Having arrived back from the United Kingdom, I applied and got a job working for the South Australian Mines Department. After a period of working around the outer suburbs drilling for water supplies, my partner Cliff Walker and I were sent to a sheep station north of Port Augusta, a place called Wilkatana, under contract by Santos to investigate reports from the station Manager concerning traces of oil being found in a small spring on the property.

With our Percussion Drilling equipment, we reached a depth of 750 feet. During this time each morning the hole would be cleaned out before starting a new day and quite often traces of oil would be found. These samples were collected and given to a Santos Representative who called in each week to view our progress.

During this period the news was passed on to the News Media. A few hours later Cliff and I were surrounded by news reporters and camera men. This story with photos was shown on the front page of The Advertiser 23 January 1956 with the heading: SA oil search progress.

Santos Limited

Santos

50th anniversary: Santos Wilkatana petroleum exploration drilling [PIRSA]