Deep Drilling
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
For Oil
Important Activity in Papua
Prom Our Own Correspondent
T Tttn Port Moresby. Jan. 2.
HE first choice of a drilling location, following intense field activity by Australasian Petroleum Co., Pty., Ltd., is likely to be at a point from 50 to 70 miles inland from the coast of the Gulf of Papua.
An aerial survey and aerial photo graphic survey, undertaken on behalf of the A.P.C. by the Fairchild Survey Cor poration, of U.S.A., and the Dutch East Indies aerial company, K.N.1.L.M., in con junction, have photographed 16,000 sq miles of territory, at a cost of approxi mately £4 TO/- per sq. mile. Maps of a considerable part of the area taken up in Papua have been prepared from the photographs, and work on maps for the balance of the territory in Papua and New Guinea is in hand.
These maps prove invaluable to the field geologists, as do also the conclu sions and findings of the paleontological laboratory established at Port Moresby whereby the age of the various out cropping beds are ascertained.
Five geological parties, as well as seismic and gravity parties, all equipped with aerial maps, are at present con centrating on the most favourable look ing developments, where drilling is likely to commence.
The bulk of the drilling equipment, costing over £200,000, has already been landed in Port Moresby, and is being shipped to the Gulf.