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By Harry H. Power

WORK of the Committee on Education of the Petroleum Division has been under way for approximately-one year. Although some progress has been made, further activities of the Committee are necessary in order to discuss mutual problems more thoroughly by a unified group interested primarily in this field of specialization.

Jan 1, 1944

H. H. Hill.—I believe that as petroleum engineers you are all more or less interested in geophysical prospecting. A large number of the papers that have been written on that subject are too detailed or too much involved to be of much value to a person who is not familiar with the subject, so I suggested to Mr. Fohs that he might bring us something that we could all understand. As I take it, we are interested in learning something about the different methods, the places where they have been used, their limitations and in general whether they have given satisfaction in locating oil deposits. F. J. Fohs, New York, N. Y.—I will briefly summarize some of the results as I Bee them from my practical contacts with them and my discussion of the subject with some of the more important rnen both in this country and Europe. Geophysical Methods 1. Seismographs: A. 1. Sonic refracting seismographs of Karcher, McCullom and Reiber. For rapid reconnaissance and also for detail—perhaps, the best type of instrument. 2. Mechanical refracting seismographs of the Weichert-Mintrop type. B. I. Sonic seismographs using reflected sound from contacts of sufficiently unlike beds where latter are thick enough, being used for detail of both salt domes and ordinary structures where a good reflecting key bed occurs. 2. Torsion Balances: Made in three sizes with greater portability and loss of but 20 per cent. in medium size and loss of 40 per cent. efficiency in smallest size. A. Used to best advantage in detailing salt domes, in noting anomalies of deep-seated structures of the Edgerly, La., type (but not always certain here and dependent on interpretation which involves both experience and the human equation to a large degree). R. Used to advantage in mapping faults where a lime or other denser bed occurs upthrown, and the topographic irregularities are not too involved. C. Of use where buried granite plugs and buried-hill structures occur as in the Western Texas fields. D. Believed of little use for other types of structure. 3. Magnetometers or Variometers: Now built horizontal and vertical with declinometer combined in one instrument. A. Practical in mapping granite or basic igneous rock plugs and intrusions, or of detritus therefrom. Adams has recently demonstrated definite results in mapping the well known Panhandle arch.

Jan 1, 1928

By Harry H. Power

INDUSTRY has the right to expect the petroleum engineering schools to supply more than the minimum technical qualifications necessary to obtain or discharge the responsibilities of a particular job. The basic training, social and economic orientation, should go far beyond these minimum requirements. Petroleum engineering students should also be well grounded in the history of the oil business so that they may understand the industry's progress since the advent of the Drake well. Furthermore, according to P. H. Bohart, the schools "have a definite duty to help the students form a workable philosophy of life, which includes an appreciation of the service of science to mankind, and a belief in the obligation of the individual who enters a profession to exalt himself by continuing his studies and growth so that he may never cease making contributions to the advancement of science and industry."

Jan 1, 1948

By E. DeGolyer

WAR has wrought sharp and sudden changes in the pattern of the oil industry. The most obvious and most striking of such changes have been in the fields of transportation and refining. A third of the world's total oil production formerly started to market, tanker-borne, over the waters of the Gulf and Caribbean. Most of this oil went to our North Atlantic ports, supply points for the world's greatest consuming center. This tremendous traffic, disrupted by the loss of tankers as a result of requisition for military purposes and by the activity of enemy submarines, has had to be substituted largely by such lines of supply as could be improvised without loss of too much time. No single solution for this gigantic problem has been found nor is it likely to be entirely solved for some time to come. It has been solved in part, however, by rearrangement, reversals, and patching up of existing pipe-line systems; by overland transport of crude and products in tank cars on a scale never before attempted; by barging over inland waterways; and through the construction at long last of the "big-inch" line, the first leg of which is just being put into operation as far as Norris City, III. The tank-car traffic alone, reaching a peak of deliveries of 856,710 barrels per day into District 1 during the week ending Sept. 19, 1942, and accomplished at an expense of millions of dollars in extraordinary transportation costs, defrayed by the Defense Supply Corp. and by the mobilization of tank cars from all over the nation, is a story worth the telling but by some of those who directed it.

Jan 1, 1943

By F. G. Clapp

IT is to be hoped that no casual reader will erroneously refer to the latest publication' of the Division of Public Relations of the American Petroleum Institute, as being "Petroleum Facts and Fancies." The facts are so faithfully derived and the figures are so authentically sponsored by the highest sources that no person can read this valuable volume (287 pages and numerous tables) without being convinced that every- thing therein set forth is "the truth and nothing but the truth." Yet, having read the volume from the perspective of the world's petroleum industry and with a critical attitude that comes from years of study of the subjects discussed, I find myself tempted to cogitate and to envisage a few of the fancies that come to mind as a fitting sequel.

Jan 1, 1929

By H. F. Beardmore

PETROLEUM consumption during 1946 broke all previous records and further increases are expected during 1947. U. S. consumption amounted to an average of 5,280,000 bbl a day, of which 4,745,000 bbl was domestic crude oil, with the rest from natural gasoline production and crude oil imports. World consumption during the past year, excluding Russia, is estimated at 7,200,000 bbl daily. Forecasts for 1947 indicate a U. S. consumption of 5,425,000 bbl daily of petroleum products. This is expected to be made up of 4,655,000 bbl of domestic crude oil production, 340,000 bbl of natural gasoline production, 400,000 bbl of crude oil imports, and the rest from stocks. Petroleum's principal use is still as a fuel. The field remains highly competitive, but petroleum has been continuously progressing. Less than fifty years ago, oil supplied only one twentieth as much of the nation's total energy as coal, but today it supplies over half as much.

Jan 1, 1947

By George A. Hill

WE of the oil industry, devoted to freedom of initiative, free competitive enter- prise, and free American institutions, applaud, with one voice, affirmation by the President of the national will and purpose to preserve and to protect, against all aggressors, "our American way of life with our individual and national freedom." We subscribe utterly and completely to this guiding declaration and seek its further definition as applied to the oil industry. Fortunately for all, the policy of the Government, after adequate study and deliberation, has been given precise definition. The National Defense Advisory Commission, with its patriotic, highly qualified, and distinguished personnel, has unanimously agreed to and adopted twelve general principles governing national defense contracts and also fair labor standard requirements. The President of the

Jan 1, 1940

By Joseph B. Umpleby

PROGRESS in the petroleum industry in 1929 has been characterized by outstanding accomplishments in the fields of new discovery of supply, economic control of production, increased efficiency and reduced costs of recovery, and lowered costs and greater flexibility in manufacture. Resources have been developed in an outstanding degree in the Kettleman Hills. California, the Oklahoma City field (which adds a large potential area in central Oklahoma), the discovery of Woodbine sand production in East Texas, and the discovery of Wilcox sand production in west-central Kansas. Engineering technique has progressed both along the lines of development and production, with a net result that costs have been reduced and extraction increased in notable degree, although it is impossible to give a close measure of either. In the field of re- fining crude oils variations to the end of promoting reduced cost and greater flexibility has been more important than genera! acceptance of innovations in practice.

Jan 1, 1930

By C. V. Millikan

THE year 1930 in the petroleum industry has been characterized by the establishment of large potential production of crude oil. This has resulted in closer cooperation between companies by proration and unit operation agreements in order to afford an equitable outlet to all, and to prevent a flood of oil being forced on the market with attendant tremendous material and economic waste. Drilling wells in proved areas and wildcat wells are fewer than in the past several years. Restricted production and low prices have caused greater effort to increase producing and recovery efficiencies. Increased refinery efficiencies have amplified the effect of overproduction. Pipe line departments have been especially busy. New oil lines have reached more refineries by new and shorter routes. Establishing greater gas reserves by new fields has justified new gas lines to industrial centers, and has brought this fuel to thousands of new domestic consumers. Two long gasoline lines, a new venture in pipe lines, are being built to obtain a lower cost of transportation and less loss between the refineries and their distribution centers. The chairmen of the various divisions have discussed the developments of their respective branches more fully in the following reviews.

Jan 1, 1931

By LESTER H. WOOLSEY

IT IS doubtful whether anything new can be said upon this subject and, therefore, it is with considerable hesitation that l prepare this paper. On account of my recent connection with the Department of State as its law- officer, perhaps I will be pardoned if I discuss this subject briefly from the point of view of that branch of the Government. , I cannot, of course, speak for that department, since I have-no connection with it at-present, but it may be helpful if I set down certain* of the factors which in my opinion and from my experience have a bearing on this international problem. With oil-burning ships, motor vessels, motor vehicles, airplanes-all consuming, astonishing quantities of petroleum or petroleum products; with the United States having within its borders only 12 per cent. of the petroleum resources of the world, and consuming about 70 per cent. of the world's output; with the more enterprising nations wide awake to the necessity ; of obtaining and preserving as large a share as possible of the oil resources extant ; the 'problem is peculiarly and in a, very practical sense an international one.

Jan 1, 1921

By AIME AIME

TWO technical sessions, an excursion through the Midwest refinery and a smoker, marked the first day of the meeting of the Petroleum Division at Casper, Wyo., on Aug. 28. Ninety-nine members and guests registered and there was an excellent attendance at 'all functions. The -local committee under the general chairmanship of J. C. Lindsay, general manager of the Western Pipe Line Co., had made every possible arrangement for the convenience and comfort of the visiting members and the Program Committee under E. L. Estabrook, vice-chairman of the Petroleum Division, had brought together a most interesting series of technical, papers. The meeting centered mainly on the various features of the Salt Creek field but there were also contributions from the technology of production in California, the Mid-Continent, and the Texas fields. The opening session was called to order by Mr. Estabrook at the Townsend Hotel on Friday morning. The members and visitors were welcomed appropriately by Ex-Governor B. B. Brooks, president of the "Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Association, who recalled the changes that had taken place as Casper, a frontier cow town, became a thriving oil metropolis. F. Julius Fobs, chairman 'of the Petroleum Division, responded and then took the chair. He introduced H. Foster Bain, Secretary of the Institute, who expressed the regret of those members members who found it impossible to stop over en route to Salt Lake City and his own pleasure at meeting with the Division in the field. Following these introductory ceremonies the technical session began with a "Sketch of the Geological Formations of Central Wyoming," presented by J. G. Bartram of the Midwest staff. It was brief and to the point and contributed greatly to the easy under¬standing of the succeeding papers by those unfamiliar with the region. The talk was illustrated by a large scale columnar section -and a copy of the excellent, geological map of the State recently issued by the U. S. Geological Survey.

Jan 1, 1925

By R. L. Dunsmore

Introduction If one had been called upon to describe petroleum oil refining seventy-five years ago, he could have acceded to the request quite satisfactorily in about fifteen minutes. Fifteen years ago, an hour and a half would have been sufficient to give a general idea of oil refining, and of the equipment used for this purpose. Today, so extensive has been the research into all phases of the refining and manufacturing of petroleum products, and so rapid the strides in improvement in technique and equipment, that I doubt if a week would suffice to give an adequate outline of ail the ramifications of present-day oil refining. I propose to only 'hit the high spots', dealing particularly with the equipment and methods employed at the Imperoyal refinery, which you are to visit. Crude oil, the refiner's raw material, contains essentially only two elements, hydrogen and carbon. These are not present in the free state but are combined in various proportions as 'hydrocarbons'. A given crude oil is not made up of just one hydrocarbon, but of myriads; some solid, others liquid, and still others gaseous at atmospheric temperature and pressure, ail dissolved one in the other. Moreover, the nature and the relative amounts of the several hydrocarbons vary very considerably in crude oils from different sources. That is, a 'crude' from Oklahoma will contain hydrocarbons not present in crude from Mexico, and is different again from the Venezuela crude. Not only this but oil in a certain well in, say, Peru may be differently constituted from that in a well half a mile distant from it.

Jan 1, 1931

By Donald J. MacNeil

THE opinion, based upon geological knowledge, that certain areas within the Province of Nova Scotia might yield commercial quantities of petroleum, is not new. It dates back to at least 1864, when the Pioneer Oil and Salt Company drilled some shallow holes in search of oil near lake Ainslie, Cape Breton. As a matter of fact, several companies were engaged in oil exploratory work near lake Ainslie at about that time; included among them were the Inverness Oil and Mining Company, the Victoria Oil Company, the American Oil Company, and the Cape Breton Oil and Mining Company. Oil exploration by these and other companies was conducted sporadically on Cape Breton island until 1914. In several instances, the depth of the test holes exceeded 1,000 feet; the deepest was carried to 3,260 feet. The Lake Ainslie area was selected because oil seepages were present along certain sections of the lake shore, but the tests that were drilled to tap the oil-bearing zone failed to yield anything of commercial value. Currently, there are three areas in Nova Scotia wherein active exploratory work is being conducted, namely, at Pugsley Siding close to Amherst; at Kennetcook, Hants county; and near Mabou, Inverness county. The Pugsley Siding test is being drilled by the Sun Oil Company, of Philadelphia; the work at Kennetcook is under the direction of the Nova Scotia Oil and Gas Company; two relatively deep holes were drilled by the Lion Oil Refining Company in 1944 near Mabou, and, as a result of the additional geological information derived therefrom, another test probably will be drilled by this Company in the same area. Aside from these activities in the search for petroleum, the oil possibilities of several other sections of the Province are being studied by means of surface geological mapping.

Jan 1, 1945

By J. S. Stewart

THIS paper was prompted by a persistent demand for what information we have that will throw light on the oil and gas possibilities of the Maritime Provinces. The problems involved were made familiar to the writer during three seasons of field work in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The reasons for renewed interest are: (1) In many parts of that region, the surface is underlain by a thick series of unaltered sedimentary rocks. (2) Oil seepages occur, and oil in commercial quantity has been exploited' near Moncton, New Brunswick, for many years. (3) In recent years, a new method of attack has been developed toward the finding of stratigraphic traps. This method is based on a detailed study of the geological history of the region, as revealed in surface outcrops and samples from deep wells. The well samples show the lateral variation of strata, far from any possible surface outcrop of the same beds. Sufficient work has now been done in the Maritime Provinces to reveal the broad features of the geological history and the character and distribution of the various rock formations. Comparatively little deep drilling has been done in this region, but the holes are widely scattered and the samples from them have added much to the information obtained from the numerous outcrops of bed-rock. The following discussion gives a summary of available information that has a bearing on the subject.

Jan 1, 1943

By J. S. Stewart

THE Mackenzie River Valley proper extends from Great Slave lake to the Arctic ocean (see map, Figure 1). From Fort Providence, near Great Slave lake, to Aklavik, near the Arctic coast, the distance by river is 1,000 miles. This will give some idea of the extent of the region. Throughout the length of the river valley, the Precambrian complex rocks are overlain by unaltered sedimentary rocks several thousand feet in thickness. These sediments are dominantly marine and Palaeozoic in age. In places, the Palaeozoic strata are overlain unconformable by Cretaceous an Tertiary sediments. The strata have been folded and, in general, the inclination of the beds to the horizontal is comparatively gentle. Here, then, we have the essentials for potential oil fields covering an area over 1,000 miles in length. This is probably the largest comparatively unexplored potential petroleum region in North America, and surface evidences of oil in the form of seepages occur in several places. Many of these seeps were known to the early explorers, and the first Geological Survey report on the Mackenzie River region, containing the results of field work carried out by R. G. McConnell in 1887-88, noted the petroliferous character of the Devonian strata and the indications of petroleum(l). This region is, however, handicapped by distance from markets and sources of supply of materials; by lack of modern transport facilities; by short season for river transport, and mountainous country separating the valley from the Pacific seaboard; and by the long winter season with weather that makes outdoor work difficult. These factors have tended to discourage the enthusiasm of would-be promoters, and so development in this region has been slow In 1920, a test well drilled about fifty miles northwest of Fort Norman discovered oil in commercial quantity, and three additional wells proved a small area to be productive.

Jan 1, 1944

By D. M. Collingwood

The year 1928 has been marked by scattered but considerable wildcat drilling considering the overproduction prevalent in the oil industry. This wildcatting has resulted in the discovery of oil in one interior salt dome, several small fields producing from serpentine, Taylor marl, and Austin chalk, and two new fields producing from the Edwards limestone, one of which in the Bruner or Salt Flat area of Caldwell County promises to be of major importance if not quite as large as the Luling field. Fig. 1 shows production by fields for 1928, compared in the case of the older fields, with that for 1927. New Production From Salt Domes Boggy Creek Dome This salt dome was discovered in 1927 by core drilling and deep tests recommended on the evidence of surface geology. A large block of acreage controlled by the Humble Oil & Refining Co. covers the dome. Since the discovery of the deep-lying salt plug and oil on the flank of this dome in 1927, development has proceeded slowly. Since most of the acreage is controlled in a large block by one company there has been no intensive competitive drilling. Approximately 8 producers and 16 dry holes have been drilled. Production is from the eastern equivalent of the Woodbine and Eagleford horizons of the Mexia district, and has been found extending in a northeast-southnlest direction across the River Neches on the southeast flank of the dome. One of the best wells, the T. H. Jones No. 2, had an initial production of 90 bbl. per hr., and others have made from 100 bbl. per day to 50 bbl. per hr., but production of the better wells has either been shut in or choked down to less than 2000 bbl. per day. At the end of the year the daily average, production was about 2500 bbl. from 8 wells. Considerable gas pressure is present and one well, the Elliot Clark No. 2, drilled in 1927, was shut in with an estimated wet gas production of over 5,000,000 cubic feet.

Jan 1, 1929

By Gail F. Moulton

The production of petroleum in Illinois in 1928 was approximately 6,500,000 bbl., a decline of about 500,000 bbl. from the previous year and of about 1,500,000 bbl. from 1924. Production increased about 200,000 bbl. in Indiana to slightly less than 1,000,000 bbl. Production for 1929 is estimated at approximately 6,000,000 bbl. for Illinois and 1,000,000 bbl. for Indiana. Illinois Because production from most of the wells in the state has declined to a small daily average and the low prices for crude oil discouraged wildcatting, the number of wells drilled fell below that for any previous year since the development of commercially important production in the state. The Ohio Oil Co. discovered a pool of apparent commercial importance in southwestern Illinois near Dupo, in St. Clair County, and favorable showings of oil were encountered in a well in southeastern Illinois, near Harrisburg in Saline County. New production from the Dupo area is expected to check the rate of decline for the state. Thc following tablel summarizes field developments for 1927 and 1928 (for important detail by counties see notes at foot of table): 1027 1928 Completions........................................... 162 145a Initial production, bbl.................................. 2244 1840b Dry holes........................................,.... 66 58" Gas well completions................................... 13 8d 0111 wells abandoned.................................... 45" a Crawford, 44; Lawrence, 28; Wabash, 40. b Crawford, 501; Lawrence, 403; St. Clair, 165 (4 completions); Wahash, 668. o Crawford, 12; Wabash, 19. d Crawford, 6. b Lawrence, 21; Wabash, 15. The discovery well in the Dupo field in St. Clair County, produced about 150 bbl. per day from the Trenton lime at 660 ft. It is located in a northern extension of the Columbia-Waterloo anticline on which the Waterloo pool was developed in 1921. The best information on the.

Jan 1, 1929

By Dean F. Winchester, C. D. Johnson

The so-called Rocky Mountain region is here made to include Colorado, Idaho, Montana, northern New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, an area of great distances and relatively sparse population. Conditions of distance, transportation and markets have had their retarding influence on devolopment and production but the increase in facilities and markets in recent years has provided additional incentive for more thorough search for new productive areas and the more complete development of the known fields. The low prices of crude during the past year have offset, to a certain extent, the desire for increased production and much of the effort has been directed therefore to outlining new areas rather than to attempts to increase production from known fields and thereby add to the already sufficient supply above ground. During the year just closed the Rocky Mountain region has seen consistent efforts to outline new areas and these efforts have been reasonably successful. In this area a very large part of the land is government property, and by cooperation between the government, the private owner and the company it has been possible to carry on development in a scientific manner, providing for the maximum recovery of valuable products at least cost and at times when prices were best. Due to the fact that in the Rocky Mountain region costs of exploration and development are relatively high because of natural circumstances, it has been the policy of operators to drill test wells only on structures where they controlled a large proportion of the land. Even community lease programs have been effected in certain areas, thus obviating the necessity of offset drilling and the attendant uneconomical and even wasteful production. Oil production in the Rocky Mountain states has shown a slight increase during the year, the average daily production for November being 78,124 bbl. as against an average in January of 76,681 bbl. The total production during the first 11 months of the year, according to the U. S. Burcau of Mines, was as follows:

Jan 1, 1929

Any Australian who knows of the poverty of the early settlers in the first few years following the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip with his "first fleet" at Botany Bay must feel proud of the progress that has been made in the 174 years that have elapsed since that momentous occasionGFor all its attractive appearance as reported by Captain Cook and Sir Joseph Banks, the shores of Botany Bay and of Port Jackson proved most ,inhospitable, and the accessible country surrounding them anything but suitable for sustaining the life of the small settlement. It is well known that during the first 15 or 20 years the hardy colonists and un-tfortunate convicts were close to starvation on several occasions and were only saved by the arrival of supply ships, which were dependent on the vagaries of wind and current, and the hazards of the uncharted seas they had to -navigate-.When Australia was little more than a miserable penal settlement, Great Britain was one of the great-powers of the world, and the U,.S.A. was an independent nation with a growing degree of prosperity that even then gave promise of its mighty awakening to become, as it has, a e.olossus of industry and commerce,-and the. leader in living standards of the world to-day.Australia, from such a shaky, and comparatively recent start, has risen to a position in which its living standards rank very high in comparison with those of most of the nations of Europe and America. Exact com-parisons are hard to fix because of the wide variety of factors involved .but the Institute of Pab?Lic Affairs .(Victoria) places Australia fifthin the world, excelled only by the U.S.A., Canada, Sweden and Switzerland. The next best after Australia are the United Kingdom, West Germany and France.How we achieved such a high standard of living is a vast subject for study but some of the economic aspects of our climb from abject poverty to a position of near affluence can readily be identified.

Jan 1, 1962

By A. A. Lavrinenko

There are discussed the possibilities of using of flotation tailings of platinum-copper-nickel sulfide ores of the Norilsk region for the preparation of backfill mixture instead of a specially produced rock and binder materials to reduce the cost of stowing operations and impact on the environment. It is shown that due to the presence in the tailings of flotation up to 10% of sulfide sulphur, which reduces the strength of the fill materials, and more than 1 g/t PGM it is necessary the preliminary extraction of the sulfides in the product for further processing that give an opportunity to reduce the losses of valuable components. It is shown that by the flotation of the current tailings it is possible to extract 91% of sulfide sulphur, 60% of palladium and 30% platinum in 17% sulfide concentrate containing 2.1 g/t palladium, and to reduce the sulphur content in the tailings up to 0.7%. Due to the easy oxidation of pyrrhotite, there is recommended fractional delivery of the collector with a total consumption 200 g/t. There are discussed results of the flotation study with an additional collector of PGM (sodium diizobutyditiophosfinate), which one show the possibility to increase extraction of platinum on 45%, as well as extraction of sulphur and palladium. For the flotation of sulfides and PGM from the current tailings there is recommended a combination of collectors for primary flotation and only butyl xanthate using in control operations. The possibility of using sludge fraction of the current tailings as a component for the preparation of the combined cementing materials after exposure of sulfides is analyzed. It is shown that the efficiency of the flotation of sulfides from this fraction can be enhanced using selective flocculants. There are discussed the advantages of implementation of completely hydrophobic butadiene-styrene copolymer in comparison with partially hydrophobic polymers. There is discussed an efficiency of the mechanochemical treatment of old tailings in turbo mill and sulphuric acid to remove oxide films from the surface of pyrrhotite before its flotation. Due to the pretreatment operation there is achieved increasing of sulphur extraction and after the introduction to the flotation circuit three control operations there is produced the fill material with sulphur content 2.5%. Keywords: tailings, copper-nickel ore, pyrrhotite, butyl xanthate, sodium diisobutyl dithiophosphinate, selective flocculation, butadiene-styrene copolymer, mechanochemical treatment

Sep 1, 2012