PETROLEUM IN NEW ZEALAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 186, 16 November 1910, Page 7

PETROLEUM IN NEW ZEALAND

MR. ADAMS' REPORT. (Auckland Herald.) 1 With the ever-extending use of oil engines in motor-cars, launches and as motive power for manufacturing purposes, and with its adoption as fuel for warships, or for ignition engines of a size hitherto undreamt of, the possession of petroleum oil well must be of immense importance to any country which, desires to keep in the van of progress. The question as to whether New Zealand has large natural supplies of this valuable material so far has not been definitely proved, although the explora-, •tion work which has been carried on at New Plymouth, at Kotuku near Greymouth, and at Waitangi in the Gisborne district, seems to give very favourable promise, and it is likely, too, that in many parts of New Zealand unexpected sources of this mineral oil may exist. So far singularly little work has been done either by practical exploration or by scientific investigation to determine our natural resources in this respect. The bores by the sea at' New Plymouth, at Lake Brunner in Westland, and iu the Gisborne district are, after all, eonfined to a very limited area, and as to scientific examination .the work of Mr. J. H. Adams, under the direction of Dr. J. M. Bell, of the New Zealand .geological survey, seems to be the only attempt to throw light on this very important subject. Mr.'Adams' work is found embodied in Bulletin No. 9 of the New Zealand Geological Survey Department, which deals with the Whatatutu sub-division of the Raukumara division of Poverty Bay. The careful and thorough nature of this report, the excellence of the topographical and geological maps, and the mass of detailed information presented, is a very good indication of the valuable work being done by the geological survey officials under Dr. Bell. Bulletin No. 9 is not devoted altogether to the subject of petroleum, its main features being the geology of a particular district. But it is a district in which petroleum and indications of petroleum have been found, and consequently the report should prove of great value .to tliose who are seeking for oil wells in other districts where similar conditions prevail. Theories regarding the origin of petro- j leum are dealt with, and it may be in-1 teresting to some to learn that the idea j of oil having a mineral origin depends.} upon the fact that the action of acids and steam or water vapour on acetylides and carbides of the metals produces such gases as acetylene, menthane, ethylene, and hydrogen. In some instances as when manganiferous iron, rich in chemically combined carbon is acted on by acids, or when carbide of uranium is acted on by water, a residue of solia and liquid hydrocarbons is obtained. It seems strange to look to the decomposition of metals for the origin of petroleum, but, after all, that is no more strange than the theory of organic origin, which ascribes the formation of oil to .the decomposition of vegetable or animal matter, while still another ascribes it to the interaction of solfataric volcanic gases. Really, whether New Zealanders have to depend for their own supplies upon the decomposition of ancient swamp ov forest material, whether they have to be I content with the residue from vast ac-1 cumulations of fish or marine animalculae, or upon the interaction of volcanic pases, does not matter. The main question is, of course, where may it be found. Mr. Adams tells us that it is obtained almost exclusively in rock beds of porous character, such as sandstone, conglomerates, and limestone. One portion of the report which should interest those who may be seeking for "spouters" and "gushers" is that dealing with the conditions under which oil wells are. governed. It is common enough to see. pictures of bore pipes sending lip water or oil to immense heights. In some cases such results have been won by pure accident, but when we are told the reason for this exhibition of force we realise how much the geologist can do to help the oil well sinker. It is not necessary to deal with such subjects as monoclines and anticlines, but it can be easily realised that if oil is present in porous strata and such porous strata is overlaid with an impervious stratum, the indications or foldings of the rock beds will govern the pressure of oil. It has to be remembered, however, that oil being lighter than water, and often being associated with water, will act in a characteristic manner. Where a strata is folded, gas may be found in the highest part., petroleum at a lower level, and water below the oil. This is where the geologist can come in so useful; he can tell us where the dome of the fold or the anticline is likely to be found. He can tell us many other things, and this is why such a work as Bulletin No. 9 is so valuable, and why the patient examinations a«d observations of Dr. Bell and other members of the New Zealand geological survey are so important.