Re-Establishing Oil

Production In Nei

Work of Vacuum Oil Co.

OF interest to all Australian and South Pacific motorists is the Vacuum Oil Co’s report of the progress of the rehabilitation of their oil refinery at Palembang, Sumatra,- NEI. Before the war all Vacuum petrol marketed in this part of the world came from Palembang but it will be remembered that the plant was blown up by the Dutch military authorities in February, 1942, to prevent its falling into Japanese hands and also that it was subsequently bombed by the Allied airforces.

This job of scorched-earth and blitzing was done well and Japan was deprived of vital petrol supplies. However, although the Company has been'hard at work re sumption of operations is not yet in sight.

A great deal has been done to repair and renovate the refinery but because of local unrest it has not been possible to re-enter and inspect the producing fields. The sooner this Sumatran field is producing again, the sooner petrol supplies in Aus tralasia and the South Pacific will be in creased.

At present there are 2,000 Indonesians at work re-establishing the refinery. This number would be increased if more food supplies were available —the workers are paid in commodities rather than in money.

Complete rehabilitation of the refinery must await the arrival of special equip ment from America. This has been de layed by shipping difficulties. It is thought that replacements to the pipeline from the refinery to the oilfields —a distance of 85 miles —will also have to be made.

Major B. M. Sellers has been appointed ADC to the Governor of Fiji in succes sion to Major F. C. Preston, who has returned to NZ.