Geological Department,

El Mene,

28th August 1931

The General Manager,

British Controlled Oilfields, Ltd.,

LA ESTACADA.

Dear Sir,

1. As suggested by you, I am putting forward my ideas of the principles which should guide any rejection of land in the Orinoco Delta. I am confining myself to the Geological aspect of the case, as I do not know which areas have already been granted or are likely to be granted. Commander Baine could doubtless adjust geological recommendations to the actual situation and put forward definite proposals for reduced areas.

GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE

2. Our knowledge of the oil prospects of the Orinoco Delta is based on such very scanty information that it includes a great deal of surmise. The main points are:

3. (i) Surface Geology: There are at Pedernales outcrops of rocks which can be correlated with the formations of Southern Trinidad. These rocks occupy a few acres only, but are strongly impregnated with oil. This is the only region in the Delta where surface exposures of the underlying rocks are known.

4. The whole of the Delta was partially explored by the B.C.O. geologists and engineers in the years 1920 - 1924 and no other rock exposures were reported by them, the surface consisting entirely of alluvium.

5. (ii) Seepages: There are large seepages of asphaltic oil at Pedernales. At Guanipa also, which is 15 miles west of Pedernales and not in the Delta proper, there are large seepages. In addition, numerous other occurrences of pitch or asphaltic oil and gas were reported during the B.C.O. surveys in 1920 - 1924. These are shown on the accompanying map. I can confirm one or two of these, having visited them myself.

6. Reference to the map shows that it is right to make the statement, that the Delta is charaterised by general, if somewhat widely separated, occurrences of pitch and gas. It is presumed that the pitch occurrences are in most or all cases natural ones and not asphaltic oil or pitch washed up on tides or brought down by the river.

7. It is not known how many of the gas seepages are due to decaying buried vegetation causing evolution of methane. The gas emanating with oil and forming mud volcanoes up to 30 ft. high in the Pedernales - Guanipa region are unquestionably petroleum associates. Samples of gas which I believe came from Tobeina (see map) were reported on by Mr. W. J. A. Butterfield on the 22nd May 1925, who said "It is very improbable that such hydrocarbons would occur in any natural gas not associated with petroleum".

8. (iii) Regional Geology: Northern Venezuela consists of a great geosynclinal basin of sediments deposited between the great Brazilian metamorphic and igneous massif on the South and the metamorphic and igneous North coastal ranges of Trinidad and Venezuela on the North. This basin extends for 1,000 miles into Columbia.

9. Geological reasoning leaves no doubt whatever that general tectonics and conditions of sedimentation in Southern Trinidad and the Northern Delta must be very similar. The main fold lines throughout the Delta undoubtedly run in an approximately E-W direction.

10. The B. C. O. test well, drilled in 1924, to a depth of 1610 ft. at Boca Macareo in the Delta does not conflict with these views. As far as I was able to ascertain from the records, the age of the formation penetrated by the well was not proved, but it might easily correspond to the Moruga formation of Trinidad, which lies immediately on top of the main productive horizons there. In the well five gas shows and one pitch show are recorded.

BASIS FOR SELECTED AREAS

11. From the foregoing, it is clear that the selection of lands in the Delta depends on a good deal of generalisation with a small amount of precise information. Selection is based on the following: -

(i) Proximity to Pedernales and to the Palo Seco Oilfield of Trinidad and to the proved oil bearing conditions of Cedros.

(ii) The inclusion of the most important seepage areas shown on the map.

(iii) Selecting areas across the strike, i.e. covering the Delta in one part or another in a North-South direction.

(iv) Avoiding the Southern part of the Delta, where the Rio Grande (the southernmost arm of the Delta) marks the igneous complex. The sedimentaries are likely to be disturbed in the vicinity of the contact with igneous, where there is probably major faulting.

(v) Other things being equal, choosing the most easily accessible regions. The sea coast line of the Delta is practically inaccessible on account of shallow water and the tremendous surf raised by the trade winds.

AREAS SELECTED

12. The accompanying map shows the total Delta concession, which by measurement from this map amounts to approximately 1,202,000 hectares.

13. Three areas selected in accordance with the principles enumerated above are also shown, amounting to about 663,000 hectares or just over half the total area.

NORTHERN DELTA

14. We are in complete ignorance as to where the structure lines pass through the Delta, but by analogy with Trinidad, and on account of proximity to Palo Seco, Cedros and Pedernales, as well as on account of being most easily accessible, my opinion is that the Northern part of the Delta is best. A modification of the area suggested, which might be better, would be to take more land along both banks of the navigable Caño Macareo in the centre of the block and less at the Eastern end, because the Macareo is the main navigable channel. As marked on the map the area amounts to some 467,000 hectares.

15. It will be seen from the map that the northermost parts of the Delta concession are distant only 11 miles from the Palo Seco Oilfield and 11 miles from Pedernales respectively.

TOBEINA REGION:

16. There is no doubt that the seepages at Tobeina exist. When I was last in the Delta I happened to meet Mr. J. V. Harrison of the Anglo-Persian Oil Co., who had been to Tobeina and confirmed this. Moreover, the shallow test drilling (up to 300 ft. odd) carried out there by the B. C. O. certainly encountered gas. It appears to be this area to which Mr. G. B. Reynolds referred on the 9th November 1922 when he wrote "In the deeper holes the sand contained gas under high pressure, which rendered deepening difficult"

17. This area, the easternmost part of the concession, is comparatively inaccessible. Ordinarily, it cannot be approached from the sea on account of the bar and surf. Consequently access involves a 200 mile journey round the Delta from Pedernales or the mouth of the Macareo. The Eastern area shown on the map amounts to some 141,000 hectares.

Notwithstanding the distance, in my opinion the Tobeina area should not be rejected.

SOUTHERN DELTA

19. The Southern area is suggested on account of the seepages of gas and pitch. Also, it is a sufficient distance from the metamorphic massif to have a chance both of folding and of sufficient thickness of sedimentary strata. The area shown on the map amounts to some 55,000 hectares.

CONCLUSION

20. To recapitulate: the Delta is entirely covered by alluvium, but the proximity to Oilfields in Trinidad, seepages in the Delta, and the knowledge that Geological conditions cannot be very dissimilar to those in Trinidad, affords a basis on which relative values of different parts of the Delta may to some extent be judged.

21. In view of the apparent impossibility of surveying the Delta concession in the time available, the state of the surveys in hand and the probability or otherwise of plans being accepted by the Goverment assume a dominating importance. In these circumstances my proposals of preference for certain areas must be subservient to the surveying and legal situation.

22. As the loss of a large part of the Delta Concession must be contemplated, it is undoubtedly most important to concentrate future surveying on the best areas.

Yours faithfully,

G. W. Halse

GWH/JMC.

21st June 1922

The Manager,

British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.,

Port of Spain.

Dear Sir,

Since my last report of 12th instant I have the following to record:

Guaya Area. Alberto Flores reported that he knew of an Indian who could guide him to a bed of pitch in this area, therefore, on the 15th instant I proceeded to this district by couriale and made an investigation of the Caņo en route. I enclose a rough sketch map No.1. showing gas seepage marked with a cross. The ground here is of a boggy nature and the gas gives off a clear flame when a light is applied. Dead trees are also located here as well as at intervals along the Caņo banks.

I was unable to find the Indian guide I was in search of but procured another Indian who guided me to to Punta Guaracasana where I found several small beds of pitch, samples of which are sent herewith.

Punta Guaracasana is on the north coast of a small Island in the area of Caño Jobina and is best approached from the mouth of the Nurejina, via Cañoita Dietoboida and Caño Jobina as per rough sketch map No. 2 herewith on the North coast of this island there are two small creeks overhung and almost closed by the bush and to locate the pitch one must take the westerly of the two creeks at the falling tide, following it up for about 150 to 200 yds when a path blazed on the tree trunks will be found which leads thereto. The pitch is underground anything from two to three feet and is mostly in small lumps. It would appear that it had been transported here by the sea from some other area. There are no surface seepages or indications and at high tide the water rises several inches above the ground level. Indians have been in a habit of using this pitch.

Gas is also found here but does not give off a petroleum smell.

Sketch map No. 2 also shows areas where there are gas and dead trees.

Mariusa Area. Sr. Pedro Maria Mata has just returned from this area as I was departing from Jobina, so I referred him to Mr. Villa who has all information thereof.

Loran Grande. When Sr. Boustillo reported to me after visiting this area he had a sample of pitch and when questioning him I learned that he had got it from Punta Guaracasana where I had been.

Congrejo. It appears that all round this coast there is pitch to be found and I have therefore advised Mr. Villa to visit this area taking with him an old Indian I had met when at Jobina. He is an old man and thoroughly conversant with the Islands and would be a good man to retain.

I have passed on to Mr. Villa all maps and papers I had in my possession along with notes of information.

G. W. Matchett

12th June 1922

Messrs British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.,

27 Marine Square,

Port of Spain.

Dear Sirs,

As desired by Mr. W.E. Goodwin I went off by Couriale to exploit the North coast of Tobejuba on the 7th last. I took with me Sr. Pedro Marin Mata whom I intercepted en route for the Mariusa district. I camped two nights on this Island and during that time exploited the coast and also made two trips inland.

The beach is about seven miles long and has a depth of about three miles at low tide - low and flat. From the N.E. point westwards for about three miles there is a thin covering of yellow sand under which is a grey blue clay. A mile or so further west this clay is on the surface and extends as far as the N.W. Point - Punta Jotojana. At various points along the beach there are seepages of a red rusty nature such as that derived from decayed vegetation: this settles as a skim on any still water. I could not find any trace of petroleum on the beach.

About half way along the coast there is a small Island about two miles long by half a mile wide, on the southern side of which is a channel of fairly deep water having a depth of about nine to ten feet at high tide.

On the N.E. side of the Island and approaching the N. point there ia a thin line of dried up trees extending along the water's edge about one hundred yards. The coast all along is high and dry and at most places has a depth inland of about five hundred yards. The surface is hard and the water thereon is said to be that from recent rains.

Pedro Maria Mata conducted me inland for about two hours. At five hundred yards approximately we reached a belt of dried up trees extend along parallel to the coast for several miles and having a depth of one hundred yards. I made an excavation at the root of one of these trees, but could find nothing that would cause the trees to die. The soil was of a black sandy nature and had an ordinary smell and the water found was sweet and clear. On going further into the bush, Mata pointed out two small swamps where the gas seeps out when prodded and on the surface there is a skim of a similar nature to that already referred to. Mr Reynolds I believe has already been shown this. Near these swamps there extends in a S.E. direction a large savannah with nothing but low bush and dead trees. I could not ascertain the extent of this savannah. It was all under water owing to the recent rains and I was unable to investigate further. In the evening at high tide Mata went off to investigate the Mariusa country and is going to clear the Caño Jibasa that it may be passable by couriale.

On the evening of the 8th I moved my camp further west and made another excursion in the bush the following day but only encountered dead trees scattered here and there. I was prevented from proceeding as far as yesterday having arrived at boggy ground about one thousand yards from the beach.

Pedro Maria Mata does not know of any pitch seepage or outcrop in Tobejuba, the seepage I presume he was referring to is that in Mariusa district, where he is now investigating. I was under the same misapprehension until I got to Tobejuba. He now states that the pitch is in Mariusa hence the second para of my letter of 6th June should refer to Mariusa instead of Tobejuba. Alberto Flores also speaks of pitch in this district, so when the is available I propose to move to this area and make a thorough investigation.

Isla Horan Grande: Señor Boustillo reported to me yesterday that the guide who was to show him the pitch in this Island had failed to turn up, but that he had another man who had an idea of its whereabouts and wanted my instructions to go and find it, I advised him that he had been employed to point this pitch out to me and that it was up to him now to do so. I therefore sent him to this area at his own expense and he will return on or about the 18th instant.

Caño Orobujo: On the 10th I visited this Caño with a man named Fabia Castillo and examined a strong gas seepage. The area round where the gas is soft mud and extends for about fifty to sixty yards in the vicinity of said man's house. The gas has an obnoxious smell and gives off a clear flame for some time when a light is applied.

I enclose an approximate sketch map of the route taken to this area from Juan de Secho.

Caños Guaya & Horan: Fabia Castillo also knows of pitch between these caños and has now gone to ascertain its existence, and he will be found at any time we may require him at his house at Caño Orobujo.

Alberto Flores knows of an Indian who claims to have seen pitch around Guaya: I am therefore going off there by couriale for a few days to try and locate same.

Yours faithfully,

G. W. Matchett

Orinoco Delta,

31st May, 1922

Messrs British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.,

27 Marine Square,

Port of Spain.

Dear Sirs,

I have occupied the time since forwarding my last report, to an exploration of tho Caño Araguao from its East junction with the Araguaomujo, to the Rio Grande. I enclose a sketch map of this river showing all the information I have been able to collect of this area. I have however received general information of other parts of the Delta, from various Indian camps, and give that below.

Caño Araguaito. This Caño does not flow to the sea, but joins Rio Grande and Caño Araguao. From this river there is a small creek leading to the Caño Mariusa, the only entrance to Mariusa country from inland I am told. A few gas shows have been reported here.

Rio Grande Area. Regarding the seepage of pitch in the savannah I have already mentioned, the man called Cato, who was to meet the guide who knew the location of this place on the 15th May, has not yet returned. Alberto Flores reports several gas shows in creeks on the right bank of the river. From the same source I have been told of a sulphur mine in the hills.

Caño Guiniquina, and Loran Grande. A guide will be at Iduborojo on or about the 9th June, who claims to be able to show a bed of pitch in both places. A man called Boustillo secured this guide, and is to await his arrival at the camp.

I have handed over to Mr Matchett all unconfirmed information so that he may be able to get it verified after I have left the Delta.

Yours faithfully,

G. Mc Nab

Orinoco Delta,

19th May, 1922

Messrs British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.,

27 Marine Square,

Port of Spain.

Dear Sirs,

With reference to your letter of 3rd inst., instructing me to proceed to Caño Guaya and investigate reports made by natives on that area.

On 18th inst., I proceeded in the launch Grace, under pilotage of Captain Viscaino, along the route shown in the attached sketch map. The journey took nine hours in all, including three hours spent at the location concerned.

I have shown as much detail as possible in the sketch map, and, as you will see from it, the area covered by dying trees is considerable, although the actual depth back from the water's edge is not definitely known. A large number of trees have bare blackened stems with just a small bunch of foliage at the top.

Gas is plentiful, and highly inflammable but I found no smell of petroleum. Nothing is known of pitch or oil seepages in this neighbourhood.

The above has been reported verbally to Mr. W.E. Goodwin.

Yours faithfully,

G. Mc Nab

Exploration Department,

Geological Section,

British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.

Orinoco, Venezuela.

14th July, 1922.

REPORT No. V3

Dear Sir,

Acting on Capt. Goodwin's suggestion I explored the portion of Idrobrojo island lying to the South west of the Company's camp. Herewith report, sketch and samples of same.

The portion I explored lies South west of the Camp and forms an Island by itself, it is nearly circular in shape, having a diameter of about 600 yds; the whole of the island seems composed of blue clay to a considerable depth covered on the surface with a very thin film of brownish looking silt.

The Island is divided into two circles. The inner being a patch of dead trees and will be mentioned below as Inner Circle; the outer being a fringe of very healthy trees and will be mentioned as outer circle

Iron films occur roughly around inner circle at its junction with outer circle.

INNER CIRCLE

About 200 yards diameter, ground firmer than ground in outer circle: slight indication of H₂S gas. Trees all dying or dead, latter covered with ants. Soil same as per samples.

OUTER CIRCLE

Fringe of very healthy trees, soil same as per sample sometimes almost liquidified; very swampy, strong signs of H₂S Gas.

Yours faithfully

E. C. Villa

Exploration Department,

Geological Section,

British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.

Orinoco Delta

9.7.22

The Manager,

British Controlled Oilfields Ltd.,

Trinidad Office.

BARAKOIDA 30.6.22

All east coast of a sand nature with thin pasturage inland for a few hundred yards then mangrove trees and swamps of the usual kind appear. Sample of sand on Beach marked B.

Trees all healthy, no signs of Pitch, Gas or Oil. Plenty of Chiriwiree (½ deer ½ pig) abound in the pasturage indicated on sketch. Shot one for my men, good eating. Very strong currents fly around the South east and North east joints of this Island; making landing very difficult.

TURTLE 1.7.22

East coast narrow fringe of sand beach. Part of Island very swampy and well covered with water. Signs of March gas on South coast. Trees exceedingly healthy all over this Island; it is a breeding place of flamingoes and egrets. No samples taken as it is all of an alluvial swampy nature; the beach being ordinary sand.

TOBEJUBA 2, 6th & 7th July 1922

Visited east coast of Tobejuba on the 2nd. Firm beach four or five miles long, hard enough for a motor car to travel on. Swamp commence about ¼ mile from beach, ground between being of a dry nature. Trees inland healthy when reviewed from beach.

EAST COAST

Sand sparkles with little bits of things that look like mica, sample enclosed marked T.1., frequent outcrop in patches of greyish looking clay, sample enclosed marked T.2. Oily films formed of compound of iron; frequent.

Tobejaba Lagoon 6th & 7th July.

Trees all along lagoon very healthy. Trees down creek marked xxx very thin and unhealthy. No gas or Pitch. Water in lagoon very shallow, water down creek deep, but has many hidden snags. Soil inland deep layer of alluvial deposit. Few showing of iron formation films on surface of water inland. Nothing worth reporting. Creek I named Wild Duck Creek as guide had no name for it and wild ducks are very plentiful.

IBROIDA 3rd & 8th July.

Sr. M. Mata approached me on the morning of the 3rd July, said he was accompanied by the Indian Govenor of this region, who knew of a pitch mine at Ibroida. As I was calling at Idrobojo in the Orinoco I suggested Mata and the Indian Governor accompany me. He said he would rather go there in advance and get his men to cut a trace. I towed him to a Joint of Ibroida, left him there with his crew and at his request I returned myself at 1 p.m. Mata then said there was no trace to cut as the pitch was on the beach at that spot and now covered by high tide; and that I would have to wait till 5 p.m. before we could dig it up. Told him I would explore the interior and return at 5 p.m. Got his men to cut me a trace, went in one mile due north and then ½ mile due east till I again struck the shore; found no signs of gas, pitch or oil anywhere; soil all swamp with a thick coating of alluvial deposit. I then went along the shore in a northerly direction for two miles, good hard beach, white sand, occasional outcrop of blue clay as per sample marked T2 (same as clay from Tobejaba coast). Sand has few pieces of sparkling atoms like mica (sample marked H5) but not nearly so much as the Tobejaba sands. H.5 on sketch is where sample H5 is from. H.4 on sketch is where sample T2 is from.

On return to Mata at Joint T (in green) on sketch, I found his men digging three holes about two feet apart and from each hole small pieces of pitch were extracted, pieces being the size of pigeons eggs. They were got at about 18" to 2' under the surface, and after about a dozen pieces were extracted from these holes he stopped digging. I was not satisfied however and sending for shovels had a few large holes 3 and 4 feet deep dug close by but found no pitch or the faintest signs of pitch. Mata assured me however that the Governor said that there was a very big valuable mine around here and indicated spots that were already submerged by the rising tide. I made enquiries and finding that a particularly low tide was due on the 8th instant I determined to revisit this place and investigate further; in the meantime sending Mata at the Araguaobisi Caños as he said the same Indian Governor knew of pitch there. On the 8th instant during a particularly low tide I revisited spot T (in green) on sketch and marking light lines N, NE., E, SE, S., SW, W & NW., dug about 50 holes using shovels and making say large holes down to 3, 4 and 5 ft. in depth we found no signs of pitch at all although we worked at a radius of ¼ mile from the holes where Mata extracted his pitch on the 3rd instant. Samples marked H1 (A) and H1 (B) are from four holes marked H1 in sketch (A) being the first foot (B) being 2nd foot, remainder of subsoils (B).

Samples marked H2 are from holes in the vicinity of H2 on sketch, this sand being the first foot the remaining depth is as per H1 (B).

Samples marked H3 (A) and H3 (B) are from holes in the vicinity of H3 on sketch. H3 (A) being first foot and H3 (B) being 2nd foot; reminder up to 3ft as (B).

Samples marked H4 (A) and (H4) (B) are from holes in the vicinity of H4 in sketch H4 (A) being 1st foot H4 (B) being 2nd foot and downwards.

Altogether, I explored about 6 miles of Ibroida on the East and South sides including Beach and inland and could find absolutely no signs of pitch or anything resembling same. I have seen frequent films of oily looking substance on the sands and water all along the east coast but these have all proved to be compounds of iron. A good many outcrop of blue clay as per T2 occur along the beach in irregular patches. I am perfectly certain Mata took good care to make a misunderstanding during the interpretation so that he could get to Ibroida before me, and firmly convinced that during my absence he dug holes and put in the pitch he found later for me; for it is certainly extraordinary that he and his men could make three small holes in a radius of five foot circle using only their cutlasses and find pitch in all of them within 1½ to 2 ft of the surface and that when I ordered other holes to be dug, I finally dug over 50 using shovels that no signs of pitch could be found.

I have given him another chance up the Araguaobisi and am keeping my eyes on him, although I am firmly convinced already that he is worthless.

OWYAMA 4th July 1922.

Nothing to report, majority of trees healthy. Few patches of unhealthy trees. No signs of gas. Soil alluvial deposit, sand, and white clay as per sample (C). One to two small sandy beach at S.B. The natives I had did not know the name of Owyama Island and I called it Owyama after some pumpkins we found growing at H.B. in sketch (pumpkin - Owyama - auyama).

CHIRIWIREE 5th July 1922.

This Islanl also had no name and I called it Chiriwiree Island after the name of game found at Barakoida opposite this Island. Small sandy beach and dead tree patch on East coast; remainder of Island usual alluvial swamp; all trees healthy. No gas. No pitch. No oil. No samples taken.

S.S."Mercer" arrived 9th. Making up reports 9th and 10th instant.

E. C. Villa

Report No. VI

Exploration Department.

Left Tobina by couriale at 8 a.m. 24/6/22; entered Aticiquare Caños at (A) in sketch and proceeded south west till arrival at (B) where we had breakfast at deserted Indian encampment 1 (D.F.C.i).

From there we arrived on South west entered the Guayo Lagoon and turned off a small creek (C) in sketch where we camped for the night at deserted Indian Encampment2 (D.E.C.2).

Distance from Tobina to D.E.C.2 at (C) 6½ hours by couriale.

Trees all along the Aticiquare from (A) to (C) fairly thin and unhealthy with occasional small patches of dead trees.

Signs of gas at D.E.C. 1 and D.E.C.2; this ignites for a few seconds if the swamp is stirred with a fork, it emits no smell, and is I think only Musk-gas. No mosquitoes or sandflies at D.E.C.2.

Leaving D.E.C.2 at 6 a.m. on the 25/6/22 we proceeded down the Guayo lagoon in a South Easterly direction to (D) in sketch when we turned South west and travelled down to Yakonoco Caños to (E) in sketch crossed the Merahina river and entered the Sabine Caños travelling South West to (G) in Sketch then south across the Jobina to the mouth of the Ajeraine Caños (H) from there we went over to (K) in sketch and camped for the night at inhabited Indian Camp (H.E.C.3).

Distance from Tobina to H.E.C. 3 at (K) 14 hours by couriale.

Trees along the Guayo lagoon from (C) to (D) very healthy indeed with no dead or dying trees with the exception of Moraco Island. The whole of Moraco Island appears to be dead and dying trees (I intend visiting this Island for an examination at a later date). All trees on Hitiena Island very healthy except a small patch marked xxx.

On entering the Caños at (F) in sketch, none of the guides or boatmen knew its name so I called it Sabine Caños naming it after our Indian guide. All along the eastern bank of the Sabine Caños is high bush growth and no trees come down to the water's edge at all. Bush quite healthy, few trees in rear healthy.

Along the western bank of the Sabine Caños trees reach the edge of the river in the ordinary way and are healthy and unhealthy in patches, very few dead trees. At the spot marked (T) in sketch there are two huge dead trees one on either bank of the river. No sign of gas at the camp at (K).

We stopped at (K) intending to go direct to the pitch early next morning but an Indian told us that an Indian named Thomas at H.E.C. 4 (L) had some pitch he had picked up at Warakasan, so next morning we called for Thomas but he was out.

We left H.E.C. 3 (K) at 6 a.m. 26/6/22 proceeded to H. then due south down to Aieraine Caños to (M) then called at (L) for Thomas and he not being there proceeded back to (M) and from there along the coast of Yakasimo to (N). Trees all along the Aieraine Caños are quite healthy and normal. Tree along Yakasimo coast and inland on Island are healthy and normal.

From (N) we proceeded up a small creek to (O) cutting the bank to make a way for the coriale at (O) I got out and struck a trail of Mr. Matchett's being West for 10 minutes journey. There we found pitch in creek (marked P); the guide said that was the pitch found by Mr. Matchett and that he (Bastian) knew of pitch farther away and he led me off at an angle of 350 degrees north; a few minutes journey brought us to his pitch find which was still the same outcrop as that found by Mr, Matchett and in sight of it. I told him he would not get paid for bringing me there as Mr. Matchett had already reported on this outcrop.

As however I was there I determined to search farther in and going due north ran out of this pitch outcrop about 5 minutes journey away. I then struck out at North North-east (50) came to the top end of the creek the coriale was at and bore down it to the coast. NO PITCH. I returned again to the pitch outcrop and struck out due south, 5 minutes journey brought us to the end of the pitch outcrop again; I went on for 10 minutes more and came to a dry sandy ridge about 10 to 15 feet wide and two feet above the swamp level. This ran North-west to South-east. I crossed over and went on due South for 15 minutes more but found no more pitch. I made three holes across the ridge from West to East. West being in swamp 100 ft from ridge (H1) Centre being on ridge (H2) and East being in swamp 100 ft from ridge (H3). Holes two feet deep each.

Samples sent by steamer marked H1, H2, and H3.

It appears to me that the pitch outcrop rans North-west South-east on the eastern side of the sand ridge. Pitch sample sent and marked P, is from this outcrop; it is totally different to that found at La Brea or in the Kern Trinidad Holdings at Guapo, Trinidad.

Ground around this pitch outcrop very swampy strong gas showings, ignites with explosion. No smell. Slight films of oil on surface of water; trees all around quite healthy.

Samples were also taken at (S) in the Steamer and at (R) on the Bank and are marked S & R.

Returned to H.E.C.4, Inhabited Camp; found Thomas who took us to Warakasan Island where although I dug over 12 holes two ft. deep could find no trace of pitch. Samples from H.5, H.6 and H.7 on map are herewith sent you marked respectively as above. One piece of pitch found at Warakasan but was obviously washed ashore by the sea. No signs of gas at Warakasan - trees fairly healthy.

Distance from Tobina: to Yakasimo 17 hours by coriale. Spent night at H.E.C. 4.

Early morning 27/6/22 we set off on the return journey as my interpreter had been suffering very badly from dysentry for two days and was weak; and because my compass got damaged in the Yakasimo swamp. (Compass now repaired) I insisted on returning via the sea and reached Idrobrojo in 6 hours time from Warakasan.

E. C. Villa