Another Drill Started In
p. 80 · Read in the full issue
Papua
ISLAND Exploration Co. announced a: the end of November that drilling has commenced at Omati—the firs site to be drilled by the company in itl permit areas in Papua. lEC is owned by Anglo Iranium OL Vacuum Oil, and Oil Search, and is undeE the same management as Australasiai Petroleum Co. Pty., Ltd., which has aU ready drilled at five sites in Papua. lEC’s new site is in pinnacle limestonj country near the Omati River, abou 280 miles north-west of Moresby and 2i miles from the coast. The camp and rig area is 150 feet above the river, and i special road had to be built for one mill along the edge of a limestone escarpmenr to reach it.
Geologists and engineers consider th( area the most rugged ever tested in thi Islands, Clearing of jungle, erection of i power house, workshops, stores, service buildings and staff accommodation hav\ been going on for nearly a year. Th: rainfall there exceeds 300 inches per yeai The drilling rig installed is rated td reach 5,000 feet —although the same type of rig, used by APC at Wana, is no T drilling below 9,000 feet.