, but it hoped not in 'excessive quantities. To test the quantity the deep well pump is being put together and parts repaired, and it is hoped to be ready to commence pumping on Monday morning, and try if this salt water decreases after a few days' pumping. It was thought at first that the water might be coming from No. I,| but that such is not the case is shown by the fact that the water there is quite fresh instead of salt. This salt water must 'not be confounued with sea water, from which it is quite distinct. Some oil (33 ban-els) has had to be pumped during the week, but pending the completion of the underground tank, not more than could be helped. This tank is now nearly ready. On Friday morning the oil was within 500 ft. nom tin" top. In the statement last week of the qnantitiV of nil on hand, an error occurred ; it should have read ) 3,000 to 14,1)00 gallons, not 17,000 to 20,000 gallons.

It is not yet known whether the water has been shin off in No. 3, but testing it is in hand.