Page 26 Advertisement 1

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 539, 21 October 1949, Page 26

Ihe SHELL} NEWS COLUMN Increase in world consumption of Petroleum has caused an intensive scarch for oil. No area; however remote; is free from the persistent efforts of Shell explorers. Often the only way to gain access to a likely region is by air; and in some cases, men, material and supplies have been parachuted in. Surveys have been carried out in places as far apart as Venezuela; British Borneo; Nigeria, Queensland; Egypt and New Brunswick: Before drilling commences, it must be ascertained whether oil is likely to be present. This is the job of the Geologist, for oil deposits usually occur in certain earth formations. The appearance of the surface is an indication of the sub-strata, So aerial surveys Play a large part in explora- tion. Close inspection of the aerial photographs follows, and if the area appears likely, the second stage is begun_ Geophysicists F 'earth scientists visic the area and take 84 "soundings' that Is, sec 0ff sound waves which are reflected by the various sub- strata and are recorded on various dellcate instruments on the surface: This reveals the earth formation, and che possible presence of oil: Even more hazardous are marine surveys; which have been undertaken with success on the coasts of EgyPt; Venezuela, Trinidad and Louisiana. A scientist is lowered into the water in a diving bell con- taining delicate remote-control in- struments for taking "soundings' The difficulty is, however, that the scientist is working blind Every- thing depends on the instruments and the conclusions reached by the expert: Shell' $ programme of scientific ex- ploration is raising output daily and Relping t0 build Up a 'huge reserve 0i petroleum. El6.9 Another in the Series ThE SHELL COMPANY Of NZ. LTD (Incorporated in England)