OIL BORE TROUBLE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1940, Page 6

OIL BORE TROUBLE

MINISTER OPTIMISTIC SEALING WORK OBSERVED MIDHIRST OPERATIONS "I anticipate that the temporary difficulty in the loss of circulation at the Midhirst oil bore will be overcome to-morrow and with any luck the drilling will continue in much better formations," commented the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, when he arrived at New Plymouth last night after visiting the bore in company with Mr. C. H. Benny, Under-Secretary of the Mines Department. Mr. Webb was impressed by the manner in which the New Zealand Petroleum Company's staff was coping with the problem of the porous sand, that has proved difficult to seal off. Sugar Beet Waste Used. The Minister was shown over the location at Midhirst by the general manager of the New Zealand Petroleum Company, Mr. J. G. Stout, and Mr. H. La Mar, drilling superintendent. As a practical mining man he was interested in the sacks of sugar beet waste and other compounds used in the attempt to pre- | vcnt the loss of drilling circulation and in the chemicals to facilitate the work. It was pointed out to other visitors that the circulating mud was used not only to seal the wall of the bore as the bit made the hole but also to provide the pressure which kept the whole length of unlined well from closing in. He regretted, said the Minister afterwards, that the company's mishap had deprived him of the opportunity of seeing the plant working. However, what he did see was i:-.spiring, particularly as he was accustomed to drilling. Taranaki was fortunate in the equipment that was being used to test the earth. The thing which impressed him most was the calibre of the men in charge of operations and they must be ranked among the foremost experts of the world. If oil was to be found they would find it. In addifion there were the experts engaged on the geological, geographical and seismographic surveys. It was not conceivable that the company would engage such competent men and expend such huge sums of money unless indications were at least promising. Minister's Warning. However, many disappointments must be faced in the search for oil and often many barren holes were put down even in oil-bearing country before oil was actually discovered. Without actual tests no man could say what did exist one to three miles below the surface of the earth. "The cheerfulness of the men at Midhirst in the face of difficulties is infectious," added the Minister. "They must have had many anxious moments in this work of the greatest importance to New Zealand."