PETROLEUM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2396, 11 January 1909, Page 2

PETROLEUM.

A TARANAKI REPORT

[Pkess Association.]

NEW PLYMOUTH, Jan. 9,

The chairman of the Taranaki Petroleum Company supplies the following : On resuming work on the 4th inst at No. 2 bore, it was found that the oil had risen in the casing to within about 100 ft from the top. The work of taking some of this oil out with the sand pump was therefore put in hand, with the result that on Monday 26 barrels were taken out. On Tuesday 20 barrels were lifted,, and on Wednesday 10 barrels only were taken, as the two big tanks wore full, and the manager found it necessary it. On Thursday the work of splicto cask up a lot so as to find space for ing the cable, etc., in readiness* for drilling was proceeded with. On Friday morning the oil had again risen some 200 feet, so some 10 or 11 casks were taken off. This lowered the oil, but little reduced the gas, which was very strong, and sent. a considerable quantity of sand up with the oil. It was decided to proceed with the drilling so as to get down to the expected big vein as quickly as possible. No. 3 bore is now entirely clear, and it is expected that by about Tuesday night a string of casing will be down, which it is hoped will shut off the water. The directors at that night’s meeting resolved to make provision at No. 2 bore in case of striking a large flow of oil lower down. For this purpose more casks are to be purchased, and the chairman, vicechairman, and the manager were appointed a committee to consider the question of providing still further tankage. This may take the form of a large excavated tank, puddled with clay, roofed in, and covered on top with, clay or earth, so as to prevent evaporation of the spirituous parts of the produce. These earth tanks are largely in use in Russia, and other parts of the world.