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By William M. Newton, John E. Sherborne

The relation between the properties of electric logs and the fluid used in drilling a well is briefly discussed in this paper, and the fact that the resistivity of the drilling mud and its filtrate can appreciably affect such logs is shown. Apparatus was designed and a procedure established to determine the effect of various factors on the resistivity of drilling mud. Five muds commonly employed in California were tested and the following observations were made: I. The effect of raising the temperature from 80°F. to 180°F. is to decrease the resis-tiviiy of the mud or filtrate approximately 50 per cent. 2. The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate. 3, The change in the resistivities of muds caused by the addition of chemical is not the same function of the amount of chemical added for each mud. 4. The effect produced by increased sodium chloride content is to reduce markedly the resistivity of the mud and its filtrate. 5. Weighting materials, such as Baroid and limestone, tend to increase the resistivity of drilling mud. 6, Cement and counteracting reagents reduce mud resistivity. Introduction During recent years, the practice of "electrically logging9' a geologic formation by means of a system of electrodes lowered in a well bore has provided data of inestimable value concerning the nature of the sediments penetrated. Thus, it is generally possible, by means of electric logs, to distinguish readily the differences between shales, sandstones, cherts, limestones, and other rock forms. The distinguishing characteristics recorded in this manner have made possible long-range and closely detailed mapping and visualization of deeply buried structures1-5 to a degree not to be obtained with a reasonable expenditure of money by any other means at present in use. Besides being of value in correlation work, electric logs have been found, in some instances, to be useful in estimating the nature of fluid contained within the pores of a rock. In special cases, even the relative permeabilities at different horizons have been determined.6 That electric logs should reflect in some measure such physical properties of rocks as porosity and permeability and, in addition, give rise to data pertaining to the fluid content of rock interstices, becomes evident when the conditions giving rise to the electrical phenomena measured are known. However, it is not the purpose of this paper to review the present status of electric logging; rather, the reader is referred to the papers cited on page 220 for the principles and practice involved. Importance of Drilling FLuid in Electric Logging Because the drilling fluid must be the medium through which the electric logging device is made to traverse the formations penetrated by a borehole, and since, in general, the drilling mud completely surrounds

Jan 1, 1942

By Emby Kaye

It is the purpose of this paper to outline briefly some of the considerations that enter into the economics of so-called recycling, the generic designation of the relatively recently developed process by which a condensate† is separated from gas-distillate gas at high pressure and the residual gas returned to the reservoir. This subject necessarily embraces not only a discussion of factors that should be considered in projecting a recycling operation, such as estimating reserves, investment and operating costs, but also a comparison of condensate with other types of petroleum. The place of condensate in its relation to the total supply of crude oil is pointed out as well as certain logical methods of product disposal. The cost of drilling wells and lease maintenance is not pertinent to this discussion because income and revenue are in this paper confined to that retained by the plant or plant operator for supplying processing facilities for the gas. Before the development of recycling a great many gas-distillate gas fields in Louisiana and Texas provided no income to their owners. When gas was sold from these reservoirs it was accompanied by irretrievable losses of condensate in the formation. The understanding of the func- tion of retrograde condensation resulted in the introduction of a new commercial petroleum recovery process for these hitherto unexploited fields and now permits the conditioning of this type of wet gas field for the sale of dry gas therefrom without waste. Some Economic Factors The study of a gas-distillate field for possible exploitation necessarily involves the critical appraisal of a number of elements, chief of which will be discussed here: (I) estimate of distillate in place, (2) estimate of distillate that can be brought to the surface, (3) available market, (4) costs. The considerations affecting the estimating of distillate reserves in place are in the main subject to the same errors as are involved in determining dry gas reserves. Determinable data including acreage, sand thickness, reservoir pressure, reservoir temperature, porosity and connate water provide the basis for calculating the volume of gas in place. Ample allowance must be made for connate water, which may occupy from 20 to 35 per cent of the pore space of the sand. The factor of supercom-pressibility is to a considerable extent nullified by the reservoir temperature. It has been considered well advised to allow this factor to serve as a cushion. With the gas reserves calculated, it remains only to assay the distillate content of the gas. Those familiar with the handling of "wet" gas at high pressure readily appreci-ate the variables in sampling gas from

Jan 1, 1942

By James Terry Duce

The symposium on production for the year 1941 contains few papers on the foreign situation. Rigid censorship prevails in various countries, as the question of the volume of petroleum supplies has become one of great strategic importance. This is even truer than in the last war, owing to greater mechanization of armies. It has always been the policy of officers in charge of the symposium to refrain from publishing information that might possibly injure national or private interests. At the close of the war we hope again to publish full and accurate records of production abroad. Excerpts from Circular to AutHORs In order to facilitate interpretation of the data in this chapter, we print the fol-lowing excerpts from the Circular to Authors. The field is the unit in this tabulation. In cases of fields extending across State boundaries, such as Rodessa, it is suggested that each State author treat the section of the field in his State as a unit, and by a footnote indicate that the field extends into an adjacent State. Each space in Table I may represent one of four possibilities; either it is not applicable to the particular field, or the proper entry is not determinable, or the proper entry may be determinable but is not determinable from data available to the author, or the proper entry is determinable. When spaces are not applicable, leave blank; in spaces where the proper entries are determinable but not de-terminable from data available to the author, please insert y; in spaces where the proper entries are determinable by the author, make such entries. y implies a hope that in some future year a definite figure will be available. The entry of a zero is a positive declaration, and an important declaration where it is in order. Inability to determine precisely the correct entry for a particular space should not lead the author to insert merely y. Contributions of great value may be made by the author in many cases where entries are not subject to precise determination. In such cases the author should use his good judgment and make the best entry possible under the circumstances. For many spaces the correct entries represent the opinion of the author (for example, "Area Proved") and in such cases the entry need not be hedged to such extent as when the quantities are definite yet can be ascertained only approximately by the author. In cases under definite headings but where figures are only approximate, the author may use x. It is thought that the nearest whole numbers are sufficiently accurate for our purposes except as to percentage of sulphur in oil. If an author desires to report any other figures to tenths, he may do so. The quantity of gas produced should include, where possible, gas sold or otherwise marketed, and gas blown into the air, burned as flares or otherwise wasted. Segregation of these figures would be interesting if the authors can make such segregation. In any event, the figures should represent as nearly as possible the total quantity of gas removed from the reservoir.. Under the columns on "Depth," the average depth to the top of the productive zones and to the bottom of the productive wells, when

Jan 1, 1942

By Alec M. Crowell, J. W. Sanders

While the production of crude oil and condensate in South Arkansas increased only 1.7 per cent over the 1940 figure, complete utilization of gas produced with the oil and condensate, and heretofore wasted, was beginning to be evidenced. There were 26,229,264 bbl. of oil and condensate produced in South Arkansas during 1941, as against 25,790,380 bbl. for the year 1940. (Fig. I.) Since 1936, deep producing sands have been discovered in 18 fields and during that period only 40 per cent of the total state production has come from Upper Cretaceous formations while 60 per cent came from the Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic formations. The gas produced with crude oil and condensate from the latter formation contains large quantities of hydrogen sulphide, the maximum being 6900 grains per 100 cu. ft. in the Patton pool of Lafayette County. Gas Utilization During the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941, pilot plants were placed in operation to determine whether the hydrogen sulphide and deleterious material in South Arkansas gases could be removed economically. The Federal Government desired to build a large aluminum plant in the Ouachita Valley and was seeking cheap fuel for the generation of electricity. The fact that the gases were produced with appreciable quantities of crude oil and condensate made it available at a very low price, since the state's conservation law prohibits the flaring of any gas. As a result of these experiments the first large-scale unit for the processing of gases containing hydrogen sulphide was placed in operation on Sept. I, 1941. The plant is in the Magnolia oil field, Columbia County. It processes residue gas from the Shell Oil Company's gasoline plant in that field and also raw gas from the Village field, 6 miles east of the Magnolia field. The gas entering the desulphuri-zation unit is laden with approximately 1400 grains of hydrogen sulphide per 100 cu. ft. and is stripped to a content of 4 grains per 100 cu. ft. The capacity of the plant is 15 million cu. ft. of gas treated daily under a pressure of 160 lb. per sq. in. The cost of treatment, exclusive of depreciation, is appreciably less than I per 1000 cubic feet. Two other plants of much greater capacity have been announced and priorities have been granted, which should bring the total amount of gas treated to 150 million cu. ft. daily. The gas to be treated will have a maximum hydrogen sulphide content of 4500 grains per 100 cu. ft. and will be processed under a pressure of 600 lb. per sq. in. These developments are something entirely new in field practice for the industry. The fact that this heretofore wasted gas is available at very low cost has led to the location of some eight war industries within the state, in addition to the alu-minum plant. Recovery OF Sulphur The Susearch Corporation and the Southern Acid and Sulphur Co. placed in operation during 1941 pilot plants to de-

Jan 1, 1942

By V. H. Wilhelm

The year 1941 in the California oil industry was marked by an increased market demand, drilling activity, and production of crude oil. Although seven new oil fields and two gas fields were discovered during the year, additions to reserves from these discoveries, as well as extensions and revaluations of previous discoveries, were approximately 100 million barrels, as against estimated withdrawals of 230,233,000 barrels. The year was remarkable for the very great increase in domestic demand for all products, which more than compensated for the loss in shipments to Japan, which averaged 60,041 bbl. Per day during 1940. Demand in terms of crude during 1941 was 648,967 bbl. per day as against 632,647 for the same period in 1940. This abnormal increase in demand is due to increased industrial activity, and especially increased railroad activity. Gasoline consumption for 1941 was 241,011 bbl. per day as against 217,744 in 1940. Demand for fuel oil increased from 259,806 bbl. per day in 1940 to 285,896 in 1941, and caused a withdrawal from stocks of more than 7,473,000 barrels. During 1941, total oil storage declined 9,153,000 bbl., but additions to storage of 1,754,000 bbl. of light oil and light oil products were offset by a withdrawal of 10,907,000 bbl. of heavier products. Production during the year is estimated at 230,233,000 bbl. as against 222,784,386 bbl. for 1940. TraNsportation For a short time, California was affected by lack of transportation due to the diversion of tankers. This shortage affected the movement of oil from the Sari Joaquin mated to the refineries, since a large percentage of this production is moved to the coast through pipe lines, and thence by tankers to Los Angeles and San Fran-,iSco, Return of the tanker fleet, which may be temporary, indicates that there is a possibility of ample supplies of petroleum products in the Pacific Northwest. Drilling Activity Contrary to general opinion, drilling activity increased in 1941 over the pre-vious Year, 942 wells being completed in 1941 as against 890 in 1940, an increase Of 6 per cent. This increase was due to the increased demands for fuel oil, and also to the decreased drilling costs, which made many former marginal locations economic. The main activity caused by increased demands for fuel oil was in the Mt. Poso, McKittrick, Midway and Santa Maria Valley oil fields. Dry-hole footage in 1941 was 655,354 ft. as against 583,537 ft. for 1940. Curtailment Voluntary curtailment succeeded in holding production considerably below demand, although it was above the state quota. During the year the top allotment

Jan 1, 1942

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

In 1941 Illinois produced 134,139,000 bbl. of oil, or 9.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked fourth among the states. The production for 1941 declined 9.2 per cent from the previous year's total of 147,647,000 bbl. Daily average production for 1941 was 366,000 bbl. At the beginning of the year daily production was slightly more than 326,000 bbl. and it remained at appoximately that amount until June, when there was a slight increase. The increase continued until the peak of 431,260 bbl. daily was reached for the week ending Oct. 4. Daily average production at the end of the year was approximately 387,500 barrels. The increased production during the last half of 1941 was largely due to the rapid development of the Johnsonville field, Wayne County, the Rural Hill field, Hamilton County, and the Benton field, Franklin County—new fields discovered in the current year (Fig' 1)—and the Woodlawn pool, discovered in 1940. Discoveries In 19 counties in southern Illinois, 44 new fields were discovered in 1941 (Fig. 2 and Table 2), and extensions to 40 fields were successfully completed (Table 3). At the end of the year there were 10,496 wells in the fields discovered since Jan. I, '937, as compared with 71965 wells at the end Of '940. The area proved for production in the new fields increased from 78,040 acres at the beginning of 1941 to 97,483 acres at the end of the year (Table I)—an increase of 19,433 acres, of which 9,955 acres are in the fields discovered during the current year, and the remainder of 9,478 acres in extensions to pools discovered earlier. Drilling During the past year, 3838 wells were completed in Illinois (Table 4), of which 2912 were oil producers, 13 were gas producers and 913 were dry holes; 76 per cent of the wells drilled were producers. Of the total number drilled, 591 wells are classified as "wildcat" and of these 84 (1 in 7) were successful in obtaining production. The results of an investigation to ascer-tain the reason for the locations of the wildcat wells are set forth in Table 5. Of the 591 wildcat wells, the 292 known to have been located by scientific methods were 21.6 per cent successful. The total footage of wildcat wells drilled in 1941 was 1,341,743 ft., of which a total of 216,995 ft. was drilled in successful wells. Exploration MEthods Subsurface geology and geophysics, largely the reflection seismograph, are still the principal methods used in exploration and development in the state. The number of seismograph parties operating throughout the year was as follows: seven parties on Jan. I, 1941; five on Apr. I; four On July I; eight on Oct. I; fifteen on Jan. 1: 1942.

Jan 1, 1942

By Ralph E. Esarey, Robert G. Reno

DriLLing activity and prospecting for oil and gas increascd in Indiana in 1941 over the previous year. The greater part of the drilling and development continued to centralize in the Indiana portion of the Interior Coal Basin, in the southwestern part of the state, but other parts of the state were not neglected. Many wildcat wells were drilled, including a series of core tests through the mantle of drift on the southern flank of the Michigan Basin. These core tests have been followed by several unsuccessful production tests. Production tests were made also along the axis of the Logansport-Kankakec branch of the Cincinnati Arch. In all, 411 field locations and 141 wildcat wells were completed in Indiana during 1941; that is, a total of 552 wells, an increase of 3 2 wells over the previous year. The field tests resulted in 260 oil wells, 57 gas wells, and 94 dry holes; wildcats included 16 oil wells, 3 gas wells and 122 dry holes. At the end of the year, 53 field wells and 34 wildcats were drilling. Gibson and Posey Counties led the state, with 154 and 155 wells drilled, respectively. However, 125 wells produced oil in Gibson County, while 98 produced oil in Posey County. Twenty-five per cent of all wells drilled were wildcat; II per cent of these produced oil and 5 per cent produced gas. Grifin field continued to lead in drilling activity, with 157 successful wells and 20 dry holes (including important wells defining the field). Production is found in five pay zones (Tar Springs, Waltersburg, Elwren, Aux Vases and McClosky). It produced a major part of Indiana's estimated 7,200,000 bbl. of oil during the year. Heusler field, Posey County, expanded with 11 oil ells and 4 dry holes in the Waltersburg and Tar Springs. Vienna field, Posey County, completed four oil producers in the Mansfield sandstone, between 1200 and 1250 ft. The College field, discovered late in 1940, received three oil producers and two dry holes in the Aux Vases. Two new fields were discovered in Posey County during the year: Lamott pool, in the Tar Springs, at 1950 ft., had initial production of 55 bbl. on discovery. One producer and one dry hole have been drilled since. Mt. Vernon pool found saturation in both the Waltersburg and Cypress formations. The discovery well tested about 1000 bbl. per day; it tested the McClosky at 2764 ft. Seven producers have been drilled since the October discovery. Welborne-Switch pool found oil in the Cypress sand at approximately 2500 ft., with an initial production of 33 bbl. One more well in the area proved a dry hole. Gibson County had the following discoveries in 1941: The Patoka field was opened by a McClosky producer of 300 bbl. Another producing well has been drilled. An attempt was made to extend the Illinois Mt. Carmel field into Gibson County, Ind., and one producer of 24 bbl, was completed on the Indiana side. A dry hole has since been drilled, one location south. One small well was completed in the Mans. field at 1105 ft. in sec. 31, T.2 S., R.12 W., Gibson County promising a new field

Jan 1, 1942

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

UNder the impetus of new demands caused by the defense program, the oil and gas industries of Kansas established new records during the year 1941. In all, 2113 wells were drilled, which compares favorably with the record total drilled in 1937. These 2113 tests resulted in 1446 oil wells, 76 gas wells and 592 dry holes. In all three categories there was an increase over the previous year, but unfortunately the most marked increase was in the dry holes. Nearly 80 per cent of the increase must be allocated to the drilling 01 unsuccessful tests. This was partly because of the increasing difficulty of finding new reserve areas and partly because of the erratic character of the production in the Arbuckle dolomite, which is now the main producing zone. Closer analysis of the totals reveals that western Kansas accounted for 1634 tests, of which 1186 were oil wells, 34 were gas wells and 415 were dry holes. The total potential initial daily production uncovered by the successful wells amounted to 1,691,000 bbl. of oil and 508,000,000 cu. ft. of gas. Both figures indicate a considerable decrease when compared with the proceeding year; in 1940 the respective figures were 2,128,000 bbl. and 1,289,000,000 cu. feet. In eastern Kansas a total of 479 wells were drilled. Among these, 260 were oil wells accounting for a daily initial potential production of 45,662 bbl. The new gas wells numbered 42 and added 290,438,000 cu. ft. per day to the gas potential production of the state. The remaining tests, 177 in number, were dry. It is interesting and significant that almost half (791) of the total wells drilled in western Kansas were drilled by the independent operators. Among the large companies the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 169 wells; the Stanolind Oil and Gas CO., 101; the Skelly Oil Co., 80; the Continental Oil Co., 99, and the Shell Petroleum Co., 63 wells. In eastern Kansas the independent operators drilled 406 out of the total of 479 wells. Among the major oil companies the Cities Service Oil Co. drilled 38; the Phillips Petroleum Co., 13, and the Sinclair-Prairie Oil Co., II wells. The figures on relative percentages of dry holes to successful oil or gas wells are revealing. In western Kansas approximately one third of all wells drilled by the independent operators were dry holes. The major oil companies drilled approximately 844 wells in western Kansas, of which 678 were successful in finding either oil or gas. It thus appears that the major companies fared much Getter than the independents. In eastern Kansas the major companies drilled 73 wells of which 63 were successful in finding commercial quantities of oil or gas. No less than 286 wildcat tests were put down in western Kansas and 72 in eastern Kansas, or 358 in all, during 1941. Considerably more than half of these were drilled by independent operators; zoo in western and 66 in eastern Kansas. An exploratory hole % mile or more from production is regarded as a wildcat well in Kansas. On a percentage basis, approximately 75 per cent of all wildcat wells were failures; only 25 per cent found oil or gas in western

Jan 1, 1942

By George Straghan, Ralph Thomas

OIL production in Kentucky in 1941 was 5,191,024 bbl., one barrel less than in the preceding year. The total completions for the state numbered 714, of which 256 were gas Manuscript received at the office of the Institute Feb. 26. 1942. * Geologist, .Kentucky Weal Virginia Gas Co., Ashland, Ky. † Geoloneist. Inland Gas Co.. Ashland. Kv. producers, 220 oil wells, and 227 dry holes. The total number was 95 more than in 1940. No new important oil or gas pools were discovered. The number of dry tests was large, although many of the dry holes could be considered wildcat tests. In western Kentucky, 365 wells were drilled, of which 145 were oil producers,

Jan 1, 1942

By J. Hunter

LouisiaNa ranks fifth among the oil-producing states. In 1941 the state-wide production was slightly in excess of 118,000,000 bbl. of crude oil and conden-sate—an increase of 15,000,000 bbl. over the total production for the year 1940. During 1941, south Louisiana produced approximately 90,900,000 bbl. of oil, while north Louisiana produced approximately 27,000,000. South Louisiana, therefore, produced about 3¼ times more oil than north Louisiana. During the past year, 574,800,000 M cu. ft. of natural and casinghead gas were produced in Louisiana; thus 1941 gas production exceeded the 1940 production by 104,900,000 M cu. feet. Completion records for the year 1941 show that 1512 wells were completed in or adjoining producing fields. These wells, which were drilled to extend known producing areas or were located within producing areas, are not considered as wildcat wells. Of the total number of field wells drilled, 1152 wells found production; the remaining 360 were junked or dry and abandoned. This means that 76 per cent of the wells drilled were successful. Considering the precarious nature of oil-field development, this percentage of new producing wells is exceedingly satisfactory. Of the total number of field welis com-pleted as producers, approximately 86 wells found new and distinct producing sands. During the past year, 30 new fields were found. Four parishes—namely, Caldwell, Catahoula, Orleans, and Natchitoches— entered the ranks of oil-and-gas-producing parishes in the state during that period. This brings the total number of oil-and-gas-producing parishes in the state up to 48. Thus, 75 per cent of the parishes in Louisiana now contain one or more oil and/or gas fields. Although sufficient data are not available to list the addition reserves found in Louisiana during 1941, it is felt that such reserves undoubtedly exceed twice the total production for that year, or at least 200 million barrels. In reserves, therefore, Louisiana ranks third among the various oil-producing states. South Louisiana Although 16 new fields were found in south Louisiana, the outstanding developments in that part of the state were not limited to new discoveries. In fact, most of the increase in reserve in that area has been most consistently accumulated through extensions of known producing sands and through the finding of new sands in already productive fields, especially at depths below the presently producing sands. Since data concerning most of the new extensions and sands are too extensive for discussion here, the more important developments arc briefly outlined below: Abbeville, Vermilion Parish.—Production extended ½ mile to the west. Anse La Butte, St. Martin Parish.—New oil sand discovered at 9400 ft., thus extending production to east flank. West flank defined by dry holes. Barataria, Jefferson Parish.—New oil sand discovered on east side of field at 7620 ft. New

Jan 1, 1942

By Theron Wasson

The discovery of two new fields—the Reed City area of Osceola County and the Headquarters field, of Roscommon County —and the important development in Winterfield township, Clare County, again demonstrate the fact that it is the unknown and unexpected that enter very definitely into the oil-producing history of Michigan. This is particularly true in the area of thick glacial drift in the north central part of the state, where the new prolific fields have been discovered this year. This shifts the interest from the southwestern part of the lower peninsula, where a number of pools were rapidly developed during 1939 and 1940, back into the Central Basin area. As a result of strict proration in the new areas, the production for the state of Michigan for the year has not been as great as in 1940 or 1939. In 1941 the total production was 16,300,000 bbl., in 1940 it was 19,551,000 bbl., and in 1939, which was the peak year, it was 23,300,000 bbl. However, the discovery of the new fields this year nearly doubles the estimated reserves for Michigan reported at the end of 1940 In 1941 about 12,000,000 bbl. of oil was produced from the older fields, in which the individual well productions were so small that proration was not an important factor. The total production for the state from the discovery of oil in 1925 through 1941 now stands at 161,205,000 barrels. ActIVe Oil Fields Reed City Field.—In the Reed City field, Lincoln township, Osceola County, only small oil wells were completed during 1939 and 1940. The discovery of much larger production in wells drilled somewhat deeper, by The Pure Oil Co. and the Weber Oil Co., in the early part of 1941, led to the rapid development in this area. Some wells have had initial productions as high as 10,000 bbl. By the end of the year III producing wells were completed, with an average depth of 3600 ft., from the Detroit River formation of Devonian age. The entire development of the field to the end of 1941 was on 20-acre spacing. Headquarters Field.—The Headquarters field, which lies along the line between Clare and Roscommon Counties, was one of the most important discoveries of 1941 and will be the scene of vigorous development during 1942. Production so far has been from the Traverse lime at about 3400 it., and development has indicated that this is probably one of the most productive Traverse pools yet discovered. One well had been given a potential of 10,000 bbl. per day. Dry holes well located in relation to big producers indicate that it is a typical Traverse development. Winterfield Field.-This field, in Winter-field township, Clare County, was discovered late in 1940. By December 1941, 14 Dundee and 5 Traverse producers had been completed. The Dundee lime is found at a depth of 3750 it. and the Traverse lime at 3070 it. Producing conditions in the Dundee seem to be erratic because of varying porosity in the dolomit-ized limestone. Kawkawlin Field.—The Kawkawlin field, which was discovered by the Gulf Refining Co. in 1938, is in Monitor and Kawkawlin townships, Bay County. Small production

Jan 1, 1942

By H. M. Morse

Mississippi, during the year 1941, experienced the greatest diversity of oil activity since the beginning of oil interest in the state—core tests for exploration, core tests for sulphur, continued drilling at Tinsley for production, and wildcatting, which brought to light two new oil fields and two new salt domes. There were 45 wildcat wells drilled in 1941, which showed greater results and findings geologically than the 85 drilled in 1940. Tinsley Oil Field (Yazoo County).—The Tinsley oil field, with its boundaries fairly well defined now, is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. During the past year 213 producing wells were completed, which brought the total number of producers in the field by the end of 1941 to 325 wells. Seven producing sands have been logged, with a total average thickness of 30 ft. of oil sand. The producing formations are the Selma, Eutaw and Tuscaloosa. The average total depth of the wells is 5012 ft. The average gravity of the oil is 35.4°. Production for 1941 was approximately 15,500,000 bbl. of oil. Vaughan-Pickens Oil Field (Yazoo County).—At the end of 1941 only three wells were Producing in this field, the fourth having been abandoned. The total production for the field for the year was approximately 250,000 bbl. of oil. The producing sand is the Wilburn, in the Eutaw formation. Cary Field (Sharkey County).—The British American Oil Producing Co. completed, on Sept. I, 1941, its F. B. Houston No. A-I well, sec. 23, T. 11 N., R. 7 W. It is

Jan 1, 1942

By Frank C. Greene

The year 1941 was uneventful in oil and gas development in Missouri. No new pools were opened and several areas with promising structures, in the northwestern part of the state, were disappointing when drilled. In looking for an explanation of these failures, it is suggested that it will be necessary to find areas in which the lower beds of the Mississippian are upfolded, in order to obtain production in northwestern Missouri. To do this, geophysical exploration or test drilling far enough into the Mississippian beds to get cores or cuttings of definitely established age appear to be the best methods. Although not leading to new production, drilling in Missouri established two new state records, one for depth and another for the amount of rotary drilling. An important well† in sec. 24, T. 19 N., R. 11 E., Pemiscot County, in the southeastern corner of the state, was drilled with a rotary to 4740 ft., several hundred feet deeper than any previous hole. The total footage drilled by rotary rigs of various types was 31,135 ft. and that by cable tools, 29,166 feet. The total number of completions was 85, of which 18 were gas wells with an initial open-flow capacity of 12,528,000 cu. ft., and 67 were dry holes. Of the latter, 19 were drilled into Mississippian or older formations. Table I gives a summary of activities by counties.

Jan 1, 1942

By E. C. Reed

Ninety wells were completed in Nebraska during 1941, of which 42 were producers. One of them was the discovery well of a new field. All of the production to date is in Richardson County. At the close of the year 14 wells were drilling and three more were shut down for orders, hoping for future development of production. Most of the drilling activity was in Richardson County, which had 68 operations; 10 wells were drilled in Nemaha County, 5 drilled or drilling in Gage County, 3 each in Otoe and Furnas Counties, 2 each in Cass, Harlan, Johnson and Sarpy Counties, and 10 wells were completed or drilling over the remainder of the state. The most important development of the year was the discovery in October of the Barada field, sec. 36, T. 3 N., R. 16 E.,

Jan 1, 1942

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 39,751,868 bbl. of oil in 1941 and ranked seventh among the oil-producing states. Its 1941 production established an annual record, exceeding the 1940 record year by 854,498 bbl. The average daily production for the year was 108,909 bbl. The average daily non-marginal well allowable for New Mexico on Jan. I, 1941, was 36 bbl.; at the close of the year it was 43 bbl. The average daily pipe-linc runs were approximately 3 per cent less than the allocations of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, which followed closely the recommendation of the United States Bureau of Mines in setting the daily outlet demand. The production in Lea County was 34,333,448 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,009,354 bbl.; and northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 406,306 barrels. The total number of completions in the state was 402, of which 301 were oil wells, 19 gas wells, and 82 dry holes. Drilling during 1941 was 68 per cent of 1940, and the ratio of dry holes to producers, I to 4, was the greatest since 1935. Of these dry holes 43 were drilled in proven fields and 39 were wildcats. One new oil field and one new gas field were discovered as a result of the 1941 wildcatting program. However, numerous extensions were made to the existing fields, which, although they were called extensions to proration areas, were in reality field discoveries, being on separate geologic structures. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County The Monument field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 6,973,808 bbl. It was closely followed by the Eunice field, with 6,644,181 bbl.; Vacuum field, with 4,800,608 bbl. and Hobbs, with 3,624,159 bbl. Hobbs field, however, still has the largest total recovery, this being 97,407,929 bbl. at the end of 1941. The new oil-field discovery in Lea County during 1941 was the Salt Lake field, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. The discovery well was Leonard-Welch State No. I, NW. NW. of sec. 18, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. This well was drilled to a total depth of 3103 ft. and was completed for an initial production of 250 bbl. per day pumping. The oil is 26" gravity and the producing horizon is in the San Andres limestone of Permian age. The discovery well was completed on June 22, 1941, and since that date four more producers have been completed, with no failures. The area is about 10 miles north-west of the Lynch pool, to which the oil from this field is being trucked because there is no pipe-line connection. The greatest drilling activity during 1947 was in the Maljamar field of western Lea County, with 62 completions, 59 being oil wells and 3 dry holes. The limits of this pool are now being defined on the north and south but to date have not been defined either to the east or west. The total number of 40-acre oil-producing units in the field at the close of the year was 158. On April I, 1941, a pressure-maintenance project was installed at the southern end

Jan 1, 1942

By C. A. Hartinagel

During 1941, the total production of crude oil in New York state was 5,185,000 bbl. This represents a small increase over the average for the past five years. From 1921, when the annual production of the state amounted to only 988,000 bbl., there was a regular annual increase in production (excepting one or two years) until the 5,000,000-bbl. mark was reached in 1937, After more than 20 years of oil recovery by flooding methods, it was generally believed, until a few months ago, that the rate of production was nearly at its peak and within a few years the fields would experience a gradual decline as the thicker sands became exhausted and the thinner ones could be worked only at increasing costs. As a result of the present emergency, however, unusual efforts are being made, in spite of higher costs of operation, to increase the output of Pennsylvania grade oil, to which the New York product belongs. Since most of any increased production would be obtained by flooding, and since floods travel slowly, no large increase in production can be expected for some months to come. During the first year, 10 or 15 per cent increase could be obtained, but maximum production, an increase of perhaps 40 per cent, could not be expected until some time during the second or third year. In the Allegany fields, which account for two thirds of the state's oil production, 1246 wells, including water-intake wells, were drilled during the year; 390 more than in the preceding year and 590 more than in 1939. It is evident that much of the best oil territory has already been developed. As producers move toward edge properties and thinner sands, returns will be smaller, whereas costs remain the same or, under war conditions, become higher. It is estimated that at least 60 million barrels of oil is in sight and will be produced from the thicker sands by present recovery methods. In the thinner sands and edge properties, some 35 million additional barrels can be produced at a profit only if prices become higher. In view of the fact that there is little hope of finding new oil pools in New York, one of the future problems of the oil producer will be to obtain adequate returns for increased production costs. The year started with a posted price of $2.15 per barrel of crude. There were five successive price increases until the high of the year was reached at $2.98 on Aug. 14. Eight days later the Office of Price Administration directed that the price be reduced to the June level of $2.75 a barrel, which remained in effect to the end of the year. With rising costs of operation, it is feared that many of the smaller properties cannot continue production unless the Federal price cut is revoked. During the year, Allegany Refiners Inc., a local enterprise founded in 1933, with plant at Bolivar, western Allegany County, increased its refining capacity from 1000 to 1500 bbl. daily. At the same time equipment was added to make the plant a complete lubricating-oil refinery, including facilities for the refining of wax into the finished product. Previous to the enlargement, it was necessary to sell the wax

Jan 1, 1942

By Kenneth Cottingham

The year 1941 brought a considerable increase in drilling activity in Ohio. In 1940, the total of wells completed was 1228, whereas in 1941 it was 1561, or an increase of approximately 27 per cent. Of the 1561 wells, 333 were oil wells, 701 gas wells and 527 dry holes. The completions for the past five years are shown in Table I; the number of productive oil or gas wells for the year 1941, arranged by producing formations, are given in Table 2; the number of wells, oil, gas or dry, completed in each county in 1941, in Table 3, and wells by sands in Table 4. The production of oil increased by about 500,000 bbl. in 1941, nearly all of the increase being in Pennsylvania grade. In 1940, the total production was 3,052,000 bbl. from 25,500 wells. In 1941 the total production was 3,547,534 bbl. from 24,801 wells. The increase in production is chiefly due to the Clinton pool in Clayton township, Perry County, which is briefly men- tioned later in this review. The number of oil wells, by grades of oil, and the total quantities produced are shown in Table ;. Annual oil production for five years is listed in Table 6. The average prices paid for crude in 1941 were slightly higher than in 1940 These 1941 prices, with dates of change, are shown in Table 7. The maximum production of natural gas in Ohio was in the year 1915, when the total was just under 80 billion cu. ft. The maximum consumption occurred in the year 1916, and was approximately 169 billion cu. ft. For the past several years, Ohio has ranged from eighth to eleventh, in order of gas production for the different states, being in tenth place in 1940. In the matter of consumption, however, Ohio remains in fifth place. Preliminary figures for 1940 indicate that production of natural gas increased II per

Jan 1, 1942

By Raymond D. Sloan

Development and exploration in Oklahoma showed a definite increase in 1941 over 1940 in production, wildcat activity and total well completions. Geological and geophysical work continued and possibly increased slightly in amount. Oklahoma retained third place in the ranking of oil-producing states of the nation, topped only by Texas and California, and followed by Illinois in fourth position. Production averaged 416,800 bbl. daily, a 1.7 per cent increase, as compared with 409,900 bbl. daily for the year 1940. Maintenance of the state's relatively stable producing rate resulted from the discovery of numerous small pools, the recombing of old areas, the establishment of new producing horizons, and the drilling of an increased number of marginal wells. The market for the Mid-Continent crude was strengthened materially to meet the increased demand. Coincident with a deeline in production in Illinois, shipment of Oklahoma-Kansas crude to the eastern points averaged 453,000 bbl. per day, an increase of 49.4 per cent as compared with 1940. The movement south amounted to an average of 42,000 bbl. per day, a loss of 41.7 per cent. Secondary-recovery programs in Oklahoma were given more consideration, operators realizing that in the future many pools would necessarily have to resort to this type of operation. Five permits for water-flooding were issued by the Corporation Commission during the year. These projects were in Rogers, Wagoner and Nowata Counties, in the shallow northeastern area, which has relatively extensive development of this type in the Bartles-ville sand at from 600 to 1000 ft. in depth. Gas repressuring of an individual lease in the 35-year old Glenn pool, Creek County, proved relatively successful, and after a year's operation was extended to cover a much larger area, with several operators participating. More of this type of work is expected in the future; however, it was given an initial setback when the legislative proposal authorizing secondary recovery in the Wilcox zone of Oklahoma's largest pool, the Oklahoma City pool, was pigeonholed by the committee. A continuation of the low discovery rates within the state would possibly lead to a revival of interest in the project. Many pools formerly classified as prorated areas were removed from this classification and transferred into the group of settled production. At the close of the year the issuance of the Federal Conservation Order M-68 and the interrelated Preference Rating Order P-98 caused a sharp decline in drilling operations, which is expected to continue until such operations are stabilized at a lower rate. The ultimate effect of these two orders on discoveries, production and reserves is a matter of speculation and conjecture. During the year, 2110 new wells were drilled, an increase of approximately 18 per cent as compared with the previous year. Of the total, 1235 were oil wells with a combined initial potential of 342,754 bbl. daily, 178 were gas wells with a total

Jan 1, 1942

By Arthur C. Simmons

The State of Pennsylvania produces approximately 60 per cent of the total production of Pennsylvania Grade oil, and naturally represents the dominant factor in the area producing that grade. The producing area comprises the states of New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and a small part of Ohio. The importance of this area is too commonly neglected because it produces only 2 per cent of the total amount of crude produced in the United States. It is, of course, unimportant in its percentage of total crude production, but extremely important for its production of lubricating oil. The lubricating fraction from a barrel of Penllsylvania Grade crude oil represents about 22 per cent of the total, whereas the lubricating fraction from the total United States production represents only about 2.5 per cent of the crude oil. The Pennsylvania Grade area produces about 6,000,000 bbl. of lubricants, which is 15 to 20 per cent of the total produced in the United States. All Pennsylvania Grade lubricants are classified as "high-grade," and with a production of 15 to 20 per cent of the total lubricants, it appears probable that the Pennsylvania Grade area accounts for 25 to 50 per cent of the high-grade lubricants produccd in the United States. Production Bradford Field The production figures quoted in Table I apply only to the part of the Bradford held that lies wholly within the state of Pennsylvania; approximately 15 per cent of the Bradford field is in Cattaraugus County, New York, and 10 per cent of the production is obtained from that sector. The Bradford-field production in 1941 was 12,729,900 bbl. as compared with a production in the year 1940 of 12,748,279 bbl., or a reduction of 18,379 bbl. The year 1941 represents the fourth successive year in which production in the Bradford field has declined. All of the production from the Bradford field is obtained by water-flooding methods and increases or decreases in production are due more to economic factors than to any physical limitations of the pool, inasmuch as additional drilling of water-intake and producing wells would increase the total production of the field. It is apparent that increased drilling of oil and water-intake wells does not take place except under stimulps of a favorable price; and while oil prices during 1941 were moderately favorable, they were not sufficient to prevent a mild decline. Too many wells were drilled in the Bradford field in 1937, but this was compensated by subnormal drilling activities in 1938 and 1939 and a large increase in 1940, The increase in 1941 over 1940 was about 7 per cent. The effect of new drilling is becoming less pronounced on a per well basis because more properties yielding less per acre are being drilled than were drilled in former years. Central and Southern Pennsylvania The production in central and southern Pennsylvania amounted to a total of

Jan 1, 1942

By John T. Galey

The outstanding developments of the year in southwestern Pennsylvania were the establishment of the Summit Fayette County gas pool and the gas pool in Nicholson township, Fayette County, and Monongahela township, Greene County, as major producing areas, and the indication of four new shallow gas pools. Curtailment of drilling for shallow gas is expected to follow order M68 of the Office of Production Management. Gas completions were approximately 70 per cent higher, oil completions nearly 25 per cent lower, dry holes were unchanged and drilling wells as of Dec. 31, 1941, nearly loo per cent higher than last year. Shallow Development Oil.—Outside Butler County, only 11 producers were drilled, with a total initial of 221 bbl. The best of these was in a portion of Gilmore township, Greene County, which ordinarily produces gas. This well flowed 77 bbl. in 11 hr., along with about one million cubic feet of gas from the Fourth (U.Dev.) sand. Washington County had a 10.20 and a 25-bbl. well in Morris township and a 20-bbl. well in South Franklin township. These were all in the Fifth Sand. The price of oil to Jan. 27 was $1.80 per barrel, when a 15¢ increase was made. This was followed by a raise of 20¢ on Apr. 23, 15¢ on May 21, 20¢ on June 18 and 25¢ on Aug. 14. The last increase was canceled on Aug. 23 by the Office of Price Administration, which pegged southwestern Pennsylvania crude at $2.40 per barrel. Gas.—An almost doubled initial production of natural gas is the result of the large increase in number of wells drilled. The outstanding discovery of the year was in the vicinity of Armbrust, Hempfield township, Westmoreland County, where a well drilled to what at first was considered the Bayard sand, but what is now known to be the Fifth (U.Dev.) sand, at 2100 ft. found nearly 5 million cu. ft. of gas. Since this completion 14 wells have been finished, only one of which was dry, giving a combined total open flow of approximately 15 million cu. ft. The sand is 35 to 40 ft. thick and the saturation extends through most of that thickness. Rock pressure, which is 1040 lb. per sq. in., is abnormally high. An area of only about one square mile has been proven but some of the 24 new wells drilling as of Dec. 31 will no doubt extend it considerably. This development has taken place in an area heretofore considered to have had little prospect. There were three good wells in other parts of Westmoreland County. One well in Franklin township, which had 12 million cu. ft, of gas in the Fifth sand, was entirely surrounded by dry holes but is still pro- . ducing at a high rate. In Bell township a 1.6 million cu. ft. well was found in the Speechley (U.Dev.) sand and in Washington township the same sand produced 2.7 million cu. ft. with shut-in pressure of 970 Ib. at 2820 ft. This well is offset by two dry holes and one well with a capacity of only 10 M cubic feet.

Jan 1, 1942