PETROLEUM NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 198, 19 February 1914, Page 4

PETROLEUM NEWS.

THE WATER QUESTION. (To the Editor.) Sir.—l was astonished beyond measure by reading tlm telegram in your paper yesterday morning, stating a deputation of oil companies hud waited upon tile Minister for Mines re tlie alleged Hooding of the Moturon oilfield. This moiiiiiifr'.-i isme gives particulars of the proceedings. By the way, Mr. Editor, it would be interesting to know the names of the deputation. Could not these he published? Mr (Irill'iths acts as spokesman of five companies, "which had so far had a distinctly active career ■■nid had put in good solid woik." I know the Taranaki Oil Lauds Acquisition and Development Co., Ltd. (Blenheim bow), and the Phoenix Oil Company, Ltd., are operating at Moturon. but no other company other than the Taranaki (N.Z.) Oil Wells. Ltd., is doing so. Mr Griffiths is reported to have said: ••Following upon the arrival of Mr Fcdorowicz in New Zealand early last year, his inspection of the Moturoa oilfield prompted him to warn the companies" (the five, presumably, though some were not registered at that time) "of the great damage which was daily accruing by the passage of water into the primary productive oil formation per medium of the Taranaki Oil Wells Company." And yet, in spite of that warning from Mr Fedorowicz, the Blenheim bore was drilled at Moturoa. Why? I will not deal further with the proceedings, save the last iart where the Minister for Mines is reported to have said: ''The Taranaki Oil Wells Company of course, had a right to bo heard." Quite right, sir; T agree with vou. The. company should have been informed of tin; steps that were goiner to be taken against it by the five (sic) companies. My main object in writing is to allay my alarm which mav have 'been caused bv the action of the deputation, and I now quote such authorities as Sir Bovcrton Redwood, A. Becby Thomson, Esq., and Vivian Lewis, Esq., who states that it is a common occurrence in oilfields with heavy, viscous oils such as we have 'iere, for the oil to be carried along to the outlet by saline water, and instances are given where the bulk of saline water is as five to one of oil, aid vet the field was not ruined. There is a difference between extraneous water and saline waters, and the impression I have gained, from reading the account of the renort of the proceedings, is that Mr Griffiths wialws to convey the fact that it is extraneous water that is causing the so-called damage. This is not a fact as was proved by analysis made only a week or so back, and if Mr Griffiths doubts his statement, let him take a wineglassful of the water from the Blenheim bore snd drink if. It will do him good. I agree with the views of the deputation that laws should be passed governing and regulating operations on oilfields in the Dominion, and the gonner the Government recognises its responsibilities in this direction the better.—l am, etc., DUNCAN McALLUM. New Plymouth, February 18, 1014.