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By Hallan N. Marsh, Bruce H. Robinson

It is now generally recognized that to secure the greatest ultimate recovery of petroleum from a field it is necessary to maintain at all times the lowest possible ratio of gas to oil production. The numerous ways of securing low ratios are not so generally understood or practiced. To many operators, reduction of gas-oil ratio simply means "beaning back" wells, with resultant reduced production rate. This postponement of production is often considered and spoken of as "lost" production, with the result that control of gas-oil ratio is in disfavor with some operators. Various methods are herein discussed by which gas-oil ratio may be reduced, some of which invoLve no curtailment of current production, while others are accompanied by an actual increase of daily production. It is further shown that in cases where rate of production is reduced to conserve gas, the indicated ultimate recovery is generally increased. Principles involved are discussed, and conclusions are illustrated by data from the operation of wells. General Principles The rate and ratio in which oil and gas enter a well are solely dependent, so far as the operation of that well is concerned, upon the pressures maintained in the well opposite the producing strata at various times and at various depths. The method of getting the oil out of the hole, whether by natural flow, gas-lift, or pumping, has no effect upon either rate of production or ultimate recovery except through its effect upon pressures. Oil apparently enters wells according to some such equation as the following: R = KC(Pf - Pw)n Where R = rate of production. K = well coefficient, depending upon thickness of sand, and size and number of pores in the sand. C = fluid coefficient, depending upon viscosity, surface tension, etc.

Jan 1, 1929

Discussion of the paper of W. R. Shimer and F. O. Kichline, presented at the New York Meeting, October, 1913, and printed in Bulletin No. 81, September, 1913, pp. 2361 to 2377. ALLERTON S. CUSHMAN,* Washington, D. C.:-I have been much interested in Mr. Shimer's valuable contribution. The apparent fact that the oxides of certain metals which are not reduced by hydrogen per se, are reducible when the oxides are dissolved in iron in small quantity, is brought out for the first time, and is worthy of the careful attention of investigators. The Ledebur method has been subjected to considerable criticism, owing to the alleged fact that it did not measure the oxygen combined with impurities. Personally I have found the method extremely helpful in spite of the minute quantities of oxygen with which it deals. Mr. Shinier points out that the highest oxygen he obtained by over-blowing was 0.074 per cent., while the minimum quantity in a properly finished steel was in the neighborhood of 0.02 per cent. The Ledebur method is used as a constant check on the quality of heats made in practice under my direction. In dealing with a very pure commercial iron, we should expect to find and would find difficulty in galvanizing sheets made from a heat running 0.07 per cent. oxygen. In fact, we do not like to have the oxygen rise above 0.03 per cent. I am inclined to agree with the author that excessive oxygen leaves a bath of metal in a very short time, but nevertheless I believe it takes only a very little combined oxygen to begin to make its presence felt in the pickling and galvanizing department, when sheet metal is the product manufactured. As Mr. Shimer points out, the higher the carbon, the lower the oxygen danger, and it is partly for this reason that the manufacture of carbon-free metal in the open-hearth furnace has to be so very carefully watched and controlled from the furnace through to the finished product. It is quite possible that, there is a critical temperature of dissociation between iron and oxygen, although the critical points may vary in baths of different carbon content. Unfortunately, the accurate determination of the temperature of a molten bath at the time of pouring or teeming is a very difficult matter. For a long time I have been wishing that there were some reliable data which would indicate the effect of the tem-

Jan 12, 1913

By Charles A. Anderson

The Bagdad copper deposit is of the disseminated type (porphyry copper) occurring in a quartz monzonite stock of late Cretaceous or early Tertiary age. This stock, located essentially at the intersection of two dike swarms, is the only one of several stocks cropping out in the area which is appreciably fractured and mineralized. Most of the rocks in the area are of pre-Cambrian age, but their structures have had no discernible influence on the copper mineralization. Hypogene alteration of the quartz monzonite includes the addition of quartz, orthoclase, and sericite and recrystalli-zation of biotite. The hypogene sulphides are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite, the latter younger than the chalcopyrite. The late Cretaceous or early Tertiary igneous rocks, veins, and faults were controlled by northeast and northwest shear zones, the intersection of which marks the zone of appreciable copper mineralization. The minor mineralized fractures carrying the bulk of the copper have a preferred orientation parallel to the intersecting shears, and it is concluded that they are of tectonic origin rather than the result of shrinkage on cooling, crystallization, or mineralization. Supergene enrichment during late Tertiary or early Pleistocene time formed a chalcocite zone providing the minable copper ore. The enrichment was controlled in large part by northeast and northwest faults, prticularly at their intersection or where the faults are closely spaced. Introduction A major objective in a regional geologic study of a mining district is to determine whether any structural pattern can be found that has a bearing on the control of mineralization. The Bagdad copper deposit is of the disseminated type (porphyry copper) occurring in a.quartz monzonite stock which is located essentially at the intersection of two dike swarms (Fig 2). Of several quartz monzonite stocks in the area only this One is appreciably fractured and mineralized. The origin of the minute mineralized fractures in disseminated copper deposits has long been a challenging problem to the mining geologist, and evidence has been obtained to suggest that the mineralized fractures at Bagdad are related to a regional pattern of conjugate shears which also controlled the location of the dike swarms. The purpose of this paper is to Present this evidence and to emphasize the structural control of the supergene enrichment in forming a chalcocite zone that has provided the ore for the Bagdad mine. The field work on which these conclusions are based was done between October 1943 and August 1945, as a part of the copper investigations of the Goelogical Survey, U. S. Department of the Interior. The writer and his associates, E. A. Scholz and J. D. Strobell, Jr., have prepared a comprehensive report on the geology and ore deposits of the Bagdad area which will be published subsequently by the Geological Survey. Bagdad is located in west-central Arizona in Yavapai County. Ransome' divided the State of Arizona into three provinces: I? the plateau to the northeast; 111, the desert region to the southwest and 11, the moun-

Jan 1, 1949

By Charles A. Anderson

The Bagdad copper deposit is of the disseminated type (porphyry copper) occurring in a quartz monzonite stock of late Cretaceous or early Tertiary age. This stock, located essentially at the intersection of two dike swarms, is the only one of several stocks cropping out in the area which is appreciably fractured and mineralized. Most of the rocks in the area are of pre-Cambrian age, but their structures have had no discernible influence on the copper mineralization. Hypogene alteration of the quartz monzonite includes the addition of quartz, orthoclase, and sericite and recrystalli-zation of biotite. The hypogene sulphides are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite, the latter younger than the chalcopyrite. The late Cretaceous or early Tertiary igneous rocks, veins, and faults were controlled by northeast and northwest shear zones, the intersection of which marks the zone of appreciable copper mineralization. The minor mineralized fractures carrying the bulk of the copper have a preferred orientation parallel to the intersecting shears, and it is concluded that they are of tectonic origin rather than the result of shrinkage on cooling, crystallization, or mineralization. Supergene enrichment during late Tertiary or early Pleistocene time formed a chalcocite zone providing the minable copper ore. The enrichment was controlled in large part by northeast and northwest faults, prticularly at their intersection or where the faults are closely spaced. Introduction A major objective in a regional geologic study of a mining district is to determine whether any structural pattern can be found that has a bearing on the control of mineralization. The Bagdad copper deposit is of the disseminated type (porphyry copper) occurring in a.quartz monzonite stock which is located essentially at the intersection of two dike swarms (Fig 2). Of several quartz monzonite stocks in the area only this One is appreciably fractured and mineralized. The origin of the minute mineralized fractures in disseminated copper deposits has long been a challenging problem to the mining geologist, and evidence has been obtained to suggest that the mineralized fractures at Bagdad are related to a regional pattern of conjugate shears which also controlled the location of the dike swarms. The purpose of this paper is to Present this evidence and to emphasize the structural control of the supergene enrichment in forming a chalcocite zone that has provided the ore for the Bagdad mine. The field work on which these conclusions are based was done between October 1943 and August 1945, as a part of the copper investigations of the Goelogical Survey, U. S. Department of the Interior. The writer and his associates, E. A. Scholz and J. D. Strobell, Jr., have prepared a comprehensive report on the geology and ore deposits of the Bagdad area which will be published subsequently by the Geological Survey. Bagdad is located in west-central Arizona in Yavapai County. Ransome' divided the State of Arizona into three provinces: I? the plateau to the northeast; 111, the desert region to the southwest and 11, the moun-

Jan 1, 1949

By J. D. Clark

ONE'S lifetime does not usually offer the oppor-tunity to observe and be a part of the commercial development of an entirely new material. Petalite has been known for over a century, but at first it was presumed rare. However, it was found to be so abundant that it has become a new and extremely useful industrial tool. Mineralogy Petalite is a lithium-aluminum-silicate mineral. It was from petalite that J. A. Arfwedson first discovered lithium in 1818. The theoretical composition of Li2O • A12O8 • 8SiO2 is equivalent to 78.4 pct silica, 16.7 pct alumina and 4.9 pct lithia. The mineral in its known commercial occurrence is colorless to white and rarely gray, transluscent and rarely transparent. It is brittle, has a vitreous luster, and occurs usually in cleavable masses (fig. 1). It is classified as a di-silicate, but is similar in composition to the metasilicate spodumene, Li2O.-Al2O8-4SiO2 (table I). However, their specific gravities are quite different (3.13 to 3.20 for spodumene, 2.39 to 2.46 for petalite). Occurrence Petalite specimens have been reported in many localities; however, there are only three known countries having occurrences of commercial significance. The classic locality is Sweden's Utö Mines, which, although reportedly still containing considerable petalite, have been closed and are not expected to be operated in the near future. At Varuträsk, in northern Sweden, petalite carrying 4 pct lithium oxide is the main ore. In 1946 there was reported about 1000 tons on hand. However, the iron content was 0.60 pet too high for other than chemical use. Petalite has been reported in western Australia. At the Cottesloe mine, where small quantities have been reported available, it is produced in conjunction with feldspar. Petalite occurs in considerable quantity in the feldspar quarry at Londonderry, and it was estimated1 in 1943 that over 3700 tons might be available. The petalite in South West Africa was first discovered by F. J. Jooste, a lawyer by profession, in 1938. The following year he discovered a much larger deposit, and in 1948 another important discovery was made. These deposits occur near Kari-bib and constitute the only known commercial deposits. Their full extent has not yet been determined, but huge massive blocks of petalite of the purest grade, running into many thousands of tons, can be seen in all these deposits. To date, 60,000 tons of high grade, low iron containing ore has been blocked out in the major bodies. Mining for years to come will be confined to simple quarrying. Selection from accessory minerals has proved

Jan 1, 1951

By J. D. Clark

ONE'S lifetime does not usually offer the oppor-tunity to observe and be a part of the commercial development of an entirely new material. Petalite has been known for over a century, but at first it was presumed rare. However, it was found to be so abundant that it has become a new and extremely useful industrial tool. Mineralogy Petalite is a lithium-aluminum-silicate mineral. It was from petalite that J. A. Arfwedson first discovered lithium in 1818. The theoretical composition of Li2O • A12O8 • 8SiO2 is equivalent to 78.4 pct silica, 16.7 pct alumina and 4.9 pct lithia. The mineral in its known commercial occurrence is colorless to white and rarely gray, transluscent and rarely transparent. It is brittle, has a vitreous luster, and occurs usually in cleavable masses (fig. 1). It is classified as a di-silicate, but is similar in composition to the metasilicate spodumene, Li2O.-Al2O8-4SiO2 (table I). However, their specific gravities are quite different (3.13 to 3.20 for spodumene, 2.39 to 2.46 for petalite). Occurrence Petalite specimens have been reported in many localities; however, there are only three known countries having occurrences of commercial significance. The classic locality is Sweden's Utö Mines, which, although reportedly still containing considerable petalite, have been closed and are not expected to be operated in the near future. At Varuträsk, in northern Sweden, petalite carrying 4 pct lithium oxide is the main ore. In 1946 there was reported about 1000 tons on hand. However, the iron content was 0.60 pet too high for other than chemical use. Petalite has been reported in western Australia. At the Cottesloe mine, where small quantities have been reported available, it is produced in conjunction with feldspar. Petalite occurs in considerable quantity in the feldspar quarry at Londonderry, and it was estimated1 in 1943 that over 3700 tons might be available. The petalite in South West Africa was first discovered by F. J. Jooste, a lawyer by profession, in 1938. The following year he discovered a much larger deposit, and in 1948 another important discovery was made. These deposits occur near Kari-bib and constitute the only known commercial deposits. Their full extent has not yet been determined, but huge massive blocks of petalite of the purest grade, running into many thousands of tons, can be seen in all these deposits. To date, 60,000 tons of high grade, low iron containing ore has been blocked out in the major bodies. Mining for years to come will be confined to simple quarrying. Selection from accessory minerals has proved

Jan 1, 1951

By G. P. de Forest, G. O. Hiers

The object of the experiments reported in this paper is to determine the eutectic composition of copper and tin and to determine the location of the part of the liquidus line immediately above the eutectic composition in copper. Three methods were used in the investigation: (1) the method of dissolving copper in a bath of molten tin at constant temperature, with the idea that when the bath was saturated with copper its copper content, by analysis, together with the temperature at which the saturation took place would locate a point on the liquidus line; (2) the method of the differential cooling curves, and (3) the method of microscopic examination. This paper is principally concerned with the results of the last two methods mentioned. The results of the first method, that of dissolving copper in molten tin, did not agree with the results of Miller,' by the same method, nor with the results of other investigators by other methods, nor yet with the results of the cooling-curve experiments and microscopic examination reported here. Solution of Copper in Molten Tin To determine the amount of copper that would be dissolved by molten tin at a given constant temperature the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 was used. It consists of a cast-iron pot a, 6 in. deep and 8 in. dia., well cleaned inside and dressed with graphite. This pot, which holds 15 lb. of tin, g, rests on a hot plate b with resistance winding c. The thermocouple d leads to a Wilson-Maeulen temperature regulator for maintaining the temperahre at the heating coils at a fixed temperature to within ±5°C. There is a shallow bath of solder e on the top of the hot plate to improve the thermal contact between the plate and the pot. An insulating jacket f of asbestos prevents the irregular radiation of heat from the apparatus. The copper stirrer h slowly rotates in, and is dissolved by the bath of molten tin g. This bath is protected from excessive oxidation by a layer of charcoal j. The stirrer h is fixed to the lower end of the iron tube k, which is so mounted that it can be driven by a motor with reducing gear. The temperature of the bath is indicated

Jan 1, 1930

By H. G. Doll

An earlier paper on the general subject of the SP log has analyzed the limitations of that log, in particular when dealing with thin permeable beds enclosed in thick highly resistive ones. Under such conditions, the SP log does not give a good definition of the permeable beds. Selective SP logging is a new method which gives an accurate determination of the permeable beds; even in highly resistive formations, except when the salinity of the mud is extremely high. It also permits a close approxi. mation of the static SP to be obtained. The method consists generally in controlling the potential of auxiliary electrodes located in the drill holes in the vicinity of the measuring electrode. In this manner. the flow of SP current along the drill hole is modified to counterbalance the effect of highly resistive strata. Several procedure; and arrangements used to record selective SP curves and static SP curves are explained. Field examples illustrating these methods are given and discussed. INTRODUCTION In an earlier paper,' the shape of the SP curves and the amplitude of the SP peaks were analyzed, considering how the circulation of the SP current is influenced by the subsurface media as a function of their geometrical configuration and their resistivities. It was shown, in particular. that the permeable beds situated between highly resistive formations are sometimes indistinctly indicated by the deflections of the SP log. It is the purpose of this paper to dircuss a new method now being developed, namely selective SP logging, whose principal feature is to enable a more accurate determination of the depths of the permeable beds present in highly resistive formations, such as occur in limestone fields. It will be shown also how an addi-tional curve called the static SP log can be derived from the selective SP log, or recorded directly, to facilitate the interpretation. Another purpose of the static SP log is to provide an approach toward the determination of the value of the static SP, where this value is not readily given by the SP log. This application. although less important at the present time than that mentioned above, nevertheless is of interest, inasmuch as, according to laboratory and field experiments conducted by several investigators, the determination of oil saturation of reservoirs from the data of the electric log implies the knowledge of the resistivity of the connate water,2,3 to which the static SP seems to be related.4,5,6,7 PRINCIPLE OF SELECTIVE SP LOGGING The method of selective SP logging of the formations traversed by a bore hole consists in recording two curves under the following conditions: The measuring device comprises one measuring electrode M and two additional electrodes G-G', connected to each other. located above and below

Jan 1, 1950

By Henry Emmett Gross

Two types of decline curves are considered and their applications are discussed. The first is the well-known semilogarithmic decline curve having the rate of production plotted on the logarithmic scale and the time on the horizontal scale. The other curve is the percentage of oil in the fluid versus cumulative production, and it is plotted on Cartesian coordinate paper. These curves are illustrated by carefully and adequately labeled graphs. Where conditions permit application of both types of curves for rationally determining the reserves of a well, both should be applied and the most conservative reserve should be chosen. Formulas are given for determining the economic limits. For a semi-l~~arithmic~decline curve the formula is: A = B X C X D X E X F or B = A/C ? D X E X F A = total monthly operating cost (average of past year), B = economic limit in barrels of oil per day, C = days in an average month = 30.4, D = market price of crude per barrel, E = 1-royalty, F = 1-gross production tax, G = water production in barrels per day at the economic limit, H =per cent oil in fluid at economic limit. The economic limit for a per cent oil in the fluid curve is: H = B/B+G X 100 The semilogarithmic decline curve is treated first. Straight-line extrapolations on semilogarithmic paper follow the compound interest compound discount law, hence the ensuing formulas derived from this law may be used in computing reserves for such extrapolations: [1___1/(1+Y)]

Jan 1, 1939

By Henry Emmett Gross

Two types of decline curves are considered and their applications are discussed. The first is the well-known semilogarithmic decline curve having the rate of production plotted on the logarithmic scale and the time on the horizontal scale. The other curve is the percentage of oil in the fluid versus cumulative production, and it is plotted on Cartesian coordinate paper. These curves are illustrated by carefully and adequately labeled graphs. Where conditions permit application of both types of curves for rationally determining the reserves of a well, both should be applied and the most conservative reserve should be chosen. Formulas are given for determining the economic limits. For a semi-l~~arithmic~decline curve the formula is: A = B X C X D X E X F or B = A/C ? D X E X F A = total monthly operating cost (average of past year), B = economic limit in barrels of oil per day, C = days in an average month = 30.4, D = market price of crude per barrel, E = 1-royalty, F = 1-gross production tax, G = water production in barrels per day at the economic limit, H =per cent oil in fluid at economic limit. The economic limit for a per cent oil in the fluid curve is: H = B/B+G X 100 The semilogarithmic decline curve is treated first. Straight-line extrapolations on semilogarithmic paper follow the compound interest compound discount law, hence the ensuing formulas derived from this law may be used in computing reserves for such extrapolations: [1___1/(1+Y)]

Jan 1, 1939

By H. D. Yoo, M. R. Tek, D. L. Katz

The behavior of gas-storage reservoirs subject to water drive is investigated through analog simulation on an electronic differential analyzer. The simulation technique developed on an LM-10 computer permits the prediction of reservoir volume or pressure resulting from the movement of water in the surrounding aquifer. The method developed on the analog computer consists of setting up an appropriate transfer-function circuit and feeding the arbitrary time-varying boundary conditions as an input signal. The input may be specified as gas reservoir pressure, pore volume or the water flux. Several cases studied include an isolated gas reservoir on a limited aquifer, interference among three reservoirs adjacent to a common aquifer and the growth of gas-storage volume on an aquifer. It is concluded that the method developed on an electronic differential analyzer provides an excellent technique to simulate and investigate the behavior of gas reservoirs subject to water drive. The agreement between the reservoir performance as predicted from the simulation technique and as measured from actual field data is found to be better than the range usually encountered in predicting water-drive behavior. INTRODUCTION It is generally known that some gas-storage reservoirs are located on top of blanket sands of large extent, saturated with brine called aquifers. Because the volume of the body of water associated with aquifers is usually very large and water is compressible, the cyclic pressure variations encountered in normal storage service inevitably cause unsteady, compressible flow conditions in the adjacent aquifers. The solution to radial diffusivity equation for a limited aquifer for constant terminal conditions has been know111 since the early 1930's. The solution for the constant terminal conditions for an infinite aquifer was puhlished in 1949.2 The proldem of handling the unsteady flow of water through a porous medium with time-varying boundary conditions has been studied by many investigators through the use of graphical,3 digital4 computing techniques or on an R-C type of electrical analog called a reservoir analyzer.5 The digital computer performs a series of arithmetic calculations to superimpose the solutions of constant terminal conditions, while the R-C type of analyzer permits the simulation of the continuous medium by means of "lumped-cell" electrical resistance and capacitance elements based on finite-difference approximations. The graphical method is based on the convolution integral solution of the partial differential equalion. The purpose of the present study was to simulate the behavior of an aquifer on a general-purpose, electronic differential analyzer to obtain the influx of water or the change in pressure at the reservoir continuous1r and quickly. The use of the electronic differential analyzer was based on well known solutions for the constant terminal conditions already available in the literature.2,6-8 THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL. The gas reservoir (R) is described in relation to an aquifer in Fig. 1. The permeability and porosity of an aquifer sand, the viscosity of the brine, and the compressibility of the brine and the formation are assumed to be constant. It further is assumed that the blanket sand is not thick enough to give appreciable vertical pressure distribution. The model in consideration is circular with radial geometry. The aquifer radius can be of limited or infinite extent. The gas-water interface is assumed to be fully segregated, and the displacement of the gas by

By James A. Barr, R. B. Burt, I. S. Tillotson

DISCUSSION Howard Howie (Knoxville, Term.)—The authors are to be congratulated on the presentation of a paper containing so much valuable information on the pipeline transportation of phosphate, as there is very little literature on the subject. The writer is especially interested in the paper, as he conceived the arrangement of the Akin and Godwin plants and was in charge of the design work and the engineering incident to their construction. The Akin and other phosphate deposits in the Tennessee phosphate area lie on beds of limestone that are very irregular. The limestone beds, after the phosphate matrix has been removed, are similar in appearance to land severely eroded by the action of water and denuded of top soil. Depressions in the limestone, called cutters, are irregular in depth with vertical or overhanging walls, having the general appearance of cracks in dried clay. They change abruptly in direction, width, and depth, and vary on the Akin tract from 1 to 25 ft in depth and from 1 to 50 ft in width. Pinnacles of limestone commonly occur in the cutters which appear, when exposed, like small clifflike islands in a river. Limestone floats also occur. The phosphate matrix fills the cutters and covers the uncuttered areas, the thickness of the cover varying continually and sometimes rather abruptly. It occurs generally as stratifications of phosphate rock and clay of varying thickness. The phosphate rock in the matrix varies in hardness and in percents of silica, lime, iron oxides, and fluorine, and the clay varies in toughness. In some places the deposit consists of narrow strata of rock almost devoid of clay streaks. In other nearby locations the clay will predominate. When it is excavated, the phosphate rock breaks into thin irregular lumps, locally known as plate rock. Limestone lumps are also excavated with the matrix. Akin plate rock is generally much softer than that occurring in other deposits in the area. Because of the above described physical and chemical variations of the excavated material, the resultant slurry varies in size distribution, specific gravity, and percent of slimes. When the rock is soft or when there is an increase of clay, the slime fraction is greatly increased as it passes through pumps and pipelines, resulting in reduced pipe friction. It is obvious that the longer the pipeline the greater the reduction of coarse fractions into fines, causing a decrease in pipe friction that cannot be accurately evaluated. The matrix is mined with a dragline that drops it into a hopper with a grid composed of 9-in. parallel bar spacings located above the hammer mill. The matrix on, and passing through the grid, is subject to the action of powerful sprays which wash it down to the hammer mill, together with any limestone lumps that are not removed before passing through the grid. The hammer mill reduces the feed to lumps of plate rock and clay, most of which will pass through the 8-in. pump suction. The mixture discharges into a pool containing the pump suction pipe. Water from a hydraulic nozzle moves the mixture to the pump suction intake. The pump, driven by a variable speed motor, is the same size as the pumps mentioned on p. 279. Provision is made to remove any lumps that lodge in a bend in the suction pipe in a manner similar to that used in the Florida phosphate fields. The hammer mill and pump units are mounted on wide steel skids so that they can be moved as the mining operation progresses. The discharge from the pump flows through an abrasion-resistant spiral welded steel pipe 8 1/4 in. actual inside diam, 8 in. nominal diam, for a maximum distance of 2200 ft, which is the limiting pumping distance for one pump. This pipeline, referred to hereafter as pipeline A, discharges into a ball mill without balls, which in turn discharges into a rotary screen attached to it that separates the slurried matrix into 11/4-in. oversize and undersize fractions. The oversize is returned to the mill for further reduction; the undersize is pumped to a Dorrco washer and then flows into a hydroseparator 160 ft in diam. In spite of the size reduction in the hammer mill and the blunging and washing of the slurry in its passage through the pump, pipeline, mill, and washer, the discharge to the hydroseparator frequently contains mud balls almost perfectly spherical. Sometimes the discharge from the 16,000-ft pipeline at Godwin contains mud balls the size of bird shot and smaller. This pipeline will be referred to subsequently as line B. Liquid caustic is added to the slurry at the Akin plant before its passage through the hydro-separator, which decreases the size of particles in the overflow by dispersion. In passing through pumps 1, 2, and 3 and pipeline B, the slime fraction in the underflow is increased by abrasion and blunging and also by continuing dispersive action of the caustic. The matrix for use in the experimental tests referred to on p. 279 was obtained from three small surface openings on the Akin tract that were made previous to the purchase of the tract by the Authority. Matrix used in the 2 and 4-in. experimental pipeline tests was taken from the three openings and proportioned to obtain a sufficient quantity that would be fairly representative of the average in the Akin deposits. Prospecting samples of matrix had been obtained from drill holes which showed no small variation in physical and chemical properties. Some of the physical variation is evident from the size distribution of solids in samples taken during the tests covering line B flows so thoroughly made by the Authority under the direction of Mr. Burt, see Table V, p. 280. Hydraulic gradients for a pipe of 8-in. diam were derived from the 2 and 4-in. pipeline tests using the so-called representative matrix as above described, and plotted on the profile of pipeline B. Gradients of other materials in slurry form passing through pipelines that bore some similiarity to the Akin matrix slurry were also plotted. After a study had been made of the hydraulic gradients plotted on the profile and the varying slurry flow that would probably occur during actual operation, three pumps were ordered, referred to as No. 1, 2, and 3 on p. 279. No. 1 and 2 pumps were installed and the third kept in reserve should the operation of 1 and 2 pumps prove satisfactory, since installation of the third pump would require an attendant, as well as the laying of 5400 ft of pipe to supply it with seal-water from the Akin plant. Subsequently, it was found desirable to install the third pump to maintain capacity when the slime fraction was low and the coarse fractions were large. Reference to Fig. 6 will show that the flow in B line goes upgrade in three locations. At the outlet at Godwin, the slurry flows between two 45" bends for an approximate distance of 18 ft to rise above the ground a sufficient height to discharge into a launder feeding the first classifier. This condition requires extra energy, which is taken care of by keeping the hydraulic gradient a sufficient distance above the high points. Although there are rather heavy upgrades in the line, the choking condition that might occur at the

Jan 1, 1953

By J. A. Barr, R. B. Burt, I. S. Tillotson

DISCUSSION Howard Howie (Knoxville, Term.)—The authors are to be congratulated on the presentation of a paper containing so much valuable information on the pipeline transportation of phosphate, as there is very little literature on the subject. The writer is especially interested in the paper, as he conceived the arrangement of the Akin and Godwin plants and was in charge of the design work and the engineering incident to their construction. The Akin and other phosphate deposits in the Tennessee phosphate area lie on beds of limestone that are very irregular. The limestone beds, after the phosphate matrix has been removed, are similar in appearance to land severely eroded by the action of water and denuded of top soil. Depressions in the limestone, called cutters, are irregular in depth with vertical or overhanging walls, having the general appearance of cracks in dried clay. They change abruptly in direction, width, and depth, and vary on the Akin tract from 1 to 25 ft in depth and from 1 to 50 ft in width. Pinnacles of limestone commonly occur in the cutters which appear, when exposed, like small clifflike islands in a river. Limestone floats also occur. The phosphate matrix fills the cutters and covers the uncuttered areas, the thickness of the cover varying continually and sometimes rather abruptly. It occurs generally as stratifications of phosphate rock and clay of varying thickness. The phosphate rock in the matrix varies in hardness and in percents of silica, lime, iron oxides, and fluorine, and the clay varies in toughness. In some places the deposit consists of narrow strata of rock almost devoid of clay streaks. In other nearby locations the clay will predominate. When it is excavated, the phosphate rock breaks into thin irregular lumps, locally known as plate rock. Limestone lumps are also excavated with the matrix. Akin plate rock is generally much softer than that occurring in other deposits in the area. Because of the above described physical and chemical variations of the excavated material, the resultant slurry varies in size distribution, specific gravity, and percent of slimes. When the rock is soft or when there is an increase of clay, the slime fraction is greatly increased as it passes through pumps and pipelines, resulting in reduced pipe friction. It is obvious that the longer the pipeline the greater the reduction of coarse fractions into fines, causing a decrease in pipe friction that cannot be accurately evaluated. The matrix is mined with a dragline that drops it into a hopper with a grid composed of 9-in. parallel bar spacings located above the hammer mill. The matrix on, and passing through the grid, is subject to the action of powerful sprays which wash it down to the hammer mill, together with any limestone lumps that are not removed before passing through the grid. The hammer mill reduces the feed to lumps of plate rock and clay, most of which will pass through the 8-in. pump suction. The mixture discharges into a pool containing the pump suction pipe. Water from a hydraulic nozzle moves the mixture to the pump suction intake. The pump, driven by a variable speed motor, is the same size as the pumps mentioned on p. 279. Provision is made to remove any lumps that lodge in a bend in the suction pipe in a manner similar to that used in the Florida phosphate fields. The hammer mill and pump units are mounted on wide steel skids so that they can be moved as the mining operation progresses. The discharge from the pump flows through an abrasion-resistant spiral welded steel pipe 81/4 in. actual inside diam, 8 in. nominal diam, for a maximum distance of 2200 ft, which is the limiting pumping distance for one pump. This pipeline, referred to hereafter as pipeline A, discharges into a ball mill without balls, which in turn discharges into a rotary screen attached to it that separates the slurried matrix into 11/4-in. oversize and undersize fractions. The oversize is returned to the mill for further reduction; the undersize is pumped to a Dorrco washer and then flows into a hydroseparator 160 ft in diam. In spite of the size reduction in the hammer mill and the blunging and washing of the slurry in its passage through the pump, pipeline, mill, and washer, the discharge to the hydroseparator frequently contains mud balls almost perfectly spherical. Sometimes the discharge from the 16,000-ft pipeline at Godwin contains mud balls the size of bird shot and smaller. This pipeline will be referred to subsequently as line B. Liquid caustic is added to the slurry at the Akin plant before its passage through the hydro-separator, which decreases the size of particles in the overflow by dispersion. In passing through pumps 1, 2, and 3 and pipeline B, the slime fraction in the underflow is increased by abrasion and blunging and also by continuing dispersive action of the caustic. The matrix for use in the experimental tests referred to on p. 279 was obtained from three small surface openings on the Akin tract that were made previous to the purchase of the tract by the Authority. Matrix used in the 2 and 4-in. experimental pipeline tests was taken from the three openings and proportioned to obtain a sufficient quantity that would be fairly representative of the average in the Akin deposits. Prospecting samples of matrix had been obtained from drill holes which showed no small variation in physical and chemical properties. Some of the physical variation is evident from the size distribution of solids in samples taken during the tests covering line B flows so thoroughly made by the Authority und'er the direction of Mr. Burt, see Table V, p. 280. Hydraulic gradients for a pipe of 8-in. diam were derived from the 2 and 4-in. pipeline tests using the so-called representative matrix as above described, and plotted on the profile of pipeline B. Gradients of other materials in slurry form passing through pipelines that bore some similiarity to the Akin matrix slurry were also plotted. After a study had been made of the hydraulic gradients plotted on the profile and the varying slurry flow that would probably occur during actual operation, three pumps were ordered, referred to as No. 1, 2, and 3 on p. 279. No. 1 and 2 pumps were installed and the third kept in reserve should the operation of 1 and 2 pumps prove satisfactory, since installation of the third pump would require an attendant, as well as the laying of 5400 ft of pipe to supply it with seal-water from the Akin plant. Subsequently, it was found desirable to install the third pump to maintain capacity when the slime fraction was low and the coarse fractions were large. Reference to Fig. 6 will show that the flow in B line goes upgrade in three locations. At the outlet at Godwin, the slurry flows between two 45" bends for an approximate distance of 18 ft to rise above the ground a sufficient height to discharge into a launder feeding the first classifier. This condition requires extra energy, which is taken care of by keeping the hydraulic gradient a sufficient distance above the high points. Although there are rather heavy upgrades in the line, the choking condition that might occur at the

Jan 1, 1953

By R. B. Burt, J. A. Barr, I. S. Tillotson

DISCUSSION Howard Howie (Knoxville, Term.)—The authors are to be congratulated on the presentation of a paper containing so much valuable information on the pipeline transportation of phosphate, as there is very little literature on the subject. The writer is especially interested in the paper, as he conceived the arrangement of the Akin and Godwin plants and was in charge of the design work and the engineering incident to their construction. The Akin and other phosphate deposits in the Tennessee phosphate area lie on beds of limestone that are very irregular. The limestone beds, after the phosphate matrix has been removed, are similar in appearance to land severely eroded by the action of water and denuded of top soil. Depressions in the limestone, called cutters, are irregular in depth with vertical or overhanging walls, having the general appearance of cracks in dried clay. They change abruptly in direction, width, and depth, and vary on the Akin tract from 1 to 25 ft in depth and from 1 to 50 ft in width. Pinnacles of limestone commonly occur in the cutters which appear, when exposed, like small clifflike islands in a river. Limestone floats also occur. The phosphate matrix fills the cutters and covers the uncuttered areas, the thickness of the cover varying continually and sometimes rather abruptly. It occurs generally as stratifications of phosphate rock and clay of varying thickness. The phosphate rock in the matrix varies in hardness and in percents of silica, lime, iron oxides, and fluorine, and the clay varies in toughness. In some places the deposit consists of narrow strata of rock almost devoid of clay streaks. In other nearby locations the clay will predominate. When it is excavated, the phosphate rock breaks into thin irregular lumps, locally known as plate rock. Limestone lumps are also excavated with the matrix. Akin plate rock is generally much softer than that occurring in other deposits in the area. Because of the above described physical and chemical variations of the excavated material, the resultant slurry varies in size distribution, specific gravity, and percent of slimes. When the rock is soft or when there is an increase of clay, the slime fraction is greatly increased as it passes through pumps and pipelines, resulting in reduced pipe friction. It is obvious that the longer the pipeline the greater the reduction of coarse fractions into fines, causing a decrease in pipe friction that cannot be accurately evaluated. The matrix is mined with a dragline that drops it into a hopper with a grid composed of 9-in. parallel bar spacings located above the hammer mill. The matrix on, and passing through the grid, is subject to the action of powerful sprays which wash it down to the hammer mill, together with any limestone lumps that are not removed before passing through the grid. The hammer mill reduces the feed to lumps of plate rock and clay, most of which will pass through the 8-in. pump suction. The mixture discharges into a pool containing the pump suction pipe. Water from a hydraulic nozzle moves the mixture to the pump suction intake. The pump, driven by a variable speed motor, is the same size as the pumps mentioned on p. 279. Provision is made to remove any lumps that lodge in a bend in the suction pipe in a manner similar to that used in the Florida phosphate fields. The hammer mill and pump units are mounted on wide steel skids so that they can be moved as the mining operation progresses. The discharge from the pump flows through an abrasion-resistant spiral welded steel pipe 81/4 in. actual inside diam, 8 in. nominal diam, for a maximum distance of 2200 ft, which is the limiting pumping distance for one pump. This pipeline, referred to hereafter as pipeline A, discharges into a ball mill without balls, which in turn discharges into a rotary screen attached to it that separates the slurried matrix into 11/4-in. oversize and undersize fractions. The oversize is returned to the mill for further reduction; the undersize is pumped to a Dorrco washer and then flows into a hydroseparator 160 ft in diam. In spite of the size reduction in the hammer mill and the blunging and washing of the slurry in its passage through the pump, pipeline, mill, and washer, the discharge to the hydroseparator frequently contains mud balls almost perfectly spherical. Sometimes the discharge from the 16,000-ft pipeline at Godwin contains mud balls the size of bird shot and smaller. This pipeline will be referred to subsequently as line B. Liquid caustic is added to the slurry at the Akin plant before its passage through the hydro-separator, which decreases the size of particles in the overflow by dispersion. In passing through pumps 1, 2, and 3 and pipeline B, the slime fraction in the underflow is increased by abrasion and blunging and also by continuing dispersive action of the caustic. The matrix for use in the experimental tests referred to on p. 279 was obtained from three small surface openings on the Akin tract that were made previous to the purchase of the tract by the Authority. Matrix used in the 2 and 4-in. experimental pipeline tests was taken from the three openings and proportioned to obtain a sufficient quantity that would be fairly representative of the average in the Akin deposits. Prospecting samples of matrix had been obtained from drill holes which showed no small variation in physical and chemical properties. Some of the physical variation is evident from the size distribution of solids in samples taken during the tests covering line B flows so thoroughly made by the Authority und'er the direction of Mr. Burt, see Table V, p. 280. Hydraulic gradients for a pipe of 8-in. diam were derived from the 2 and 4-in. pipeline tests using the so-called representative matrix as above described, and plotted on the profile of pipeline B. Gradients of other materials in slurry form passing through pipelines that bore some similiarity to the Akin matrix slurry were also plotted. After a study had been made of the hydraulic gradients plotted on the profile and the varying slurry flow that would probably occur during actual operation, three pumps were ordered, referred to as No. 1, 2, and 3 on p. 279. No. 1 and 2 pumps were installed and the third kept in reserve should the operation of 1 and 2 pumps prove satisfactory, since installation of the third pump would require an attendant, as well as the laying of 5400 ft of pipe to supply it with seal-water from the Akin plant. Subsequently, it was found desirable to install the third pump to maintain capacity when the slime fraction was low and the coarse fractions were large. Reference to Fig. 6 will show that the flow in B line goes upgrade in three locations. At the outlet at Godwin, the slurry flows between two 45" bends for an approximate distance of 18 ft to rise above the ground a sufficient height to discharge into a launder feeding the first classifier. This condition requires extra energy, which is taken care of by keeping the hydraulic gradient a sufficient distance above the high points. Although there are rather heavy upgrades in the line, the choking condition that might occur at the

Jan 1, 1953

By R. B. Burt, James A. Barr, I. S. Tillotson

DISCUSSION Howard Howie (Knoxville, Term.)—The authors are to be congratulated on the presentation of a paper containing so much valuable information on the pipeline transportation of phosphate, as there is very little literature on the subject. The writer is especially interested in the paper, as he conceived the arrangement of the Akin and Godwin plants and was in charge of the design work and the engineering incident to their construction. The Akin and other phosphate deposits in the Tennessee phosphate area lie on beds of limestone that are very irregular. The limestone beds, after the phosphate matrix has been removed, are similar in appearance to land severely eroded by the action of water and denuded of top soil. Depressions in the limestone, called cutters, are irregular in depth with vertical or overhanging walls, having the general appearance of cracks in dried clay. They change abruptly in direction, width, and depth, and vary on the Akin tract from 1 to 25 ft in depth and from 1 to 50 ft in width. Pinnacles of limestone commonly occur in the cutters which appear, when exposed, like small clifflike islands in a river. Limestone floats also occur. The phosphate matrix fills the cutters and covers the uncuttered areas, the thickness of the cover varying continually and sometimes rather abruptly. It occurs generally as stratifications of phosphate rock and clay of varying thickness. The phosphate rock in the matrix varies in hardness and in percents of silica, lime, iron oxides, and fluorine, and the clay varies in toughness. In some places the deposit consists of narrow strata of rock almost devoid of clay streaks. In other nearby locations the clay will predominate. When it is excavated, the phosphate rock breaks into thin irregular lumps, locally known as plate rock. Limestone lumps are also excavated with the matrix. Akin plate rock is generally much softer than that occurring in other deposits in the area. Because of the above described physical and chemical variations of the excavated material, the resultant slurry varies in size distribution, specific gravity, and percent of slimes. When the rock is soft or when there is an increase of clay, the slime fraction is greatly increased as it passes through pumps and pipelines, resulting in reduced pipe friction. It is obvious that the longer the pipeline the greater the reduction of coarse fractions into fines, causing a decrease in pipe friction that cannot be accurately evaluated. The matrix is mined with a dragline that drops it into a hopper with a grid composed of 9-in. parallel bar spacings located above the hammer mill. The matrix on, and passing through the grid, is subject to the action of powerful sprays which wash it down to the hammer mill, together with any limestone lumps that are not removed before passing through the grid. The hammer mill reduces the feed to lumps of plate rock and clay, most of which will pass through the 8-in. pump suction. The mixture discharges into a pool containing the pump suction pipe. Water from a hydraulic nozzle moves the mixture to the pump suction intake. The pump, driven by a variable speed motor, is the same size as the pumps mentioned on p. 279. Provision is made to remove any lumps that lodge in a bend in the suction pipe in a manner similar to that used in the Florida phosphate fields. The hammer mill and pump units are mounted on wide steel skids so that they can be moved as the mining operation progresses. The discharge from the pump flows through an abrasion-resistant spiral welded steel pipe 8 1/4 in. actual inside diam, 8 in. nominal diam, for a maximum distance of 2200 ft, which is the limiting pumping distance for one pump. This pipeline, referred to hereafter as pipeline A, discharges into a ball mill without balls, which in turn discharges into a rotary screen attached to it that separates the slurried matrix into 11/4-in. oversize and undersize fractions. The oversize is returned to the mill for further reduction; the undersize is pumped to a Dorrco washer and then flows into a hydroseparator 160 ft in diam. In spite of the size reduction in the hammer mill and the blunging and washing of the slurry in its passage through the pump, pipeline, mill, and washer, the discharge to the hydroseparator frequently contains mud balls almost perfectly spherical. Sometimes the discharge from the 16,000-ft pipeline at Godwin contains mud balls the size of bird shot and smaller. This pipeline will be referred to subsequently as line B. Liquid caustic is added to the slurry at the Akin plant before its passage through the hydro-separator, which decreases the size of particles in the overflow by dispersion. In passing through pumps 1, 2, and 3 and pipeline B, the slime fraction in the underflow is increased by abrasion and blunging and also by continuing dispersive action of the caustic. The matrix for use in the experimental tests referred to on p. 279 was obtained from three small surface openings on the Akin tract that were made previous to the purchase of the tract by the Authority. Matrix used in the 2 and 4-in. experimental pipeline tests was taken from the three openings and proportioned to obtain a sufficient quantity that would be fairly representative of the average in the Akin deposits. Prospecting samples of matrix had been obtained from drill holes which showed no small variation in physical and chemical properties. Some of the physical variation is evident from the size distribution of solids in samples taken during the tests covering line B flows so thoroughly made by the Authority under the direction of Mr. Burt, see Table V, p. 280. Hydraulic gradients for a pipe of 8-in. diam were derived from the 2 and 4-in. pipeline tests using the so-called representative matrix as above described, and plotted on the profile of pipeline B. Gradients of other materials in slurry form passing through pipelines that bore some similiarity to the Akin matrix slurry were also plotted. After a study had been made of the hydraulic gradients plotted on the profile and the varying slurry flow that would probably occur during actual operation, three pumps were ordered, referred to as No. 1, 2, and 3 on p. 279. No. 1 and 2 pumps were installed and the third kept in reserve should the operation of 1 and 2 pumps prove satisfactory, since installation of the third pump would require an attendant, as well as the laying of 5400 ft of pipe to supply it with seal-water from the Akin plant. Subsequently, it was found desirable to install the third pump to maintain capacity when the slime fraction was low and the coarse fractions were large. Reference to Fig. 6 will show that the flow in B line goes upgrade in three locations. At the outlet at Godwin, the slurry flows between two 45" bends for an approximate distance of 18 ft to rise above the ground a sufficient height to discharge into a launder feeding the first classifier. This condition requires extra energy, which is taken care of by keeping the hydraulic gradient a sufficient distance above the high points. Although there are rather heavy upgrades in the line, the choking condition that might occur at the

Jan 1, 1953

By T. L. Joseph

Blast furnaces are most efficient thermally when the CO2 in the top gas is highest. Oxygen introduced in the air blast is converted to CO in the combustion zones. The extent to which CO, generated in front of the tuyeres, is converted later to CO2 depends upon the ratio of ore to coke in the charge and the degree to which CO2, formed by reduction of iron oxides with CO, reverts to CO by the secondary reaction C + CO2 = 2CO. About 300 to 400 lb. of carbon' per ton of pig iron is normally involved in the solution-loss reaction or direct reduction of FeO with carbon, which produces the same over-all results; that is, lower CO2 in the top gas. Rich2 has recently reported a reduction in fuel consumption at slower rates of blowing on two furnaces in spite of higher heat losses per ton of iron. Lower fuel consumption at slow operating rates was due to more complete reduction of the ore that resulted in higher CO2 in the top gas and consequently more efficient use of carbon. Kinney3 has reported substantial savings in fuel as a result of crushing and sizing the ore charge. Improvements in practice brought about by sintering magnetite concentrates, flue dust and fine ores have been due to the establishment of conditions favoring more complete reduction of the ore in the upper part of the furnace. The extent to which oxides and fluctuations in composition in pig iron affect the quality of steel and finished product needs further study. There is evidence that more thorough preheating and reduction of the ore in the upper part of the furnace tend to give a better quality of iron. Bogatzkii4 found from laboratory work that the amount of oxygen entering electrolytic iron, melted under various slags, was directly proportional to the concentration of free FeO in the slag and inversely proportional to the basicity of the slag. Herty and Gaines5 concluded that the silicate content of open-hearth steel before deoxidation is related to the concentration of silica in the pig-iron charge, indicating that most of the persistent inclusions are silica from the iron. They also found that

Jan 1, 1936

By T. L. Joseph

Blast furnaces are most efficient thermally when the CO2 in the top gas is highest. Oxygen introduced in the air blast is converted to CO in the combustion zones. The extent to which CO, generated in front of the tuyeres, is converted later to CO2 depends upon the ratio of ore to coke in the charge and the degree to which CO2, formed by reduction of iron oxides with CO, reverts to CO by the secondary reaction C + CO2 = 2CO. About 300 to 400 lb. of carbon' per ton of pig iron is normally involved in the solution-loss reaction or direct reduction of FeO with carbon, which produces the same over-all results; that is, lower CO2 in the top gas. Rich2 has recently reported a reduction in fuel consumption at slower rates of blowing on two furnaces in spite of higher heat losses per ton of iron. Lower fuel consumption at slow operating rates was due to more complete reduction of the ore that resulted in higher CO2 in the top gas and consequently more efficient use of carbon. Kinney3 has reported substantial savings in fuel as a result of crushing and sizing the ore charge. Improvements in practice brought about by sintering magnetite concentrates, flue dust and fine ores have been due to the establishment of conditions favoring more complete reduction of the ore in the upper part of the furnace. The extent to which oxides and fluctuations in composition in pig iron affect the quality of steel and finished product needs further study. There is evidence that more thorough preheating and reduction of the ore in the upper part of the furnace tend to give a better quality of iron. Bogatzkii4 found from laboratory work that the amount of oxygen entering electrolytic iron, melted under various slags, was directly proportional to the concentration of free FeO in the slag and inversely proportional to the basicity of the slag. Herty and Gaines5 concluded that the silicate content of open-hearth steel before deoxidation is related to the concentration of silica in the pig-iron charge, indicating that most of the persistent inclusions are silica from the iron. They also found that

Jan 1, 1936

By Thomas Cox

THIS paper makes no claim to any new idea; it simply reviews the Treasury Department Regulations pertaining to the practical application of depreciation and depletion and other allowances governing taxation of oil and gas properties. Other methods may be existent, but as they may not conform to the legal status they must be discarded. In complying with the present laws governing the, industry with regard to taxation and the allowable deductions therefrom, the following considerations are essential: Depletion, depreciation, amortization, other allowances, and items not deductible. It is definitely understood that depletion is the loss or exhaustion sustained in the continuous operating of an oil and gas property, and that each unit of oil or gas taken out reduces the value of the property until its final exhaustion. Depletion applies only to the natural deposits of oil and gas due to their-removal in the course of exploitation of any property. Depreciation is defined to cover the waste of assets due to exhaustion, wear and tear, and obsolescence of the physical property, and is separate and distinct from depletion; its allowance is that amount which should be set aside for the taxable year in such sums as for the useful life of ,the property will suffice to repay its original cost-or its value as of Mar: 1, 1913, if acquired by the taxpayer before that date-less the salvage value at the end of such useful life. Amortization is allowed for such facilities as were built or acquired on or after Apr. 6, 1917, for the production of articles contributing to the prosecution of the war and, in the case of vessels, those built and acquired after that date. The amount to be extinguished, in general, is the excess of the unextinguished or unrecovered cost of the property over its maximum value under stable .post-war conditions.

Jan 9, 1920

By J. R. Kyte, C. C. Mattax

Previous workers have developed differential equations to describe oil displacement by water imbibition, but have not explicitly defined the relationship between recovery behavior for a single reservoir matrix block and its size. In the present work, imbibition theory is extended to show that the time required to recover a given fraction of the oil from a matrix block is proportional to the square of the distance between fractures. Using this relationship, recovery behavior for a large reservoir matrix block is predicted from an imbibition test on a small reservoir core sample. The prediction is then extended to analyze recovery behavior for fractured- matrix, water- drive reservoirs in which imbibition is the dominant oil-producing mechanism. Experimental data are presented to support the basic imbibition theory relating matrix block size, fluid viscosity level and permeability to recovery behavior. INTRODUCTION Imbibition has long been recognized as an important factor in recovering oil from water-wet, fractured-matrix reservoirs subjected to water flood or water drive. l-3 Recently, two approaches have been published which might be used to predict imbibition oil-recovery behavior for reservoir-sized matrix blocks. Graham and Richardson4 used a synthetic model to scale a single element of a fractured-matrix reservoir. lair,' on the other hand, used numerical techniques to solve the differential equations describing imbibition in linear and radial systems. This latter method requires auxiliary experimental data in the form of capillary pressure and relative permeability functions. These two approaches, i.e., synthetic models and numerical techniques, have been used to study a variety of reservoir fluid-flow problems. One pur- pose of this work is to present, with experimental verification, a third method for predicting imbibition oil recovery for large reservoir matrix blocks. This method uses scaled imbibition tests on small reservoir core samples to predict field performance. The imbibition tests are easier to perform than the capillary pressure and relative permeability tests required to apply the numerical method. Furthermore, when suitably preserved reservoir-rock samples are used, the properties of the laboratory system are the same as those of the field. This offers an important advantage over the use of synthetic models because there is usually some question as to how accurately reservoir-rock properties can be duplicated in such models. Based on the recovery behavior for a unit matrix block, an analysis is presented to predict oil recovery for a fractured, water-drive reservoir made up of many such unit blocks. In the analysis, it is assumed that the flow resistance and the volume of the reservoir fracture system are negligible compared with that of the porous matrix. These assumptions are generally consistent with observed characteristics of many fractured-matrix reservoirs, and have been employed in previous studies.2,3,6-8 further assumed that the effect of gravity on flow in the matrix blocks is negligible. On first thought, the latter assumption might appear to seriously limit application of the method. However, in a fractured reservoir, the effect of gravity on flow in a matrix block will be restricted by the height of the block. Furthermore, matrix permeabilities are often very low (10 md or less) in such reservoirs. This means that capillary or imbibition forces will be large, thus tending to minimize the relative importance of gravity. For these reasons, imbibition should be the dominant oil-recovery mechanism in many fractured-matrix, water-drive reservoirs. The predictive method presented in this report is applicable to such reservoirs. SCALING IMBIBITION THEORY The "scaling laws" applicable to the operation.

By W. L. Saunders

IMPORTANCE OF ROCK DRILLING. IT has been estimated that the value of the mineral products of the United States is about $2,000,000,000 a year; that about $25,000,000 is expended. annually for explosives and that about double this sum is paid in wages where blasting is done. The value of the mineral products does not adequately express the importance of the industry involved in the excavation of rock and ore because of the enormous sums of money expended in tunnel driving, in quarries, and in open-cut excavation generally. We know that the Catskill Aqueduct in the neighborhood of New York, which is now nearing completion, has cost some $165,000,000 and that about one-third of this may be rated as rock excavation. These illustrations are given in order to call attention to the great importance of an industry the extension and development of which in our industrial life depend so much upon the economics of rock drilling. Reference has been made to the new Catskill Aqueduct. There are three aqueducts leading into New York, each built at periods separated by some 20 years of time. 'The first one, known as the Old Aqueduct, conveys the waters of the Croton river to New York City in a manner which reminds one of the old Roman aqueducts, the ruins of which are still in evidence. The engineers who laid out these old conduits sought to direct their lines around the hills and into the valleys, at all times avoiding the rock. When it was necessary to cross a river or a deep ravine, a bridge or causeway was constructed. High Bridge, over the Harlem river, is an arched masonry viaduct differing in no essential features from the aqueducts of the Romans. When the second Croton Aqueduct was built, about the year 1890, the art of drilling rock had been so far perfected, and the use of explosives, through the invention of dynamite, had become ,so general, that this waterway was planned and executed on straight lines, following rather than avoiding the rock. The second Croton Aqueduct is a tunnel through rock, about 32 miles in length; material gneiss, almost as hard as granite. Its construction was made practicable by sinking

Jan 9, 1913