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By Alden B. Greninger, Alexander R. Troiano

The crystallographic mechanism for the austenite-to-martensite trensformation has been deduced from the results of the following new experimental determinations: (I) the accurate evaluation of the lattice relationship between austenite and individual crystals of martensite—and thus the relationship between the martensite lattice and the martensite plate, and (2) the measurement and analysis of the change in positions that a volume of austenite unclergoes when it transforms into a crystal of martensite. For the latter study, a new tool was developed, the stereographic analysis of shear. Lattice relationship.—Thirty-five separate 50-gram melts of an alloy containing about 22 per cent nickel and 0.8 per cent carbon were prepared in a high-vacuum furnace. This alloy is all-austenite at room temperature; grain size was about I cm. Specimens of the alloy were cooled to about — 70°C. to form a few martensite crystals, and suitable specimens were ground and polished on a surface parallel to a single martensite plate, exposing the martensite crystal for an area of 1 mm. or more. Four martensite cystals from four diffierent ingots were prepared in this manner; the largest crystal of this group is illuslratecl in Fig. I. Back-reflection Laue patterns were obtained from martensite crystals (and the matrix austenite) both before and after tempering. The locations of the basal-plane pole of martensite was checked by means of oscillating crystal X-ray patterns. All four crystals studied yielded the same solution ( ± 0.5°), and these relationships are expressed in gnomonic projection in Fig. 3.* The narrow dark-etching bands often visible in martensite "needles" were found to be parallel to (112) and thus are undoubtedly twin bands in the martensite crystal.

Jan 1, 1941

By Morris Cohen, William P. Kimball

This paper deals with the calculation of the composition of the infinitesimal trace of alloy that transfers from the liquid to the solid state at each temperature during the equilibrium solidification of a binary solid solution, and which thereby enables the compositions of the coexisting liquid and solid phases to follow along the liquidus and solidus lines respectively during the cooling. A general expressioll for the composition (6) of the liquid-to-solid transfer at each temperature has been derived: , = Zlxl{xl - P) + ZsXsiP - xs) [I] Zl(xl -P)+ Zs{P - xs) where ZL and Zs are the slopes of the liquidus and solidus lines at the given temperature, xl and xs are the compositions of the stable liquid and solid phases at the same temperature, and P is the composition of the alloy under consideration. The d equation is valid for the process of equilibrium heating as well as cooling, and may be applied to vapor-to-liquid, vapor-to-solid, liquid-to-liquid, and solid-to-solid transfers if the corresponding equilibrium diagrams are known. The d-versus-temperature curves for two alloys P1 and P2 are shown in Fig. I. In each case, the liquid-to-solid transfer has the same composition as the stable solid phase only at the temperature of the beginning of solidification, and has the same composition as the stable liquid phase only at the temperature of the completion of solidification. At each intermediate temperature, the composition of the liquid-to-solid transfer differs by a finite amount from those of the two coexisting phases. Therefore, during equilibrium cooling. the transfers must merge into the solid phase from the liquid without forming a transition phase; otherwise the condition of equilibrium would be violated. At any given temperature during solidification, the composition of the liquid-to-solid

Jan 1, 1941

By Walter Kauzmann

EyRing'S general theory of shear rates as a function of the properties of molecular units of flow is outlined and applied to the creep of metals. This theory regards the unit molecular processes involved in the flow of matter as typical chemical reactions requiring an energy of activation in order to proceed. The externally applied stresses are assumed to influence the rate of flow solely by lowering the activation energy for flow in one direction and raising that for flow in the other, owing to the work that is done by or against the external forces in going from the normal to the activated state. The rates of flow in the two directions are then no longer equal arid there is a net, macroscopically observable flow in one direction. This is understood to be the physical basis for the well-known exponential dependence of the creep rate on the stress. The amount by which the activation energy is raised and lowered by a given external stress is directly related to the molecular dimensions of the unit of flow, so that some insight into these call be found from the behavior of the strain rate with changing stress. When Eyring's equation is applied to the flow of ordinary liquids, such as water or benzene, it has been found from the values of the constants required to fit the observed data that the unit molecular process here involves the passage of single molecules by one another. In metallic creep, on the other hand, the unit molecular process is shown probably to involve the shear of rather large blocks of material (100 to 1000 or more atoms on a side). This agrees with present ideas of crystal flow by means of dislocations such as have been presented by Taylor, Oroaan, and Polanyi, as opposed to flow by a mechanism related to that taking place in atomic diffusion. The dimensions of the dislocations are found to depend markedly on the temperature. The questions of why some metals are so much softer than others, the effects of impurities on hardness, the softness of single crystals, and the role of self-diffusion in creep are considered in the light of the theory and it is shown how answers to these questions (and others similar) might be obtained by use of the theory.

Jan 1, 1941

By John Wulff

In a previous paper Burwell and Wulff1 have shown by electron diffraction studies that allotropic transformations can be induced in 18-8 stainless steel by polishing to a depth of about 5 X 10-5 cm. The development of a successful etching technique, which removes accountable amounts of metal from the surface without pitting and without changing the root-mean-square profile as measured with an Abbot pro-filometer, led to the application of the whole technique and material to an investigation of various mechanical methods of surface preparation, such as grinding, lapping, superfinishing and cold-rolling. Ideally suited to such a study is 18-8 of low carbon and nitrogen content. The material can be heat-treated to produce a coarse-grained single-phase structure. On cold deformation there occurs not only a reduction in grain size but, at regions of maximum stress, a change of face-centered material to body-centered material, provided the metal is worked below about 200°C. When worked between 200"about and 415°C., diffraction studies evidence a reduction in grain size without the appearance of any new body-centered ferrite. Ferrite, which can be referred also to strains induced by carbide precipitation, is evident when the material is worked at temperatures between 4150 and 800°C. Stainless steel is advantageous because the usual surface-finishing operations do not readily oxidize it to any appreciable depth. In order to produce detectable oxide films on the surface of austenitic 18-8 in a time equivalent to that required to produce, for example, a fine ground finish on 1/2 sq. in., the sample must be held in a furnace or oxygen stream above 600°C. By using longer heating times, it is possible to achieve measurable oxide films on samples , whose surface temperatures exceed only about 250°C. Experimental Procedure The apparatus, material, and technique described in the previous paper1 were employed in this investigation. Samples of 18-8, I by I cm. by 4 mm., were carefully annealed in the austenitic range to produce a coarse-grained structure. They were then quenched and pickled to remove scale, On a lapping machine of the Graton2 type, both sides of each sample were polished to a a of 1/6 a wave length of sodium D light. Thereafter they were electrolytically etched to remove at least 1 X 10-3 cm. of the surface, a depth that is well below that of any defermations induced by surface preparation. samples of this material, carefully mounted in steel holders, were then sent to various industrial organizations known for special finishing techniques. In the instrue ment shops at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology check samples were finished by the same methods, as far as they were available. Abbot profilometer3 readings Were made on all the samples, which were then carefully degreased in double distilled benzine and alcohol, dried in a hot-filtered air blast, and kept in a desiccator. SUC-

Jan 1, 1941

By H. K. Shearer

Oil production in north Louisianat in 1939 was 25,249,640 bbl., a decrease of 11.2 per cent from 1938. The only important increases in production were in the Cotton Valley and Shreveport fields, but Caddo, Homer, Sligo and Zwolle also made slight gains. Greatest decreases were in the Lisbon and Rodessa fields. Xatural gas production of 313,333 million cu. ft. was an increase of 5.6 per cent over 1938. The increase was accounted for in the Monroe field, while all other fields showed only minor variations from the production of the previous year. Well completions in 1939, as compared with 1938, were as follows: The decline in number of completions was due entirely to lack of proved areas for drilling, and would have been greater except for a revival of interest in the old Caddo shallow field. A majority of the wells completed during the year were in various old, shallow fields, so the average depth of drilling was much less than in several preceding years, notwithstanding a few very deep tests. No new fields were discovered, the only wildcat well reported as a producer being a very small oil well in northwestern De Soto Parish, which is of no apparent commercial importance. Deep gas-distillate production in the Cotton Valley formation was opened at Lake Bistineau and Lisbon, and oil at Shongaloo, but all these wells were too small to encourage additional drilling. Extensions and Developments Caddo Field.—More active drilling was donc in the 36-year old Caddo field in 1939 than in any of the newer fields, with completion of 133 oil

Jan 1, 1940

By J. Brian Eby

The Gulf Coast area of Louisiana enjoyed a particularly active and profitable year in 1939. Fifteen new producing structures were located and approximately sixty new producing sand horizons in old fields were opened in that period of time. The most important new discoveries are the Eola field, Avoyelles Parish, and the Paradis, St. Charles Parish. The Eola strike was indicated during December 1938, but the well was not placed on production until January 1939. Eola is particularly important because it was the first discovery of oil in a commercial quantity in the Wilcox formation in that area. Sid Richardson, of Ft. Worth, Texas, drilled the first well on the Haas Investment Company's property, which encountered the producing sand at a little below 8500 ft. Within the year 48 wells were drilled, 42 being commercial producers and 6 dry holes. The second most favorable discovery was the Paradis field, which was discovered by The Texas Company's Louisiana Land and Exploration Company's Paradis No. 1 well, in St. Charles Parish, just west of New Orleans. Detailed information concerning this field has not yet been made available but it is reported that the oil sand is as much as 175 ft. thick. The initial production indicated was 1750 bbl. daily and reports suggest a very large structure. In Calcasieu Parish the Humble Oil and Refining Company's Edge-wood Land No. 1 discovered gas in the Oligocene at a total depth of 7042 ft., in the Perkins area. Although two additional dry holes have been drilled in this prospect, it is still believed to have some merit. A new discovery is credited to Cameron Parish with the finding of Miocene oil in the Superior Oil Company's State No. 1 well in Grand Lake. The Chalkley field, Cameron Parish, is credited as a 1938 discovery but was largely developed in 1939 into one of the more important new fields. During the year 13 wells were drilled, 8 being oil wells and 5 dry holes. The oil is found in the Oligocene at depths of approximately 9000 feet.

Jan 1, 1940

By Theron Wasson

Michigan has had another record year. Its production has been maintained by the development of fields discovered in 1938. Two minor fields were listed as discoveries in 1939. These are in the southwestern part of the state, where the greatest drilling activity took place. During the year 1465 tests were completed, of which 828 were oil wells, 56 gas wells and 581 dry holes. The four southwestern counties—Allegan, Ottawa, Kent and Van Buren—had 1077 tests drilled, while nine other southwestern counties had 70 tests, making a total of 1147 for this part of the state, 78 per cent of all drilled during the year. Michigan's production of 23,400,000 bbl. during 1939, equal to an average daily production of 64,110 bbl., exceeded 1938 by 4,655,000 bbl., thus establishing another annual record, which brought the cumulative amount for the state to a little over 125,000,000 barrels. A map showing location of Michigan oil and gas fields was published in the TRansactions in 1939 (Vol. 132, p. 353). Active Oil Fields.—The Walker field, near Grand Rapids, Kent County, had a rapid development during the year. Traverse limestone production was discovered here in September 1938, and development has been rapid during 1939. At the end of the year 5500 acres have been proved by drilling. The Traverse limestone is found in Walker field at a depth of about 1810 ft. The Temple field, Clare County, was the most active in Central Michigan. Its production is from the Monroe dolomite at a depth of 3890 ft. In this field 2500 acres have been proved by 125 producing wells. Michigan's largest producer for 1939 was drilled in the Temple field, with a rated potential of 8760 bbl. per day. The Wise field, Wise township, Isabella County, discovered in 1938, had a steady and orderly development because the operators agreed on a staggered 20-acre spacing program. So far 760 acres have been proved for production from the Dundee limestone, found at 3650 feet. Active Gas Fields.—The most active areas in which drilling was done during the past year for gas were the Freeman and Lincoln fields in Clare County, the Clayton field of Arenac County, and the Home field of

Jan 1, 1940

By H. M. Morse

Tinsley Oil Field.—Mississippi joined the oil-producing states when on Sept. 13, 1939, the Union Producing Company's G. C. Woodruff well No. 1, sec. 13, T. 10 N., R. 3 W., Yazoo County, was completed after drilling plug at 4540 ft. in the Woodruff sand of the Eutaw formation of Cretaceous, producing 300 bbl. per day of 34.4" gravity oil through a ¼-in. choke, with a gas-oil ratio of 80 to 1 and bottom-hole pressure of 2045 lb. This was the discovery well in the Tinsley oil field. The well was drilled to a total depth of 4567 ft. and no salt water was encountered. The sand underlies the Selma chalk formation. Nine producing oil wells and one dry hole were drilled and completed by the end of 1939. Two producing sands have been found in the Eutaw and a third sand in the top of the Tuscaloosa formation, called the Woodbine sand in Louisiana and Texas. Faulting is an important factor in the Tinsley field. Total oil production has been approximately 250,000 bbl. from the nine flowing wells. Total depth to top of productive zone was 4540 ft.; to bottoms of productive wells, 4580 ft. Net thickness of the producing formation is 20 to 40 ft., and its porosity is 24 per cent. The deepest zone tested was the Tuscaloosa, in which the depth of hole was 6112 feet. Six hundred and forty acres has been proved for oil production. Jackson Gas Field.—The Jackson gas field has shown a steady decline in the number of wells but the pressure has been maintained. This field is a perfect example of a water-driven field and the time of wells going to salt water is predictable. Five wells were drilled in the Jackson field, of which only one produced. Amory Gas Field.—Interest was renewed in the Amory gas field, where a new well was started in the fall of 1939. Geological Formations.—The deepest well drilled in 1939 was the Willmut Gas and Oil Company's Cleve Love S. F. Johnson No. 1, sec. 29, T. 6 N., R. 1 W., Hinds County. This well encountered the Lower Cretaceous, Trinity series from 3770 to 6422 ft.; Lower Mesozoic from 6422 to 6484 ft. The geological correlations and nomenclature of the formations in Mississippi are shown in the accompanying strati-graphic section.

Jan 1, 1940

By Frank C. Greene

Drilling in Missouri in 1939 was marked by wildcatting in the northern half of the state. The total completions numbered 82, exactly half the 164 of 1938. There were 15 gas wells with an initial open flow of 6,383,150 cu. ft., 4 oil wells with about 40 bbl. initial production, and 63 dry holes. The wildcatting followed the widely publicized leasing activity in the Forrest City Basin in northwestern Missouri, northeastern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. It is worth noting that

Jan 1, 1940

By A. Andreas

New Mexico, after several years as the sixth ranking oil-producing state, was surpassed by Illinois and for 1939 ranks seventh in the United States. Oil production for 1939 was 36,746,840 bbl. Production for 1938 was 35,510,176 bbl., a gain of 0.033 per cent. Production for the year would have been greater had there been a pipe-line outlet for the Vacuum field. The complete shutdown during the latter part of August covering a period of 15 days meant a production loss of over 1,500,000 bbl. of oil. Daily production allowable as set by the Oil Conservation Commission has followed very closely the recommendations of the Bureau of Mines. It has been found that the recommended allowables as quoted by the Bureau of Mines do not always reflect the actual demand, as there is a considerable lag hetween the recommended amounts and the current demands. During the year the various operating companies have done considerable remedial work in setting packers to reduce the gas-oil ratios in the various fields. Six new fields were discovered in New Mexico during 1939; three in Lea County, two in Eddy County and one in Chaves County. In the early part of 1939 a committee composed of the various engineers and geologists recommended subdividing the old Artesia area into various producing pools. This division was accepted, therefore the total number of producing fields in New Mexico is considerably greater than the number of fields in 1938, but does not represent new fields discovered during the year. The southeastern area continues to he the largest producer of oil. During the year 2,716,551 bbl. were produced in Eddy County and 33,690,996 bbl. in Lea County. Total production ill the northwestern part of the state, which includes San ,Juan and McKinley Counties, was 338,293 bbl. At the beginning of the year the daily average nonmarginal well allowable for Lea County was 48 bbl. At the close of the year it was 49 bbl. The daily average production for the year was 97,313 bbl. During the year, 659 wells were drilled in the state, of which 565 were producing oil wells, 15 gas wells, 6 carbon dioxide gas wells and 73 dry holes. Summarized at meeting; manuscript received at the office of the Institute March 18, 1940. * State Geologist, member of New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jan 1, 1940

By C. A. Hartnagel

In 1939 the production of crude oil in New York totaled 5,105,000 bbl. This marks the third consecutive year production of crude oil has exceeded 5,000,000 bbl. and only once has this total been surpassed—in the year 1882, three years after the discovery of oil in Allegany County, when the annual production was more than 6,000,000 barrels. The most gratifying feature of the industry was the increased demand for lubricants, which resulted in advanced prices for crude. From a price at the beginning of the year of $1.68 per barrel, six advances totaling 82c brought the year's closing to $2.50 per barrel. A further increase in price on Jan. 1, 1940, to $2.75 per barrel places the local industry in a strong position for the year's operations. Most of the oil production of the state is now obtained by water-flooding, and the industry is practically stabilized. No new pools have been discovered in over 25 years, and border drilling indicates little prospect of extending the boundaries of the fields beyond their present limits. Deep drilling to the Oriskany sandstone in and close to the present oil fields hay failed to find oil in substantial amounts. Altogether, the oil pools of New York have produced during the 60 years that they have been exploited approximately 125,000,000 bbl. of oil. Following the flush production of 1882, the annual production gradually dccrcased and the year 1912 marked an all-time low of only 782,000 bbl. In 1919, as a result of flooding operations, a definite upward trend in oil production was recorded. During that year also the production of oil by water-flooding methods as approved by Legislative action. In the 21-yr. period beginning with 1919, oil production in the state ha.: totaled 60,338,000 bbl. Thus it will be seen that by the aid of flooding methods nearly as much oil has been produced in the last 21 yr. as in the preceding 40 yr., although the Iatter period included the flush production in 1882. As there is little hope of extending the area of the present producing oil fields of the state, producers and refiners are concerned regarding the future life of the fields. It is encouraging to observe that earlier esti- Published by permission of Director of New York State Museum, Albany, N. P. Summarized at meeting; manuscript received at the office of the Institute March 20. 1940.

Jan 1, 1940

By J. E. Schaffer

Drilling activity in Ohio increased slightly in 1939. There were 1020 completions as compared to 910 in 1938. During the past six years the number of completions has varied little (Table 1). Oil production in Ohio has been gradually declining since 1896, when the peak production of 23,941,000 bbl. was reached (Fig. 1). Since that date production has slowly declined to an estimated production in 1939 of 3,144,134 bbl., the lowest in 53 years. This total production is divided approximately into the following grades of crude oil: Pennsylvania, 1,185,456 bbl.; Corning, 1,261,615 Flg 1. bbl.; Lima, 578,500 bbl.; Lodi, Based on figures of U. S. .Bureau of 104,740 bbl.; Cleveland, 13,823 Mines and Oil andGas Journal bbl. Table 2 shows the prices paid for the various grades of crude oil.

Jan 1, 1940

By Thomas Brownfield

The chronicle of the oil industry in Oklahoma in 1939 is one of declining production bolstered by strenuous efforts to find new pools or new producing horizons in the older, highly exploited, relatively shallow areas. Production, which averaged 608,000 bbl. daily in 1937, the post-depression peak, declined to 463,000 bbl. daily in 1938 and continued downward to 421,000 bbl. daily for the year 1939. While the state could produce somewhat more oil if demand warranted it, production in most areas is at as great a rate as could be justified on the basis of maximum efficient operation. Outlet for Oklahoma crude has been seriously affected by the increase in production in the Illinois Basin. Crude movements from the Kansas-Oklahoma area to the northeastern consuming centers averaged 314,000 bbl. daily in 1939 as compared with 397,000 bbl. in 1938. Oklahoma producers bore the brunt of this loss of market. The general production decline was accentuated by the August, shutdown of 15 days, precipitated by the action of a major crude purchaser posting a 20-cent reduction in the price of crude. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, in collaboration with other members of the Interstate Oil Compact Commission, ordered a complete shutdown of all producing wells in order to prevent the premature abandonment of stripper wells, which might result from a prolonged period of production at prices below operating costs. The reduction in price was forestalled, most major purchasers failing to meet the cut in view of the shutdown, and the company initiating the move rescinded its action. Fear of the shutting in of oil wells, especially those making considerable quantities of water, is generally unfounded in the light of a superficial examination of the records. Oklahoma's unprorated pools, which produced 154,000 bbl. daily in May, declined to 152,000 bbl. in June and 143,000 bbl. in July. Immediately following the shutdown, the same pools produced 150,000 bbl. in September, 145,000 in October, and 145,-000 in November. Thus, while the half month's production loss in August has not been made up, the wells apparently hare produced at a greater rate since the shutdown than immediately preceding it.

Jan 1, 1940

By Arthur C. Simmons

Oil production and activity in northern and central Pennsylvania was slightly less in 1939 than in the previous year, but owing to higher average prices 1939 was undoubtedly a better business year. The last quarter showed markedly increased activities throughout all of the Pennsylvania fields. Production, Stocks and Price Storage of Pennsylvania crude oil at pipe lines and refineries totaled 5,413,000 bbl. on Dec. 31, 1938, and declined during the year 1,124,000 bbl. to a total of 4,319,000 bbl. at the end of 1939. The stocks of crude at the end of the year represent the lowest point reached in Pennsylvania-grade crude storage in recent years. Stocks increased slightly during April, May and June, but decreased during all other months of 1939. The Bradford field production within the state of Pennsylvania averaged 35,340 bbl. per day throughout 1939, which represents a decrease of 1419 bbl. a day from the 1938 average. The production in central and southern Pennsylvania increased 1176 bbl. per day, averaging 12,159 bbl. throughout 1939. Table 1 includes annual production for the part of Bradford field situated within the state of Pennsylvania, for central and southern Pennsylvania, and for the entire state of Pennsylvania. A definite segregation of production between the Bradford field and central and southern Pennsylvania is slightly ambiguous because a portion of the oil from the newly discovered Music Mountain pool is included statistically in each area. In all probability the entire increase and some small addition to the production from southern Pennsylvania can be attributed to oil produced from the Music Mountain pool. Within the Bradford field, six price changes occurred throughout the year. At the beginning of 1939 the price of Bradford crude oil was $1.80 per barrel, whereas by the end of the year it had risen to $2.50. The weighted average price for Bradford crude during 1939 was $2.059 per barrel.

Jan 1, 1940

By John T. Galey

In all, 210 wellst were completed in southwestern Pennsylvania during 1939, which is 59 more than were drilled during the preceding year. Of this number, 137 were gas wells, which is a considerable increase from the 81 completed during 1938. Only 25 oil wells were completed, as against 28 in the previous year, and 28 dry holes, 6 more than last year. Shallow Development—Gas The increase in the number of gas wells is largely the result of a search for additional gas in Armstrong and Indiana Counties. Although a considerable number of wells were drilled in the latter county, the majority of them produced less than 100 M cu. ft. initial open flow. In Armstrong County, a new pool was opened in Cowanshannock township, producing from the third Bradford sand. Several large wells were obtained there, one of which produced an initial of nearly 12 million cu. ft., with a reservoir pressure of 1100 Ib. However, the productive area has been fairly well outlined by further drilling and shows that the pool covers only about 800 acres. The sand is 20 to 30 ft. thick, and probably has 5 to 6 ft. of pay. Thus this reserve is not an important one. Several wells were found in Menallen township, Fayette County, where the Big Injun sand has been having a play for the past three years, but the activity there is much less than a year ago. Oil On the west side of the Bradford sand gas pool, Cowanshannock township, Armstrong County, a well was drilled which flowed 100 bbl. the first day from the Tiona sand. The probability is that this well is a freak, as the Tiona has been drilled within a fairly close distance on every

Jan 1, 1940

By C. E. Shoenfelt

The year 1939 witnessed the rapid development of several of the more important Rocky Mountain oil and gas areas and the discovery of new oil and gas fields. As a further result of an active year, many oil fields had their productive limits greatly extended or responded to deeper drilling with oil production in lower horizons. In Colorado there was a substantial increase in refinery capacity, with three new units constructed. Its contribution to the crude-oil supply was an important extension of the producing area of a Western Slope field and a deeper oil-producing horizon in an old field east of the Front Range. Occurrences of gas were reported in two wells in northwestern Colorado, but severe winter weather prevented tests and the value of these discoveries cannot be determined at this time. Montana's northern fields were extended and a number of record wells were completed. The North Cut Bank area gives promise of wide expansion in 1940. The gas-producing area of Wyoming's Elk Basin field was extended into Montana on the north plunge of the anticline. The most important developments in Wyoming oil fields in 1939 were extensions to the producing area of Lance Creek and the discovery of a deeper pay in the Tensleep formation at Wertz dome. A new gas field at Horn Valley in the south central part of the state was the only new field discovered, but wildcatting was at low ebb in Wyoming in 1939. Colorado In Colorado, the year 1939 saw the completion of several interesting tests, but largely with negative results. Oil was discovered, however, in a deeper sand in the old Fort Collins field and the productive area of the Wilson Creek field was extended. Gas had been noted in two Western Slope wells, at Yellowjacket-Buford and at Trull, but their volumes had not been determined at the end of the year. Of principal interest, however, were the failures, descriptions of which will be given presently. One of these established a new depth record for Colorado.

Jan 1, 1940

By Kendall F. Born

Production of crude oil in Tennessee during 1939 was slightly more than 51,000 bbl., an increase of about 10,000 bbl. over 1938. The product,ion by counties and by fields is shown in Table 1. The increased production has rcsulted from continued activity in the Upper Cumberland district, especially in Clay County, where approximately 37,000 bbl. were marketed off the lease. This figure includes a single well in the old Tinsleys Bottom pool on the Clay-Jackson County line, although the well is in Jackson County. The "Mississippi lime" produced 10,811 bbl. in Scott and Morgan Counties, a decrease of 2568 bbl. from the 1938 production. Production during the year from some half-dozen scattered wells in eastern Clay, Pickctt, and Fentress Counties, on which there are no accurate figures, is estimated at 1000 barrels.

Jan 1, 1940

By D. V. Carter, Dan C. Williams, Franklin M. Hackbusch

During 1939 little of consequence happened in East and East Central Texas in the way of oil discoveries. At the end of the year, there were 47 oil and gas fields in the district. Twelve other fields, 11 oil and one gas, have been abandoned. The ranking fields in order of the number of completions for the year were East Texas, Talco, and Rodessa (Texas portion). There were 511 oil wells (distillate wells included), 32 gas wells, and 257 dry holes completed in the district. Exploration, Discoveries and Extensions During the year, 113 exploratory wells were drilled, the same number as in 1938; four oil fields and one gas-distillate field were discovered. Perhaps the most important discovery, which has been named Barron field, was that of M. Samuel et al., No. 1 Barron in Limestone County. The wells in this field are of the gas-distillate type. Other than the Talco and Sulphur Bluff fields, which produce oil from the Paluxy sand (Upper Trinity), this is the first field on the Corsicana-Mexia fault zone to obtain commercial production from deeper Trinity strata. This "pay" is the Petit lime of the Lower Glen Rose of the Trinity group. The four oil discoveries were: Redland, Angelina County; Bazette, Henderson County; Rowe and Baker, Henderson County; and Marion County Shallow in Marion County. It is believed that the Bazette field, Navarro County, represents an extension of the Flag Lake field. For details concerning discoveries, extensions and important wildcat wells drilled during 1939 see Table 2. Production and Proration The district produced 175,053,729 bbl. of oil (distillate production included) which is a decrease of 4.0 per cent from the 182,369,484 bbl. (distillate production included) produced during 1938. The district's production for the year 1937 was 208,594,453 bbl. The East Texas

Jan 1, 1940

By Perry Olcott

The Texas Gulf Coast had a rather disappointing year in the type of oil fields found. Although 17 fields were found in the area during the year, as against 21 fields in 1938, no field of major proportion was discovered. Of these 17 fields, 11 were oil fields, 4 were gas and distillate fields, and 2 were gas fields. The wildcat activity for the year resulted in about 400 dry holes, although probably 10 per cent of these were edge wells close to proved areas. During the year, 1455 oil and gas wells were completed as compared to 1637 wells in 1938, a decrease of 11 per cent. Production for the Texas Gulf Coast area for the year was 100,253,937 bbl. as against 92,530,467 bbl. produced in 1938, an increase of 8 per cent. The daily average production was 274,668 bbl. for the 365 days in the year, although only 252 producing days were allowed by the Railroad Commission; that is, 69 per cent of the time as compared to 71 days shut in for 80 per cent of the time producing in 1938. The total number of oil and distillate wells producing at the end of 1939 was 9495 as against 8451 at the end of 1938—an increase of 1044 wells, or 12 per cent. Of these wells, 6547 were flowing and 2948 pumping, or 69 per cent flowing. At the end of the previous year, 66 per cent of the wells were flowing. New Fields Angleton, Brazoria County.—The Angleton field was discovered by the completion of Glen McCarthy's No. 1 Carr in October for an initial production of 180 bbl. a day of 50" gravity oil through 11/64-in. choke with 3400 Ib. on tubing. The field is 1½ miles east of the town of Anchor. The discovery undoubtedly can be credited to the reflection seismograph, since several companies worked the area from 1933 onward with this type of exploration. The principal block was taken by the Humble company in 1934. Two deep holes by Humble revealed the presence of structure, although both were dry. The Humble and Sun companies later contributed money and acreage toward the drilling of the discovery well. The production is from a sand in the Frio, about 1700 ft.

Jan 1, 1940

By Lewis W. MacNaughton

The North Texas district, as herein defined, includes the counties of Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Foard, Hardeman, Knox, Montague, Wichita, and Wilbarger. This area covers generally the crest and south flank of a system of buried mountains known as the Red River uplift. The oil and gas accumulations along this feature arc in traps, which, although localized by structures incident to the regional uplift, are usually modified by stratigraphic changes in the sediments. Excepting the fields in southeastern Baylor, southern Archer, and southwestern Clay counties, all the fields within the district are on this Red River uplift. These exceptions, which have the same type of oil and gas accumulation as the other fields, are on the extreme north end of the Bend arch, which is a broad anticline plunging northward from the Llano uplift in central Texas to Archer County. The larger part of past oil and gas production has come from Pennsylvanian strata, with less important amounts from the Permian, and minor but increasingly important quantities from the Ordovician. Developments during 1939 With the later stages of development being reached in the K.M.A. field during the first half of the year, some 400 fewer producing wells were drilled in North Texas in 1939 than in 1938, when some 1750 wells were drilled. Despite this decrease in activity, production in 1939 increased about 3½ million barrels over 1938 figures, and at the end of the year the oil reserves were somewhat larger than on the first of the year. As is usually characteristic of the district, this resulted from the discovery of a large number of relatively unimportant fields. Owing principally to no appreciable abatement in wildcat drilling, more new fields and extensions to old fields were discovered this year. Although none of these discoveries was of such magnitude as to be important to the oil industry, the new developments in Montague and Cooke Counties portend greater and probably more important operations in these areas.

Jan 1, 1940