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By Robert G. Reno, Ralph E. Esarey

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 E. W. Krampert

The oil industry was very active in Wyoming in 1936, in contrast to the several quiet years preceding. Production for the year again increased about 7 per cent, following an 8 per cent increase in 1935. During the year, 85 oil wells were completed, compared to 55 in 1935. Three gas wells were completed in 1936, and three in 1935. At the end of the year 45 wells were drilling, as compared to 55 drilling at the end of 1935. Two new oil fields and one new gas field were discovered in Wyoming during the year. In the year 1936 Wyoming produced 14,475,431 bbl. of oil, a gain of 1,001,081 bbl. over the 1935 figure of 13,474,350. This increase, in the main, was due to the taking of light oil from the newly developed Sundance sand pool at Lance Creek, and from the new fields, Quealy and Medicine Bow, which contributed their first production this year. Most of the other old fields either were partly shut in in competition with the new fields, or showed a normal decline. This was especially noticeable in the black-oil fields, where production had been slowly but steadily increasing for a number of years. During 1936 black-oil production decreased approximately 100,000 bbl. as compared to 1935. The only black-oil field to show marked increase was Garland, which managed to take the market from less favorably located fields. The production of Wyoming in 1936 was 11,358,757 bbl. of light oil and 3,116,674 bbl. of black oil. Salt Creek, with a production of 6,015,000 bbl., is still the largest single oil-producing field, accounting for 42 per cent of the year's total production. Lance Creek, an old field, with newly developed production in the Sundance sand, reached second place this year for the first time in its history, with a production of 1,878,486 bbl. Lance Creek production will almost equal that of Salt Creek in 1937, if the present rate of production is maintained during the coming year. Oregon Basin, a large black-oil field, held second place in 1935, but owing to a greatly lessened demand for its production, dropped back to third place in 1936. This was in part due to greatly increased light oil available, and in part to the greater supply of black oil available at

Jan 1, 1937

By Charles W. Carter, Alfred H. Bell

In 1942, Illinois produced 106,590,000 bbl. of crude oil, or 7.6 per cent of the entire amount produced in the United States. It ranked fifth among the oil- producing states. The production for 1942 declined 20.5 per cent from the previous year's total of 134,139,000 bbl. Tie daily average production for 1942 was approximately 292,000 bbl., or 74,000 bbl; less than the 366,000 daily average for 1941. At the beginning of 1942 the daily production was 367,000 bbl. This production declined steadily to 282,000 for June and to 246,000 for December. This steady decline was caused partly by the reduction in drilling resulting from Federal Conservation Order M-68 and partly by the fact that no major pool was found during the year. Discoveries Forty new fields (Fig. 2, Table 2), 48 extensions (Table 3), and 45 additional producing zones in existing fields (Table 4) Were discovered in 23 counties in Illinois during 1942. Of the 40 new fields, three

Jan 1, 1943

By Alfred H. Bell, Charles W. Carter

In 1942, Illinois produced 106,590,000 bbl. of crude oil, or 7.6 per cent of the entire amount produced in the United States. It ranked fifth among the oil- producing states. The production for 1942 declined 20.5 per cent from the previous year's total of 134,139,000 bbl. Tie daily average production for 1942 was approximately 292,000 bbl., or 74,000 bbl; less than the 366,000 daily average for 1941. At the beginning of 1942 the daily production was 367,000 bbl. This production declined steadily to 282,000 for June and to 246,000 for December. This steady decline was caused partly by the reduction in drilling resulting from Federal Conservation Order M-68 and partly by the fact that no major pool was found during the year. Discoveries Forty new fields (Fig. 2, Table 2), 48 extensions (Table 3), and 45 additional producing zones in existing fields (Table 4) Were discovered in 23 counties in Illinois during 1942. Of the 40 new fields, three

Jan 1, 1943

By Raymond D. Sloan

Dropping from third position among the oil-producing states of the nation in 1942, Oklahoma ranked fourth in 1943 with a total output of 121,431,ooo bbl., a decline of 11.9 per cent from the previous year's total of 137,792,000 bbl. Production ranged from a maximum of 346,900 bbl. daily in February to a low of 322,800 bbl. daily in October, and at the close of the year was averaging 330,000 bbl. daily from 52,096 wells, or an average of 6.3 bbl. per well. The state's well, average at the close of 1942 amounted to 6.7 bbl. At the turn of the year, it appeared reasonable to assume that Oklahoma's producing rate would continue its downward trend during 1944 unless reversed by greater than normal discoveries. To Jan. I, 1944, Oklahoma has produced 5,188,466,-ooo bbl. of crude oil. Development and Exploration A total of 1287 wells was drilled in 1943, representing an increase of 77 wells, or 6.4 per cent over the preceding year's total of 1210. Of the wells completed, 587 (45.6 per cent) were oil wells with an average initial production of 319 bbl.; 127 (9.9 per cent) were gas wells with an average initial of 8,639,000 cu. ft.; and 573 (44.5 per cent) were dry. A total of 333 wildcats was drilled (25.9 per cent of all wells), an increase of 13 (4.1 per cent) over the 1942 total of 320. Of the*wildcats drilled, 46 (13.8 per cent) were oil wells with an average initial production of 235 bbl.; 27 (8.1 per cent) were gas wells with an average initial of 8,249,-ooo cu. ft.; and 260 (78.1 per cent) were recorded as failures. Reconditioning of wells throughout the state led to a total recompletion of 230 wells. Of these, 131 were oil wells with a combined initial production of 8360 bbl., 31 were gas wells with a total initial of 211,950,000 cu. ft., and 68 were abandoned. The 46 successful wildcats opened 33 new producing areas, one of which produced from three separate horizons, and led to the development of production in new horizons in 11 old pools. While none of the 1943 discoveries have as yet developed into what might be termed major pools, the West Moore pool, in Cleveland County, and the West Edmond pool, in Oklahoma County, are the two outstanding new areas opened to production. The West Moore pool, sec. 29, 10 N., 3 W., discovered in December 1943, was completed for an initial production of 248 bbl. of oil in 3 hr. through small tubing chokes in the second Wilcox sand from 8787 to 8800 ft. One well was drilling in this area at the close of the year. The West Edmond pool, an April discovery in sec. 32, 14 N 4 W., is producing from the Hunton lime at a depth of approximately 6950 ft., the world's deepest Hunton lime pool. To the end of the year, 15 oil wells had been completed, with no gas wells and no failures. Accumulated production to Jan. I, 1944, amounted to 474,300 bbl. of 41" gravity oil. There were 29 active operations in the field at the end of the year. The West Edmond and West Moore pool discoveries established the first commercial production west of the Granite Ridge,

Jan 1, 1944

By Raymond D. Sloan

Dropping from third position among the oil-producing states of the nation in 1942, Oklahoma ranked fourth in 1943 with a total output of 121,431,ooo bbl., a decline of 11.9 per cent from the previous year's total of 137,792,000 bbl. Production ranged from a maximum of 346,900 bbl. daily in February to a low of 322,800 bbl. daily in October, and at the close of the year was averaging 330,000 bbl. daily from 52,096 wells, or an average of 6.3 bbl. per well. The state's well, average at the close of 1942 amounted to 6.7 bbl. At the turn of the year, it appeared reasonable to assume that Oklahoma's producing rate would continue its downward trend during 1944 unless reversed by greater than normal discoveries. To Jan. I, 1944, Oklahoma has produced 5,188,466,-ooo bbl. of crude oil. Development and Exploration A total of 1287 wells was drilled in 1943, representing an increase of 77 wells, or 6.4 per cent over the preceding year's total of 1210. Of the wells completed, 587 (45.6 per cent) were oil wells with an average initial production of 319 bbl.; 127 (9.9 per cent) were gas wells with an average initial of 8,639,000 cu. ft.; and 573 (44.5 per cent) were dry. A total of 333 wildcats was drilled (25.9 per cent of all wells), an increase of 13 (4.1 per cent) over the 1942 total of 320. Of the*wildcats drilled, 46 (13.8 per cent) were oil wells with an average initial production of 235 bbl.; 27 (8.1 per cent) were gas wells with an average initial of 8,249,-ooo cu. ft.; and 260 (78.1 per cent) were recorded as failures. Reconditioning of wells throughout the state led to a total recompletion of 230 wells. Of these, 131 were oil wells with a combined initial production of 8360 bbl., 31 were gas wells with a total initial of 211,950,000 cu. ft., and 68 were abandoned. The 46 successful wildcats opened 33 new producing areas, one of which produced from three separate horizons, and led to the development of production in new horizons in 11 old pools. While none of the 1943 discoveries have as yet developed into what might be termed major pools, the West Moore pool, in Cleveland County, and the West Edmond pool, in Oklahoma County, are the two outstanding new areas opened to production. The West Moore pool, sec. 29, 10 N., 3 W., discovered in December 1943, was completed for an initial production of 248 bbl. of oil in 3 hr. through small tubing chokes in the second Wilcox sand from 8787 to 8800 ft. One well was drilling in this area at the close of the year. The West Edmond pool, an April discovery in sec. 32, 14 N 4 W., is producing from the Hunton lime at a depth of approximately 6950 ft., the world's deepest Hunton lime pool. To the end of the year, 15 oil wells had been completed, with no gas wells and no failures. Accumulated production to Jan. I, 1944, amounted to 474,300 bbl. of 41" gravity oil. There were 29 active operations in the field at the end of the year. The West Edmond and West Moore pool discoveries established the first commercial production west of the Granite Ridge,

Jan 1, 1944

By J. D. Wheeler, H. W. Mathews

The increased activity in West Texas, which started in 1933, has continued through 1936 at a constantly accelerated rate. During 1936 there were 1442 wells completed in the area as compared with 700 in 1935 and 468 in 1934. Of these completions, 1313 were producers with a total 24-hr. potential in excess of 1,750,000 bbl. From among the 1442 wells, eight are considered to be discovery wells for new West Texas fields. New Fields Bennett.—The Bennett field, which added Yoakum County to the oil-producing counties of West Texas, was actually indicated as an oil-producing area during 1935, but the discovery well, Honolulu Oil Corporation, Ltd. and Cascade Petroleum Company's Bennett No. l, was not given a production test until April 1936. The discovery well made 15 bbl. per hour through 3/4-in. choke with a plugged-back total depth of 5264 ft. First oil in the hole was from 5088 to 5090 ft., which is several hundred feet below the top of Permian lime. Producing limits of the field are unknown, as the second test had not reached the pay at the close of the year. Henderson.—-To date indications are that the Henderson pool, in northern Winkler County, is the most prolific area opened during 1936. This field, which lies to the north of the old Hendrick pool, is producing from the same reef-type dolomitic lime producing in the older field. The Henderson field was opened by the completion of R. H. Henderson, J. B. Walton-Humble 1-A in April 1936 for a natural flow of 2306 bbl. per day through tubing. Total depth of the discovery well is 3049 ft. Later development has indicated the productive area to be a rather narrow zone running slightly west of north. Present area of from 1000 to 1500 acres has been proved for production. Keys and Emperor.—The Keys and Emperor pools in the belt of sand pools running across Winkler County appeared for the first time on State proration schedules during 1936. This report considers these pools as links in joining the belt of sand production across Winkler County, for

Jan 1, 1937

By E. A. Koester

Kansas produced approximately 35,434,000 bbl. of oil in 1932 compared to 37,018,000 bbl. in 1931, a decrease of 1,584,000 bbl. or 4.2 per cent. These figures do not indicate the amount of oil that could have been made available from the state for the year. Many of the fields discovered during the year and some discovered in previous years were entirely shut in. Practically all flush production discovered within the last two years has been prorated in some manner or other. Probation Kansas production is under regulation as specified in House Bill 387, passed by the legislature in 1931, which became effective when published May 28, 1931. The principal features of the law are the prohibition of waste, including gas energy, the regulation and prevention of discrimination of purchasers, the marketing of oil ratably from wells in each field when the daily production is above 15 bbl. per well. This act gives the enforcing powers to the Public Service Commission. The Commission, having many other regulatory duties, appointed an Oil Advisory Committee, which, with the aid of the State Umpire, keeps records and makes recommendation for orders as to specific regulation of fields and conditions in each field. At the time the Commission was given authority to regulate production and marketing in flush fields, several of these had already been under voluntary proration and marketing restrictions by agreement of the operators. These gradually came under the control of the Commission by mutual consent. It is the policy of the Public Service Commission to follow the will of the operators so long as they do not have ideas or plans in conflict with the law. The cost of administration of this law is assessed against the operators according to the amount of oil taken from the fields in which ratable taking is necessary. There is a feeling that the whole state should share this expense, which is small, since it is beneficial to the older fields by assuring them 100 per cent market for their output by restricting the flush fields.

Jan 1, 1933

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 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 Charles W. Carter, Alfred H. Bell

In 1943, Illinois produced 82,256,000 bbl. of oil, or 5.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked sixth in the nation in oil production. This represents a decline of 23 per cent from 1942, when the total Illinois production was 106,ggo,o~~ bbl. and Illinois ranked fifth. The daily average production for 1943 was approximately 225,000 bbl. Daily averages by months were as follows: Jan......... 238,000 July......... 218,000 Feb......... 240,000 Aug......... 216,000 Mar......... 237,qoo Sept........ 220,ooo Apr......... 230,000 Oct......... 220,000 May....... 221,000 Nov......... 223,000 June......; . 222,000 Dec......... z18,ooo This shows that most of the decline during the year took place between March and May, and that for the last eight months of 1943 production has been essentially steady. This means that there has been enough production from new wells drilled to balance the natural decline of the Older wells. The trends of drilling and production are shown in Fig. I and Table 3.

Jan 1, 1944

By Alfred H. Bell, Charles W. Carter

In 1943, Illinois produced 82,256,000 bbl. of oil, or 5.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked sixth in the nation in oil production. This represents a decline of 23 per cent from 1942, when the total Illinois production was 106,ggo,o~~ bbl. and Illinois ranked fifth. The daily average production for 1943 was approximately 225,000 bbl. Daily averages by months were as follows: Jan......... 238,000 July......... 218,000 Feb......... 240,000 Aug......... 216,000 Mar......... 237,qoo Sept........ 220,ooo Apr......... 230,000 Oct......... 220,000 May....... 221,000 Nov......... 223,000 June......; . 222,000 Dec......... z18,ooo This shows that most of the decline during the year took place between March and May, and that for the last eight months of 1943 production has been essentially steady. This means that there has been enough production from new wells drilled to balance the natural decline of the Older wells. The trends of drilling and production are shown in Fig. I and Table 3.

Jan 1, 1944

By Kendall E. Born

PRoduction of crude oil in Tennessee during 1938 was slightly more than 41,000 bbl., an increase of about 5000 bbl. over 1937. The production by counties and by fields is shown in Table 1. The increased production has resulted from continued activity in the Upper Cumberland district, especially in Clay County. The "Mississippi lime" production in Scott and Morgan Counties continued to show a further decline with a 1938 production of 12,379 bbl. as against 14,644 bbl. during 1937. Small scattered production from some half dozen wells in Clay, Pickett, and Fentress Counties, on which there are no accurate figures, is estimated at 500 bbl. during the year. The only natural gas marketed off the lease in Tennessee during 1938 was in Morgan County, where a small amount was furnished for the town of Sunbright and immediate vicinity. The gas occurs with the oil in the Boone Camp field and small amounts were put on the line from the near-by Coon Hollow and Seabolt pools. Developments There were 88 wells spudded in during 1938, of which 10 were drilling or only temporarily shut down on Dec. 31, 1938. Eighty wells were completed during the year; 16 produced oil and 3 were gas wells of undetermined quantity. The total footage drilled on 1938 completions was 63,385 ft. Flush production during the year totaled 850 bbl. per day. The more important wildcats are listed in Table 2; the distribution of oil and gas tests drilled during the year, according to physiographic divisions, is given in Table 3. Cumberland Plateau There were no completions in the producing pools in Scott and Morgan Counties. The decline in production in these areas has been steady for the past several years. In an effort to revive production, present plans include a repressuring program in the Boone Camp field in Morgan County early in 1939. There was one completion in Morgan

Jan 1, 1939

By Kendall E. Born

PRoduction of crude oil in Tennessee during 1938 was slightly more than 41,000 bbl., an increase of about 5000 bbl. over 1937. The production by counties and by fields is shown in Table 1. The increased production has resulted from continued activity in the Upper Cumberland district, especially in Clay County. The "Mississippi lime" production in Scott and Morgan Counties continued to show a further decline with a 1938 production of 12,379 bbl. as against 14,644 bbl. during 1937. Small scattered production from some half dozen wells in Clay, Pickett, and Fentress Counties, on which there are no accurate figures, is estimated at 500 bbl. during the year. The only natural gas marketed off the lease in Tennessee during 1938 was in Morgan County, where a small amount was furnished for the town of Sunbright and immediate vicinity. The gas occurs with the oil in the Boone Camp field and small amounts were put on the line from the near-by Coon Hollow and Seabolt pools. Developments There were 88 wells spudded in during 1938, of which 10 were drilling or only temporarily shut down on Dec. 31, 1938. Eighty wells were completed during the year; 16 produced oil and 3 were gas wells of undetermined quantity. The total footage drilled on 1938 completions was 63,385 ft. Flush production during the year totaled 850 bbl. per day. The more important wildcats are listed in Table 2; the distribution of oil and gas tests drilled during the year, according to physiographic divisions, is given in Table 3. Cumberland Plateau There were no completions in the producing pools in Scott and Morgan Counties. The decline in production in these areas has been steady for the past several years. In an effort to revive production, present plans include a repressuring program in the Boone Camp field in Morgan County early in 1939. There was one completion in Morgan

Jan 1, 1939

By C. D. Hunter, I. B. Browning, N. W. Shiarella

During the year 1936 improvement in the oil industry in Kentucky continued at about the same rate as shown by that of the year 1935 over the year 1934. The development of several new pools in western Kentucky and the increase in the application of repressuring methods to the old fields of eastern and to a lesser extent of western Kentucky increased the total production to 5,481,227 bbl., as compared to 5,175,054 produced in 1935. The principle sources of this increased production are the Livermore field and the new Bates Knob field in McLean County, in western Kentucky, and the result of repressuring operations in the " Corniferous" pools of Lee, Powell, Wolfe, Morgan and Estill Counties and the "Weir" sand (of Mississippian age) fields of Magoffin, Lawrence and Johnson Counties in northeastern Kentucky. The last named fields have a producing sand especially adaptable to these methods. Drilling No new fields were opened in eastern Kentucky during the year. All new drilling was codned to pressure wells and new oil wells to complete patterns around the intake wells. Owing to the relatively low "initial" or flush production of the wells in this section—even though the ultimate recovery per acre is as large—higher prices for crude will have to prevail before extensive search for new fields is begun; as in northwestern Kentucky, where active exploratory work has been carried on as in the several preceding years, resulting in numerous new and prolific, although comparatively small fields. In this section approximately 500 new oil wells drilled in the Owensboro field, embracing several pools in Ohio, Hancock, Daviess, McLean, Henderson, Webster and Nuhlenberg Counties in the northwestern part of the state. The total oil production for this field during 1936 exceeded by many thousand barrels the 2,821,722 bbl. produced in 1935. In these fields the producing sands range from the middle Missis-

Jan 1, 1937

By R. Hastings Keller, Ralph E. Esarey

Oil and gas activities in Indiana during 1943 continued to decline at about the same rate as in 1942. New development, production, and prospecting, all showed the results of Federal regulation, low price for crude oil and shortages of labor and materials. Several local stripper-well operations were shut down, but no large-scale abandonment has occurred as yet. During the year, 277 holes were drilled for oil and/or gas, of which 99 were completed as oil wells, 19 as gas wells and 159 as dry holes. This record was a decline of 21 per cent over last year in the total number of completed tests, 20 per cent in the number of oil wells and 9.5 per cent in the number of gas wells. As in the previous year, most of the drilling (82 per cent) was in the southwestern part of the state, Gibson County ranking first, with 77 completions and 49 oil wells. Posey County was second, with 59 completions and 20 oil wells. The remaining 18 per cent of the drilling was in the old Trenton oil and gas area. The total footage drilled during the year was 482,799 ft., a decline of 18 per cent from the previous year. Of this, 146,559 ft. was wildcat footage. The total initial production of the oil wells completed was 6362 bbl. and of the gas wells was 2,562,000 cu. feet. Three tests in the old Trenton area were drilled into the Cambrian and reported nothing more than tar residue. A Devonian test was to be made in the Griffin field in the Wabash River but owing to the delay caused by Federal restrictions this test did not get started in 1943. It is expected to spud in March 1944. The new discoveries in 1943 were virtually all in the southwestern part of the state, and all, so far, one-well pools, except the North Owensville pool, in Gibson County. The latter was brought in during the month of February and by the end of the year nine wells were producing in the pool, with a reported initial yield of 1260 bbl. per day. By the end of the year it had a daily average production of 401 bbl. and an accumulated production of 39,129 bbl. The average gravity of the oil is reported to be 35.6. On the Ohio-Indiana state line, early in 1943, a new pool was opened up in the old Trenton area. The discovery well was on the Ohio side of the line. An offset well was completed on the Indiana side, with an initial yield of 64 bbl., and settled down to 5 bbl. per day. This well produced 1154 bbl. up to Dec. 31, 1943. There was no further development here, because of the Federal Conservation Order M-68, restricting drilling to one well on 40 acres. The development pattern usually followed in this area is one well to 5 acres. The E. Rogers field was extended by one pool (Table 4). Most of the development in the oil-field pools during the year took place in the Kirksville pool, in Gibson County, and the Caborn pool, in Posey County. The crude-oil production in 1943 was approximately 5,273,000 bbl., a decline of 29 per cent from the previous year. The Griffin field, of Gibson and Posey Counties,

Jan 1, 1944

By R. Hastings Keller, Ralph E. Esarey

Oil and gas activities in Indiana during 1943 continued to decline at about the same rate as in 1942. New development, production, and prospecting, all showed the results of Federal regulation, low price for crude oil and shortages of labor and materials. Several local stripper-well operations were shut down, but no large-scale abandonment has occurred as yet. During the year, 277 holes were drilled for oil and/or gas, of which 99 were completed as oil wells, 19 as gas wells and 159 as dry holes. This record was a decline of 21 per cent over last year in the total number of completed tests, 20 per cent in the number of oil wells and 9.5 per cent in the number of gas wells. As in the previous year, most of the drilling (82 per cent) was in the southwestern part of the state, Gibson County ranking first, with 77 completions and 49 oil wells. Posey County was second, with 59 completions and 20 oil wells. The remaining 18 per cent of the drilling was in the old Trenton oil and gas area. The total footage drilled during the year was 482,799 ft., a decline of 18 per cent from the previous year. Of this, 146,559 ft. was wildcat footage. The total initial production of the oil wells completed was 6362 bbl. and of the gas wells was 2,562,000 cu. feet. Three tests in the old Trenton area were drilled into the Cambrian and reported nothing more than tar residue. A Devonian test was to be made in the Griffin field in the Wabash River but owing to the delay caused by Federal restrictions this test did not get started in 1943. It is expected to spud in March 1944. The new discoveries in 1943 were virtually all in the southwestern part of the state, and all, so far, one-well pools, except the North Owensville pool, in Gibson County. The latter was brought in during the month of February and by the end of the year nine wells were producing in the pool, with a reported initial yield of 1260 bbl. per day. By the end of the year it had a daily average production of 401 bbl. and an accumulated production of 39,129 bbl. The average gravity of the oil is reported to be 35.6. On the Ohio-Indiana state line, early in 1943, a new pool was opened up in the old Trenton area. The discovery well was on the Ohio side of the line. An offset well was completed on the Indiana side, with an initial yield of 64 bbl., and settled down to 5 bbl. per day. This well produced 1154 bbl. up to Dec. 31, 1943. There was no further development here, because of the Federal Conservation Order M-68, restricting drilling to one well on 40 acres. The development pattern usually followed in this area is one well to 5 acres. The E. Rogers field was extended by one pool (Table 4). Most of the development in the oil-field pools during the year took place in the Kirksville pool, in Gibson County, and the Caborn pool, in Posey County. The crude-oil production in 1943 was approximately 5,273,000 bbl., a decline of 29 per cent from the previous year. The Griffin field, of Gibson and Posey Counties,

Jan 1, 1944

By J. J. Mike

During the past few years the combination of continuous billet casting with in-line reduction has been studied and several machines have been built with this capability included in the design parameters. (1,2,3,4,5) In-line reduction and continuous casting in combination are obvious and attractive. As pinch rolls are already in place for the continuous casting operation, it can be readily seen that a redesign of the mechanical and electrical equipment of the pinch rolls is all that is necessary to have in-line rolling. There have been numerous in-line reduction experiments conducted by simply increasing the pinch roll pressure on existing machines. (6,7,8,9) These generally failed to produce quality billets and often resulted in internal metallurgical defects (Figure 1).

Jan 1, 1972

By C. W. Donnelly, Louise B. Freeman, Coleman D. Hunter

It is with pride that the authors of this paper report. that during 1944 the production of petroleum in Kentucky passed its all-time peak, 9,496,985 bbl. being contributed. The delivery of natural gas, especially from eastern Kentucky, was maintained and possibly exceeded the highest deliveries of the past. To raise the production of oil and gas was not easy with inferior and worn-out equipment and the shortage of skilled labor. Reminiscent of the early days of the industry in the state, particularly in the hills of Elliott County, where mud roads often have gradients of 45º, was the replacement of worn-out trucks and tractors by oxen. Of the total 9,496,985 bbl., 17 per cent was contributed by the part of Kentucky that is east of the Cincinnati arch, as compared with the total of 7,010,776 bbl. contributed in 1943, of which 25 per cent was contributed by eastern Kentucky. This discrepancy is due to the discovery of more new fields in western Kentucky rather than to a decrease in production in the eastern fields, where the average has been maintained by reconditioning and secondary recovery of old fields and further development of new pools reported for the first time in 1943. In all, 1103 wells were known to have been drilled in the state during 1944, of which 659 were drilled in western Kentucky and 444 in eastern Kentucky. The exact number of wells drilled for any year is never known, as drilling permits are not required except 'when it is planned to drill through a workable coal seam. Of the total number of wells drilled, 459 were oil wells, 229 gas wells and 415 dry holes. The monthly production was as follows: January........................... 659,496 February.......................... 658,606 March...................... ...... 711,619 April............................. 649,926 May............................... 754,892 June.............................. 730,369 July.............................. 761,762 August............................ 878,053 September...................... 863,150 October........................... 968,732 November........................ 961,999 December........................ . 898,636 Western Kentucky In western Kentucky 352 wells were completed as oil wells with a total initial production of 47,922 bbl. of oil, the average being 136 bbl. per well. Two wells produced gas, the total initial production being 1,594,000 cu, ft. One hundred and eighteon wildcat wells were drilled, of which 107 were dry holes and 11 were oil wells. Three of the latter proved to be the discovery wells of commercial pools. Twelve new pools were discovered during 1944, none of major importance, as indicated in Table 2. The Utley pool, due to a stratigraphic trap on the flank of a closed structure, found oil in the Mcclosky at 2565 ft. in the discovery well, with initial productioil of 1000 bbl. The average daily production is now 227 bbl. from seven wells. The East Poole field, with the discovery well in the Tar Springs sandstone at 1811

Jan 1, 1945

By L. E. Porter, H. P. Hassel

The state of California produced 310,-996,696 bbl. of oil and about 415,832,000 M cu. ft. of gas in 1944. Such oil production represented 18.5 per cent of the nation's production, as compared with 19 per cent in 1943 ,The tremendous demand placed upon the California fields is indicated by the monthly production in 1944, as follows: Month Barrels per Day Jan................... 809,262 Feb.................. 820,712 Mar.................. 824,592 .4pr ................. 829,973 May.................. 832,068 June.................. 846,038 July.................. 849,231 Aug.................. 858,932 Sept.................. 885,823 Oct................... 877,667 Nov.................. 876,613 Dec.................. 883,847 In all, 2100 wells in proved areas and 269 wildcats were drilled in California during the year 1944. At the end of the year, approximately 270 wells were drilling in the state, as compared with 156 wells at the same time in the preceding year. Nine new fields or new zone discoveries were made during the year, which, according to best estimates, will contribute some 77,000,000 bbl. of new reserves; in addition, the extensions of old fields will increase the new reserves about 165,000,000 bbl., or a combined total, through dis- coveries of new fields, zones, and extensions, of 242,000,000 bbl., offsetting to the extent of about 78 per cent the total oil produced during the year. Geographically, the reserves from these new field and zone discoveries and extensions are distributed as follows: Per Cent San Joaquin Valley........ 72 Coast Area............... 24 Los Angeles Basin Fields. . . 4 100 The state's reserves of crude oil at the end of the year have been estimated to be distributed as follows: The outstanding development project for the year was that of the United States Navy in the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. I, Elk Hills field. During the year, 115 wells were completed in this field, and at the close of the year an average of 19 strings of tools were drilling. This program is being jointly conducted by the Standard Oil Co. of California with the Navy and is designed to increase the production of Naval Petroleum Reserves from approxi-

Jan 1, 1945