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more, depending apparently on the gas-pressure. It is very difficult to estimate the quantity of oil so far obtained from the well. The amount, however, is said to have been about 30,000 gallons. Great difficulty was experienced in No. 2, as well as in the other bores, in shutting off the water, and with caving mud and sand. Six-inch casing was used in the hole to a depth of 2,114 ft., and 5 in. to a depth of 2,246 ft. . No. 3 well was the only hole from which oil was flowing in any quantity at the time of the writer's visit. When closed down for some hours, the pressure of gas was sufficient to bring to the surface a few barrels of oil mixed with water, which flowed with considerable force through a 2 in. pipe. It will be remembered that this No. 3 well is on the site of the No. 4 well of the Samuel syndicate (the third one sunk by that company), and had by them been put down to a depth of 1,976 ft. The present company have continued the well to a depth of 2,617 ft. (with 6 in. casing to a depth of 2,538 ft., and 5 in. to a depth of 2, 540 ft.). A few barrels of oil were obtained at a depth of 2,200 ft., but the greatest flow came from a stratum between 2,568 ft. and 2,574 ft. It is thought that by pumping this well might be made to yield a flow of at least ten barrels per day. A considerable quantity of oil has been obtained from the well, but unfortunately no estimate of the amount obtained is available. The Bonithon bore, the deepest drill-hole on the field, was sunk to a depth of 3,004 ft., but without striking either oil or gas, though a strong flow of pure fresh water was encountered. The Taranaki Oil and Freehold Company's bore stood at 1,389 ft. when visited. The drill-hole is well cased—lsJ in. tubing to a depth of 200 ft., 12 in. to a depth of 777 ft., then 9 in. to a depth of 1,287 ft. Traces of oil are said to have been encountered in the hole, but no more. At the time of inspection the Standard Oil Company of New Zealand bore stood at 2,500 ft., with 8 in. casing to a depth of 2,300 ft. A little oil is said to have been met with at 1,300 ft. and at 2,300 ft. When visited a new casing was being sunk, and had just reached the lower depth at which oil is stated to have been obtained. Thus the writer was able to see 'a marked impregnation of oil in the comminuted clay brought up by the sand-pump. The plant at this drill-hole is in excellent shape, and well equipped. The New Plymouth Petroleum Company's borehole is now closed down. A depth of 1,060 ft. was attained. At that depth it was reported that there were good indications of oil and gas, and that the tools came up dripping with oil. The Moa Petroleum Company's bore at Ingle wood, sunk to a depth of 460 ft., is now closed, and certain of the tools formerly employed are in the bottom of the hole. The site was chosen because of the existence of a fairly strong flow of inflammable-gas bubbles issuing in a neighbouring stream. Considerable gas is said to have been encountered in the borehole. The Inglewood Oil Boring and Prospecting Company's bore was drilled to a depth of 2,500 ft. No oil was encountered, though there is a strong ebullition of gas, which was ignited and burned with a strong flame at the time of inspection. In the hole, 12 in. to 13 in. riveted casing was used to 80 ft., 10 in. to 300 ft., 8 in. to 1,200 ft., and 6 in. to the bottom. The hole is now abandoned and the derrick dismantled, but the machinery and gear still remain, and appear to be in good repair. Records of several of the bores are unobtainable or very incomplete, as will be seen from a perusal of the appended logs. Owing to the diversity in the nomenclature of the rocks by the various logchrouiclers, we have endeavoured to reduce the names to one standard (those in common practical or scientific use, though not necessarily the local terms), in order to obtain uniformity. LOGS. Taranaki Petroleum Company. No. 3 Bore. (Note. —All the available notes as to the character of the strata are here recorded.) 241 ft. .. First note as to the strata encountered records a " hard streak " —probably a calcareous concretion in " papa clay." 730 ft. - 744 ft. .. Strata very hard. 1,824 ft. .. .. " Hard streak." 1,890 ft. .. Some oil was pumped from the surface of the water. 2,020 ft. - 2,045 ft. . . Blue clay and sand. 2,045 ft. .. .. " Hard streak." 2,050 ft. - 2,094 ft, . . Very soft blue clay and sand. 2,094 ft, - 2,126 ft, . . Blue clay containing a " hard streak." 2,128 ft. .. . . " Small seam of oil." 2,133 ft. .. . . Small quantity of salt water—in clay. 2,137 ft. .. .. Gas occurred. 2,178 ft. - 2,244 ft, . . Clay with a " hard streak." 2,289 ft, . . .. Gas and oil. 2,298 ft. .. .. Blue clay only is reported. 2,335 ft, . . .. Harder rock. 2,337 ft, - 2,398 ft. .. " Granular limestone." 2,398 ft, - 2,411 ft, . . Coarse sandstone. 2,570 ft. - 2,574 ft, .. " Gas very strong." 2,600 ft. , (about) . . Very soft sandstone. . .; ;
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