Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
each other that it was often unnecessary to touch the ground
when walking from one to another.
This disorderly collection of wooden derricks, settlement
tanks, pumps and steam boilers strewn amidst a labyrinth of
gas, oil, water and steam pipelines gave the newcomer a sense
of indescribable confusion, and finding one's way around could
be a nightmare. Fortunately Upper Burma lies within the dry belt
where rain was infrequent, but when it did fall landslides of
the unconsolidated muds became a frequent cause of serious
problems. Rain gouged deep, steep gulleys into the soft clay
making the movement of personnel and bullock carts incredi-
bly di~cult. And oil was everywhere. It covered everything with
a thin, slippery veneer, and its smell hung in the air all year
round such that you stopped noticing it, except when you left.
Work as Chief Geologist to Yomah Oil was demanding. By
the time Holmes arrived the company had already drilled twenty-
three wells in the Minbu field, and was exploiting a rather poor
coal field in the hope of finding something more extensive. They
also leased several well sites on the Twingon reserve in the
Yenangyaung field which were reasonably productive, generat-
ing between them up to a thousand barrels a day. Since Yomah
Oil did not have its own storage or refining facilities at
Yenangyaung, the oil was bought from them in 1920 by Burmah
Oil at 8 rupees per gallon, generating a handsome turnover of
almost £200 000 in that year. A considerable price increase to
11 rupees a gallon the following year marked a continued
increase in demand that was outstripping supply, but in fact
1921 marked the beginning of the end for oil production in
Burma.
In complete contrast to Yenangyaung the Minbu field was
located on the edge of the jungle, which was home to a large
variety of wild animals including tigers, leopards and elephants.
Minbu also boasted spectacular mud volcanoes. Globules of
viscous oil would rise up through liquid mud on a column
of gas, bursting with some force as they reached the surface and
 
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