Search Documents

By Guthrie. R. K., H. B. Hill

"INTRODUCTION During the early 1920's world-wide attention was attracted to a group of oil fields (Mexia, Wortham, Currie, Richard, and Powell) later known as Mexia-Powell fault-line fields in Limestone, Freestonne, and Navarro Counties, Tex. Enormous yields of high-gravity oil from the wells in these fields resulted in drilling campaigns that quickly surpassed all previous records for rapid, intensive development of productive areas. The discovery of oil in the Mexia filed in September 1921 was followed quickly by the finding of oil in the Currie field in October. In January 1923 oil was discovered in the Powell field; in February 1924 the Richland field, midway between Currie and Powell fields, was brought in; and in November 1924 oil was discovered in the Wortham field, situated between Mexia and Currie fields. Each of the fileds was developed rapidly: wells were spaced closely and had high initial production; production peaks were reached early in the producing lives of the fields; subsequent decline was rapid, and there was early and rapid encroachment of edge water.In 1927 Bureau of Mines engineers, in their investigations a engineering conditions in oil,completed a preliminary study and published a mimeographed report 4/ on underground conditions in the Wortham field, and in 1928 they reported on production and development problems in the Powell Field. 5/ field."

Aug 1, 1943

By F. E. Griffith, C. H. SEELING

Cardox blasting is used widely in coal mines in the United States . A model of a Cardox blasting device was approved by the Bureau of Mines subject to certain conditions and limitations , and the approval was extended to other models from time to time . Certain special hazards are entailed in the use of Cardox as with explosives . One of these is flying shells . In some blasts , the Cardox shell is violently ejected from the borehole and flies like a projectile , frequently ricocheting off solid objects and striking points considerably off the line of its initial flight . Flying shells have been known to pierce the webs of structural - steel beams , to pass through both sides of allsteel mine cars , to be driven through stout hardwood timbers , to knock out timber sets , to damage loading equipment , and to break or short - circuit power lines . A considerable number of shot - firers and other workers have been struck by flying shells and killed or injured . Accidents from this cause , although not as frequent as other types of mine accidents , are usually serious , closely approximating accidents caused by blasting with ordinary explosives . The increasing number of such accidents prompted a Bureau of Mines field investigation of possible methods of preventing dangerously violent ejections of Cardox devices . This report contains pertinent data collected during the investigation and describes methods tested and discarded as well as the development and proof of an apparently satisfactory method .

Jun 1, 1943

By R. K. Guthrie, H. B. Hill

"INTRODUCTION The Rodessa oil field in Marion and Cass Counties, Tex., Miller County, Ark., and Caddo Parish, La., was discovered in August 1930, when a well drilled to a depth of 5,506 feet in Caddo Parish, close to the surface trace of the Rodessa fault, produced gas in commercial quantities. During the next 5 years 21 gas wells were drilled, and a large reserve of natural gas was developed in the high part of the Rodessa structure underlying the Massive Anhydrite member of the Glen Rose formation.In July 1935 oil was discovered on the flank of the structure when a well drilled to 6,048 feet also in Caddo Parish, was completed as an oil well. The discovery of oil in the Rodessa structure initiated art intensive development program of more than usual interest to geologists, engineers, and operators in the petroleum and natural-gas industry. The complex nature of the different reservoirs, the large volume of ""free"" gas under high pressures and temperatures in the upper part of the reservoirs, and the high gas:oil ratios of some of the wells during the early production of oil presented many problems the solution of which taxed the ingenuity of those responsible for the development and exploitation of the Rodessa field.Early waste of gas and resultant dissipation of reservoir energy led to State intervention, which brought about effective regulation of the quantity of gas blown to the air. Oil production from wells producing more than 2.000 cubic feet of gas per barrel of oil was restricted, and oil allowables generally were based equally upon acreage and upon reservoir pressures. Consequently, oil-production statistics of the field are closely associated with gas:oil ratios and reservoir pressures.The primary object of this report is to present factual and statistical data on well performance in the Rodessa field and to show established trends under certain operating methods and practices in high-pressure gaseous reservoirs, which have been carefully developed and outlined by modern technique and exploited under close engineering supervision.The large size of the Rodessa field, it’s fairly well defined gas caps, and a somewhat definite water table in a part- of the oil- and gas-producing region are of special interest and importance in a study of the fluid and energy relationships in reservoirs. Consequently, the results of much of the authors' work in collecting and compiling date are presented in the form of tables, maps and cross sections to show the relative thicknesses of the different oil-and gas-producing members and their permeability and porosity relationships, and, when possible, the variations in stratigraphy are exhibited in cross sections. Results of a detailed analysis of cores from a number of wells also are presented in tabular and graphic form."

Aug 1, 1943

By B. W. Gandrud, G. T. Bator

The recent introduction of small coal jigs in Alabama to meet the needs of truck - mine operators for cheap and economical cleaning equipment marks another step in Alabama's pioneering record in the mechanical cleaning and preparation of coal . During the past 4 or 5 years a number of these small jigs , with capacity of 5 to 10 tons per hour , have been installed at Alabama truck mines and at a few truck mines in Illinois , Tennessee , and Pennsylvania . Most of the installations have been at mines that specialize in the production of domestic , stoker coal . This report describes three models of small jigs and includes performance data obtained recently on one of the models by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior , in cooperation with the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa , Ala . , for the purpose of comparing it with fullsize jigs on a performance basis . With literally hundreds of truck mines now in operation throughout the country , it has been assumed in preparing this report that there is widespread interest in the availability of small - scale inexpensive preparation equipment for use at such mines in the production of steam and domestic coal and in some instances coal for manufacture of coke . Practically none of the coal from Alabama truck mines is scld to coke - oven plants ; but in some sections of the country truck mines supply a considerable amount of coking coal, and the use of small, inexpensive washers at some of them might be very advantageous during the present war emergency from the standpoint of increasing pig - iron production through improvements in coke quality .

Aug 1, 1943

By John Nagy, Hylton R. Brown, Irving Hartman

"INTRODUCTION The tests described in this publication were planned to provide information on the explosibility of metal-powder dust clouds. This subject has become increasingly important because of the large quantity and variety of metallic powders now used for military and industrial purposes. To provide the increased amounts of metallic powders needed in the manufacture of munitions and to supply the demand created by the rapid growth of powder metallurgy, existing metal-powder plants have been enlarged, production schedules accelerated, and new plants erected. In some cases new methods of producing metal powders have been developed. This increased production and the development of new manufacturing methods have caused an increase in the number of metal-powder fires and explosions, with accompanying heavy loss of life and property. These have emphasized the need for information on methods of providing protection against hazards inherent in the production and handling of powdered metals. This paper gives results of laboratory inflammability and explosibility tests made to April 1, 1943, and is a progress report. Many descriptive details have been omitted purposely; they will supplied in a later publication, expected to be a Bureau of Mines bulletin."

Oct 1, 1943

By R. E. Brewer

Published investigations show that many different chemical reagents have been used in determining the constitution of coals , but only a few studies have been applied directly in evaluating the effects of such reagents on the carbonization products of coal , Most of the treatments have been so drastic that any permissible conclusions that may be drawn are inferential in respect to any favorable effects on the yields and composition of the usual carbonization products .

Sep 1, 1943

By C. E. McElroy

"INTRODUCTION The ventilation of working places in mines by jets of air discharged from fan-pipe lines is an important phase of mine ventilation, whether the primary purpose is to dilute gas or dust concentrations or to provide air-motion cooling effect. Jets of similar nature are very prominent factors in the ventilation of enclosed spaces, such as buildings and ships. The effectiveness of such jets depends on the distribution of the air in the jet streams, a subject on which the little definite information previously available applied to jet discharge into large, open spaces under conditions quite different from those ordinarily associated with fan-pipe discharge in mines.The results of an initial series of experiments on the discharge of air from fan-pipe lines in mine openings have been described. 3/ This report presents the results of a second series of experiments and compares the results of both series with theory and experiment on jet discharge into large, open spaces. The results of this second series confirm and supplement those of the initial series, in which a 10-inch pipe discharged into an 8- by 8-foot develop¬ment end through seven short discharge pieces of different designs. In the present series the same 10-inch line was used, but the discharge was through 10- to 30-foot lengths of 5-inch, 10-inch, and 20-inch-diameter pipes and through a 20-foot length of 29- by 3-inch pipe. Tests were made with the air discharged into a closed drift or development end, as in the previous series (in which case the discharged air returned past the end of the pipe) and into an open drift (in which case the discharged air did not return past the end of the pipe but continued out along the drift). Test conditions corresponded to the discharge of a jet into a channel closed at one end; in one case, the discharge was directed toward the closed end and in the other toward the open end. The former typifies fan-pipe ventilation of development ends and the latter an abrupt increase in the sectional area of an airway. In both the flow had to pass from jet to open air against some resistance.The tests were made in the Mount Weather Testing Adit of the Bureau at Bluemont, Va., on the pipe line installed for ventilating the adit, and extended from late September to mid-November 1940. Preparations were made for directly comparable series of experiments on the injector effect of fan-pipe discharge in an open drift and on free expansion in large, open spaces, but these test programs were .first postponed in favor of other work and finally abandoned until the war is over."

Nov 1, 1943

By G. S. Scott

It is sometimes desirable to know what changes in sizing characteristics would appear in screened coals if screens of different - size openings than those employed had been used . This report is concerned entirely with the application of the Rosin- Rammler law to a solution of this problem .

Dec 1, 1943

By Griffith. F. E., Glei

"INTRODUCTION For many years protective grounding of electrical equipment has been advocated as a means of safeguarding equipment against damage and of minimizing shock hazards to persons. Several codes are in effect covering in considerable detail the items to be observed in obtaining effective grounding in and about industrial plants. Although the coal-mining industry does not have a comprehensive code of its own covering the grounding of electrical installations, a number of States and individual coal-mining companies have issued codes, standards, or rules that include certain requirements with reference to grounding. As early as 1916, 4/ and again more recently, 5/ the Bureau of Mines recommended grounding, particularly as a means of preventing shock to men working on or around electrical equipment.It is common knowledge among electrical engineers of public utility and mining companies that connecting a wire from the frame of a machine to a rod or pipe driven into the earth does not necessarily assure desired protection of surface equipment. In fact, it has often been found necessary to use several interconnected rods and to treat the surrounding earth with salt or other chemicals before the connection to earth would have sufficiently low resistance to give satisfactory results. Even these expedients have not produced the desired results in some localities. It has also been found that ground connections initially having a low resistance may attain high resistance during some seasons of the year. In spite of such difficulties with surface equipment, it has sometimes been assumed that a mining machine resting on the floor in a coal mine is grounded by virtue of its contact with that floor. It has also been assumed by persons endeavoring to comply with grounding requirements that a peg or rod driven into the mine floor would provide a sufficiently low-resistance contact with the earth to be satisfactory as an electrode for connecting the grounding wire from frames of equipment. That both assumptions may be wholly untrustworthy has been proved by the authors in actual tests with underground machinery."

Dec 1, 1943

By Irving Hartmann, John Nagy

As part of a program designed to promote safety in industrial operations , the Bureau of Mines has been investigating the explosibility of numerous powdered products and dusts and studying means for the prevention of dust explosions . In a previous paper the results of a study of the inflammability and explosibility of metal powders were published . This report summarizes a similar study which has been made on various powders used in the plastics industry. The work was undertaken to provide information for a subcommittee of the Dust Explosion Hazards Committee of the National Fire Protection Association, which was charged with preparation of a code for the prevention of fires and dust explosions in plants producing or processing synthetic resins and molding compositions . The production of powders and generation of inflammable dusts are inherent in one or more steps of the manufacturing process of many resins and molding compositions, and control of the dust hazard is a major problem in the plastics industry . In the preparation of phenolic resin molding powders, for example , the solid synthetic resin is crushed and pulverized , and then blended with ground wood flour , cotton flock, or other fillers , as well as with coloring pigments . This raw mix is then passed through compounding mills , from which it emerges in the form of homogeneous sheeted stock, which is crushed , ground , and graded to form the molding powder . The number of major dust explosions in the plastics industry has been limited, but numerous small explosions have occurred, and in view of the ever -increasing volume of production the potential explosion hazard must be considered a very real one . Fortunately, this fact is realized by several manufacturers of plastic compounds , as well as by insurance companies , who are taking precautionary measures against possible accidents and during the past year or two have submitted numerous powder samples to the Bureau of Mines for explosibility tests .

May 1, 1944

By Allen D. Look, Norman King

For many years, much thought and effort have been devoted to the achievement of safety in the use of explosives by those interested in the preservation of human life and the protection of property. As a result, we now have adequate rules pertaining to the safe use of explosives , which, if observed, would prevent many, perhaps ail , of the explosives accidents that yet occur . Although the rules respecting the use of explosives are believed to be well - known, many accidents occur because they are disregarded . The mental awareness aroused by a tragic accident usually will cause safety precautions to be taken for a while ; however , this awareness gradually disappears unless a sincere effort is made permanently to prevent similar accidents . Frequently, because safe methods are more irksome than unsafe methods , the lessons taught by accident experience are forgotten in a short time , vigilance is relaxed , and there is a gradual return to unsafe , easy methods of performing work. If the preservation of human life is important , the unfortunate experiences of others and the lessons taught by them should be applied to reduce unnecessary loss of life . The value of a life lost as the resuit of accident should be calculated not only from the monetary and humanitarian standpoint but also according to what the accident could contribute in the way of saving other lives and suffering . This saving of other lives can and will , if the lessons from unfortunate accidents are applied , convert a loss to a gain a gain of such magnitude that the accident victim could be considered

May 1, 1944

By P. G. Guest

"INTRODUCTION Need for More information on Spark IgnitionMany questions have yet to be answered more completely concerning the ignition of flammable gases and vapors by electric sparks. Among these one might mention the following: How do the mixture limits for ignition by sparks and by other means compare? Are the most explosive mixtures of the gases the most easily ignited? How ""hot"" must the spark be or what is the minimum energy required for ignition? Does the electric spark act merely as a source of thermal energy or do aggregations of ions, electrons, and metastable atoms formed during and just before the spark play an important part in promoting chemical reactions that ultimately lead to ignition? It is possible for ignition to occur as a result of a silent or brush discharge? How do the ignition energies with single and rapidly recurring sparks differ? What is the relative effectiveness of long, tenuous sparks in ignition as compared with intense, short-gap sparks of equal energy? What is the influence of the material, size, and shape of the spark electrodes? Does the energy for ignition change noticeably with moderate changes in pressure and temperature of an enclosed gas mixture? What order of lag exists between the occurrence of an incendiary spark and the first evidence of flame propagation? What part of a spark in space and time is most effective in producing ignition? Answers to these questions bear directly on the general problem of flame initiation and propagation and, if sufficiently comprehensive, should contribute much to an understanding of the actual mechanism of combustion."

May 1, 1944

By Sidney Speil

In the study of clays and related minerals, the analytical techniques commonly employed in mineral analysis are not always applicable. The X-ray examination of a clay sample usually will show the major constituents, but often minor· clay impurities will not be detected because of line broadening and the similarity of the main lines of clay· mineral diffraction patterns, The petrographic analysis of clay minerals with clay particles as small as a few microns is usually difficult. With still smaller particles, a gross effect often is noted in which a mixture of several constituents gives the appearance of a single constituent with the mean optical-characteristics of the mixture. 3/ The electron microscope has recently been used to study clay particle shapes of various aluminosilicates. 4/ However, this method has not yet been sufficiently explored. The Chemical method in which a mineralogical analysis is calculated from the oxide chemical analysis has been discussed by Wilson 5/ and others, and many of the shortcomings have been pointed out. It should also be recognized that the variable alkali and alkaline earth content of bentonites makes it inaccurate to assign these basic elements arbitrarily to feldspar or mica in any clay that contains appreciable bentonite.

Jul 1, 1944

By J. A. Woolf, A. P. Towne

"INTRODUCTION A considerable part of the metallurgical work of the Precious Metals Section comprises ore-testing experiments on ores selected as representative of various mining districts on areas. Projects authorized by the Bureau and assigned to the Precious Metals Section generally include only those ores or tailings in which the precious metals are the main valuable constituents; however, there are also included ores that contain strategic or critical metals in addition to the precious metals. The recovery of strategic and critical minerals is the most important phase of the treatment of this latter class of ores. However, if a considerable percentage of the precious-metal content of such ores can be recovered without complicating the flow sheet too much, it may be possible to treat an ore for the recovery of strategic or critical metals that could not otherwise be treated at a profit.Standard testing procedure involving cyanidation, amalgamation, gravity concentration, and flotation, or a combination of these methods, is employed in the greater part of this work. However, as the complexity of the ores furnished for this work has increased, it has been necessary to include special applications of standard procedures in many instances, Standard methods of conducting tests and the purposes of the work as a whole have been discussed in previous reports 4/ of ore-testing studies. In the present report, whenever it has been necessary to apply some special phase of standard treatment, this has boon explained in detail in that particular section of the report."

Aug 1, 1944

By L. J. E. Hofer

"INTRODUCTION This paper is riot to be considered a complete survey of data on carbides; it is only an attempt to correlate the more reliable of the existing data of interest in connection with the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and its purpose is to guide future experiment and thought.A general review of the literature on the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis will be published in the near future as a chapter by H. H. Storch for a book entitled, ""The Chemical Utilization of Coal,"" edited by H. H. Lowry. This chapter covers the literature up to l9). It is planned to bring the review up to date in a comprehensive bulletin on Synthetic Liquid Fuel Processes to be completed during the next year. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe author discussed the significance of the data with several members of the Physical Chemistry and Hydrogenation Section.THE PREPARATION OF CARBIDES OF IRON, COBALT, AND NICKELThe reaction of carbon monoxide with Fischer-Tropsch metals was first studied in a quanitaive way by Bahr and his coworkers. The contents of their first papers, 3/ 4/ 5/ which deal with the action of carbon monoxide on nickel, cobalt, and iron, will be described in the following paragraphs, together with the pertinent results of other investigators."

Jul 1, 1944

By Louis H. Berkelhamer

"INTRODUCTION In the present war, with increasing demands on foundrymen for speedy production of sound castings, the role of sand in foundries has paramount importance.Foundry sands include both molding sands and core sands. Molding sands are those used in making molds, whereas core sands include those used for ""cores"" that fill the parts of the mold intended to be openings or hollow spaces in the casting. Core sands are, as a general rule, relatively coarse-grained as compared to molding sands. Coarse-grained sands, however, are required in making molds for large castings.Owing to the intimate relationship between properties of the sand and casting defects, it is necessary (for most efficient foundry work) to keep a close check on the molding sands used and to properly select and prepare a sand for a specific job. A mold is essentially an unfired refractory composed to meet specific requirements as to strength, permeability, and resiliency. Good green strength is important in preparing and handling the mold. Low dry and hot strengths contribute to cutting and washing, whereas high strengths cause difficult shake-out, with subsequent loss of sand. When molten metal is poured into the mold: a dried skin is attained, and gases from moisture and combustibles are driven off. Excessive moisture necessary for the proper working of a sand, as well as poor venting due to low permeability, are factors responsible for producing such defects as blows and pinholing. The skin of the mold, upon contact with molten metal, first expands and later contracts; these conditions are favorable for producing scab defects. Contact with the molten metal sometimes causes the skin of the mold to sinter or fuse and may produce a sand burn on the casting. Then again, the mold may develop excessive hot strength rapidly, thereby causing a cracked casting. Experienced foundrymen can other such relationships, too numerous to be included here."

Sep 1, 1944

By K. K. Kelley

"INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines nitrogen peroxide process (2) 3/ for extracting manganese from low-grade ores is essentially a two-stage process involving the reversible reactionMnO2 + 2NO2 + 6H2O = Mn (NO3)2 . 6H2O (1).At lower temperatures this reaction proceeds to the rigth and affords a means of dissolving manganece and separating it from unreacted ore. At higher temperatures the reaction proceeds to the left and manganese dioxide is recovered and nitrogen peroxide regenerated for recycling. Evidently, therefore, the energy required for decomposition of manganous nitrate is a matter of practical importance. Similar information for certain other nitrates also is desirable beceuse the nitration step of the process produces appreciable amounts of nitrates of other metals, such as iron, aluminum, magnesium, calcium, and barium, some of which are not broken down in the evaporation and decomposition steps. Thus, a portion of the nitrogen peroxide is not directly available for recycling. Whether or not it is feasible to recover nitrogen peroxide locked in the more-stable nitrates depends partly on the energy required and the conditions necessary for their decomposition.To supply information bearing directly on these subjects, several researches were undertaken at the Pacific Experiment Station: (a) Heats of formation (24, 25, 26) of nitrates of manganese, magnesium, calcium, barium, and aluminum were measured at 298.2° K:; (b) low-temperature specific heats (23), in the range 51° to 298.2° K,, and entropies of nitrates of magnesium, calcium, barium, and aluminumm were determined; and (c) heat contents (21) above 298.2° K. of the nitrates of manganese, magnesium, calcium., and barium were measured. The results of these studies, when correlated by thermodymamic methods, permit evaluation, at any temperature of interest, of the energies required to decomposethe nitrates and furnish information concerning the equilibrium pressure temperature relationships."

Sep 1, 1944

By Sam S. Taylor

"INTRODUCTION This report deals with a comparatively simple application of some of the engineering principles involved in the evaluation, installation, and operation of air- or gas-injection projects and well-clean-out and repair methods to increase the producing rates of oil wells in partly depleted pools during the war. The methods suggested for developing gas-injection projects take into consideration that in general no new wells will be drilled because of wartime restrictions of equipment and manpower and that only existing wells and second-hand machinery will be used. Because air will be employed as the injection medium in secondary-recovery operations where natural gas is scarce and expensive, the disadvantages and hazards accompanying, its use are discussed. Engineering techniques recognized as best modern practice are discussed in relation to the effect of simple air-injection development of properties on postwar operations and Probable ultimate recovery of oil. The report is an introduction to where, when, why, and how an air-injection project should be installed and operated; it is not intended to be an engineering manual for technical guidance in the selection, development, and operation of simulative methods of oil recovery.The report is intended mainly for these thousands of operators in the Appalachian region owning a few wells prodding small quantities or oil daily. Many such operators are anxious to increase their production rates by simulative means and to rehabilitate their wells so that they will produce more oil to help win the war but, in general, are unfamiliar with secondary-recovery operations and cannot afford to hire technical assistance."

Sep 1, 1944

By D. B. Taliaferro, Thomas Jennings, C. M. Keithly

"INTRODUCTION This report describes the methods of development and operation and gives the results of controlled water injection into oil sands in Illinois. It is the third of a group relating to water-flooding operations in various States; previous reports have covered projects in Oklahome 5/ and Kansas.6/ Systmatic water flooding has been in progress, in these States, for more 10 years. In Illinois the Tide Water Associated Oil Co. has been injesting water into one or two wells on each of five leases in the Robinson Acknowledgments This study was made under the general supervision of R. A. Cattell, chief engineer, and H. C. Fowler, assistant chief engineer, Petroleum and Natural Gas Division, Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C., and N. A. C. Smith, supervising engineer, Petroleum Experiment Station, Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville, Okla., and under the direct supervision of Ludwig Schmidt, senior petroleum engineer, Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville, Okla.The cooperation of the operators who are conducting water-flooding projects and who have made this report possible by furnishing data on their operations is gratefully acknowledged. The writers are grateful also to the following members of the Bureau of Mines for assistance in preparation and criticism of the manuscript: C. J. Wilhelm, Franklin, Pa.; and Gustav Wade, R. E. Heithecker, and Peter Grandone, Bartlesville, Okla. The illustrations were prepared by Helen Cramer, Petroleum Experiment Station, Bureau of Mines, Bartlesville, Okla."

Aug 1, 1944

By C. W. Elder

"INTRODUCTION This report describes a method of horizontal drilling in an oil-producing formation underlying a 400-acre, approximately square plot of land in the Franklin Heavy oil field in Sugar Creek Township, Venango County, Pa. The method, which was developed on two previous projects in Ohio, 3/ consists of sinking a shaft to the bottom of a shallow oil sand and drilling holes in a general horizontal plane outward from the chamber in a pattern similar to that of the spokes of a wheel. The project was undertaken by the Venango Development Corporation in an attempt to find an efficient method of recovering oil from partly depleted sand formations.The Venango Development Corporation is composed of the following oil-producing and oil-refining companies and individuals: South Penn Oil Co., Forest Oil Corporation, Kendall Refining Co., Minard Run Oil Co., Quaker State Oil Refining Co., The Pennzoil Co., Alliance Oil Corpo¬ration, United Refining Co., Franklin Creek Refining Corporation, Canfield Oil Co., Pennsylvania Refining Co., Page Oil Co., Freedom Oil Co., D. W. and D. S. Grant, and J. P. Herrick, C. M. Davison and N. V. V. Franchot. Engineering features of the project were supervised by a committee off three engineers A. J. Saxe, chairman, W. M. Shoemaker, and C. N. Pfohl, who supervised the excavation of the shaft and the drilling of the first two holes by alternately spending a week at a. time at the project. The drilling method was under patent license from Leo Ranney, who served as technical advisor to the Venango Development Corporation; in addition, he furnished the design for the shaft and work chamber."

Sep 1, 1944