Papuan Oil Drill

Down 899 Feet

From Our Own Correspondent

Pt. Moresby, May 1.

THE Australian Petroleum Co. reported, on April 15, that drilling was in progress on their Kariava No. 1 well, as follows: “23 in. hole drilled to 899 ft., at which depth 18| in. casing was run and cemented.”

In such prosaic words is indicated the nrogress of a gigantic and —because Britain wants a new oilfield—an inter nationally important enterprise.

In the wild jungle country of Papua. 800 ft. up, on a ridge, with a beautiful

view of mountain ranges, rising to over 10,000 ft., and with a Kuku-Kuku vil lage in sight, stands the little settlement of Kariava. Here are some 50 members of the A.P. Co. staff, busily seeking the oil which will put Papua on the map.

The efforts of the company, in this direction, have been nothing less than heroic. The construction of the huge “rig”, 140 ft. high, and its vast and solid concrete foundations, and the transport of masses of heavy and intricate mach inery connected with drilling operations, have entailed almost superhuman effort and much “blood and sweat”.

A good road runs for over three miles from the river, through extremely rough country. This has been constructed, and the rig and the numerous buildings erected, with as little fuss and bother as though the company were settling in comfortably in an already established district.

The houses for the staff are both com fortable and picturesque. They are mos quito-proof, have Bieri roofs, timbered floors, timber and canvas sides, and large gauze windows; and, with electric light and other modern conveniences they provide comfortable living condi tions in the middle of the jungle.