PETROLEUM NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 211, 6 March 1914, Page 4

PETROLEUM NEWS.

GOOD FLOW OF OIL. AT I'iOTAKV BOIIK. Since the lirst indications of oil, about ten days ago, at tho rotary bore of the Taranaki (X.Z.) Oil Wells, Company, Ltd., drilling has been carried down to tho oil level that was met with at No. 5 bore. Yesterday a powerful ga- area was penetrated while drilling was in progress. The bore hay been cased almost to the bottom, and, consequently, these indications were met with at the bottom of the bore. The manager reports that he has not witnessed a stronger outbreak in the Moturoa field. So great was the force of Eras that it forced everything out of the bore to a height ot 40 or 50 feet above the derrick. This outbreak commenced at 4.30 p.m., and lasted till 7 p.m. When the well was capped, and the flow of oil, which by this time was increasing, was diverted into a hugo iron tank by the side of the derrick. All the connections had been made as recently as Wednesday, which proved to be just in time. [*ate last night it was ascertained that the gas pressure was as strong as ever, and that the flow of oil w .» increasing. It is not possible, until the bore has somewhat settled down, to determiie the yield of oil, hut this well gives every promiso of being quite equal to any yet brought into oil iu the Moturoa fleld. ALLEGED FLOODING. MR. MORGAN'S VISIT. As the result of a deputation that recently waited on the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Eraser), the Government Geologist, -Mr Morgan, was dispatched to New Plymouth to make a thorough investigation of the alleged Hooding of a watertight well from as adjacent well that was Bail not to be watertight, and to report generally on laws governing oilfields. Mr Morgan found, in regard to the. alleged flooding, that the evidence was not conclusive, but with a view to reducing the risk of any possible danger in that respect, he makes the following recommendations:—

(1) That oil bores be subject to inspection by a Government official.

(*2} That regulations be made requiring the proper shutting off of water in wells now being bored or producing oil, and the proper plugging of abandoned wells. (3) That no bore be commenced in future without the Government inspector being notified. (4) That plans of surveyed areas and sections ot" all bores b3 supplied to the inspector; also details of bore sections showing the size of casings, points at w'hich water and oil have beeni encountered, and the nature of the strata passed through. (5) That proper logj of all bores be kept, and copies of same to be supplied tn the inspector. (I>) That no casing be put into a bore without first obtaining the 'lermibsion of the inspector. (J) on a well beiie.' abandoned, notice of sucli intention i,e given to the inspector. (8) That all drillers in charge of boring operations be certificated. (9) That all bores be situated at defined distances from roads, buildings, and boundaries of adjoining lands. (10) That no well be allowed to be bored within a defined distance of any other operating well. (11) That all lights used about the derrick and oil tanks be electric lights. (12) That penalties be imposed for smoking in the vicinity of a bore producing oil or inflammable gas. With regard to the above regulations, it is stated that they are in effect similar to those in operation in some other oil-producing countries. The Mines Department has been asked to ascertain from Great Britain and America what are the latest regulations. It is probable that the Department will not wait for the replies, but will immediately draft regulations on the lines of those •uggested by Mr. Morgan.—Dominion.