Story: Oil and gas

Oil seep, Kōtuku (1st of 2)

Oil seep, Kōtuku

Oil and gas naturally rise towards the earth’s surface wherever there is a way up. If fault lines, fissures or cracks allow, petroleum emerges on the ground as sticky, oily deposits known as seeps. Early oil exploration in New Zealand focused on drilling in the vicinity of these seeps. However, it did not always follow that there was oil directly below, as the oil and gas might have taken a winding path.

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How to cite this page:

Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, 'Oil and gas - Early petroleum exploration, 1865–1960', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8916/oil-seep-kotuku (accessed 6 May 2024)

Story by Roger Gregg and Carl Walrond, published 12 Jun 2006