PETROLEUM NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 262, 3 April 1914, Page 4

PETROLEUM NEWS.

TARAXAKI (N.Z.) OIL WELLS, CO.. LTD. THE ROTARY ROUE. A CLOW OUT. Yesterday afternoon, while drillinr,' was proceeding, another big blow-out. of gas and oil took place at the rotarv bore of the Taranaki {X.JS.) Oil Weils Co. Tlie inside of tlie derrick and en-gine-house wa> swamped mid so strong was the gas that the men found it impossible to remain inside the derrick. The nut linger estimates that abut 50 barrels of pure oil were expelled from the bore, tint only about 25 barrels were saved. There was oil everywhere. .So •luiekly did the outburst occur, that before provision could be made to eonfin" it large quantities of oil eseaned, .and got right awav down the gully at the side of the derrick.

The pressure of gas can readily be imagined, when it is known that the oil 4 Wi!s flowing 'both inside and outside the (iin easing, and that the block and iool wrenches, some of \yliich weigh •2owt. each", were thrown about, as tlinuyh they were feathers. After an hour's blow the pus eased down somewhat, allowing connections to be fitted for the saving of oil when the bore fio«.v again, which may be at any time. This is the second big blow-out at this hove, and is regarded as an excellent indication.