§ 13. Mr. George Hallasked the Secretary for Mines what is the number of test-drillings taken for oil production in this country during the past two years; will he make a statement as to whether any oil has been discovered; and, if so, the quantity and the quality of it?
§ Captain CrookshankDuring the period mentioned, apart from a number of shallow borings in different parts of the country for the purpose of obtaining necessary geological data, five test bore-holes for oil have been commenced, of which two have been completed and three are still in progress. In the two completed boreholes traces of oil were found, but no accumulation was encountered.
§ 14. Mr. Hallasked the Secretary for Mines the number of licences for prospecting for oil in this country which have been granted by his Department; and the names of the companies or persons to whom the licences have been granted, also the areas covered by the licences?
§ Captain CrookshankAs the reply contains a numbr of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The information is as follows:
| Oil Prospecting Licences granted under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934. | ||||
| Name of Licensee. | Number of Licences granted. | Area covered, square miles. | ||
| D'Arcy Exploration Company, Limited | … | … | 52 | 9,233 |
| Anglo-American Oil Company, Limited | … | … | 5 | 478 |
| Midlothian Petroleum Syndicate | … | … | 1 | 12 |
| Steel Brothers and Company, Limited | … | … | 2 | 350 |
| Gulf Exploration Company (Great Britain), Limited | … | 9 | 1,277 | |
| 69 | 11,350 |