PETROLEUM

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 103, 17 September 1912, Page 4

PETROLEUM

Messrs. McLeod and Meyncr (the two experts who will have charge of the rotary boring plant of the Taranaki, N.Z., Oil Wells, Ltd.) arrived in New Plymouth last night, in company with' the analytical chemiet, Mr. Hardwick. Messrs. McLeod and Meyner will, vitsifc the works at Moturoa this morning, in company with the local directors. Writing from New York to a friend in Wellington, Mr. McLean states that he has completed his investigations respecting oil-boring machinery. He adds: "After viewing the Top Slide wells afc Texas, T am convinced that the Parker rotary is the best plant now operating in the States, and, as a result and after careful consideration, I have secured mm of the best. It will be shipped from here direct to Wellington on September 2. I found on arrival at Chattanuga that the Taranaki Oilfields, Ltd., had forestalled me by ordering a similar plant per cable from London. This, with about 300 tons of casing, was shipped for New Plymouth on the - Sth inst. With the introduction of these two up-to-date oil-boring plants, which are to be worked by skilled drillers, the problem of .payable oil. in Taranaki should soon be solved," observes the Writer. Both plants will be capable of sinking to a depth of 5000 feet. Mr. McLean also inspected two refining plants, and is satisfied that if oil is found in payable quantities iu Taranaki the question of refining is one that cam be dealt with at a cost much below that of a boring plant. Oil in the Southern States of California is now largely used! on the roads, and.it is stated to'be tha best mixture ever useu. But Taranaki oil, comments Mr. McLean, would hei too valuable for such a purpose.