The Petroleum Field

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 197, 18 February 1914, Page 5

The Petroleum Field

THE FLOODING QUESTION. DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. YeatMay morning we published a Press Association telegram from Wellington stating that a deputation hod waited upon the Minister for Mines with regard to' alleged flooding of tfcef Moturoa 'field by water from the wells, of the old company. Reporting the nrocecdings, the Dominion says:— Mr -Griffiths said that the deputation . represented five oil companies, whWi. j liad no far had a distinctly active career, and had put in cood solid woik, which was likely to have a very big influence

upon the future develonment of the oil industry in New Zealand. The enterprise shown by the companies was ex--11 mpled in the employment of Mr. Fedorowicz, whose scientific attainments and experience in the oil fields of the various European countries specially fitted him for the all-round work rcauired of him in Nf.w Zealand. Following upon the arrival of Mr. in New Zealand early last "ear, : his inspection of the JToturoa oil field Prompted him to warn the companies of the ereat damage sWhieh was daily accruing By the passage of water into the primary productive oil formation per medium of the wells 'belonging to the Taranaki Oil: Wells 1 Co. "I should explain," said Mr. Griffiths, "that the inundation of water caused by badly-drilled wells (in otlw \ countries) has comoletely ruined sdne very productive fields, and many Well* have been abandoned, resulting in the loss to these countries of millions of pounds sterling. The seriousness of the water problem has caused all the oilproducing countries to make regulations which reduce the water danger to a minimutn." He went on to remark that in these countries provision was made for blocking wells which became unproductive or were abandoned. On October 24, 1913, he continued, his company wrote to the Taranaki Oil Wells Com' pany statin" that damage was being done at Moturoa by the water which was passing into the oil stratum through No. 1 and- No. 2 wells on it# property, and suggesting that these wells should be properly plugged up. The secretary of the Taranaki Oil Well# Company replied stating that the allegations regarding these wells were altogether inaccurate, and further that they had not been abandoned. During this time, Mr Griffiths remarked, the Blenheim well was steadily approaching the oil formation to be found at approximately 2200 feet. At 2021 feet the casing was set in cement, and the water completely excluded from the casing. On December 31, 101S, oil was struck which was aboslutely free from water. The production increased until it reached slightly more than .fifty barrels (of forty gallons each) daily. This continued un-. ! tiriued until the storage capacity: wm filled. Further accommodation waa, secured and immediately after production had been resumed it was discovered that water was entering the bore. Continued baling of the well resulted in the production of water, oil, residue, and mud in emulsion. Profitable production of oil from this level, which ghould have lasted for probably many years undiminished, Tas now ruined. The loss to the company was great, but a matter of perhaps greater importance was. the dan-

gcr to which all future well* were ex-

posed. The water trouble having become manifest, the companies sought protection such as had been granted in other countries. It was impossible to know tke amount of damage so far done, but a large area of the field might yet be saved if the wells in question were treated in such a manner as would, stop further inundation of the field. Other levels besides those which the present wells had reached were supposed to carry oil, and it was feared that UH-

less proper steps were taken these levels also might be flooded, thus spoiling any possibility of production of oil from the field at all. "We therefore suggest," said llr Griffiths, "that you immediately do what is necessary to prevent the Taranaki Oil Wells, Ltd., drilling anv of their wells any deeper and furthei suggest that Mr Morgan (Government Geologist) should visit the field and inspect all the wells, with a view to giving directions for the carrying out of such work as may be necessary for giving such protection to the field as had been given in other countries. Furjthcr, that such regulations should be at once gazetted as will enable you to insist upon the carrying out of audi protective measures as may be nececsary for the preservation of Moturo* or any other field."

Mr iVidorowicz said that one well that was letting water through vu quite sufficient to spoil the whole oilfield.

Mr Weston said that the owners of the welfa complained of nut forward ti *j theory that water was in the oil •"* stratum naturally, and they claimed that U'e presence of water in wells sunk - under the superintendence of Mr Fedo-" "* rowicz furnished proof of their contention. This theor- he (Mr Weston) did not accept. He considered that the blocking of wells, where this was neaetsnry, should be carried out by the Government, the cost being borne by the companies concerned. The Minister said that he would send the Government Geologist (Mr Morgan) tip to Moturoa to-morrow (Wednesday)' to investigate the position and make » full report. The TaranaW Oil Welle Company, of course, had a riijht to be heard. He realised that the matter was one of ven' "real importance, and that delay might be dangerous. He understood that he had no power to interfere ' > with drilling meantime, but besides obtaining a report from Ms geologist, be would instruct the Crown Law Department to furnish an interpretation of the Act bearing on the subject.