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By J. Brian Eby, T. I. Harkins

This paper outlines the geophysical investigation of the area covering the Darrow salt dome, Louisiana. Surveys with the refraction seismograph and torsion balance failed to disclose the dome, but reflection dip shooting was successful and was confirmed by later drilling. Introduction The Darrow salt dome and oil field lies in western Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on the outside of a sharp bend and on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The dome occurs about 30 miles south of Baton Rouge and 80 miles northwest of New Orleans. Its geology, shape and structure have been ably described in detail by Carroll E. Cook1 and, except for the general features, will not be repeated here. The purpose of this paper is to record some of the interesting and pertinent geophysical data contributing to the discovery of the dome and eventually the oil field. The salt dome is circular in outline and comes to within about 4625 ft. of the surface. At this depth the diameter of the salt plug is approximately 4800 ft. The dome has only a thin cap rock of less than 75 ft. Some oil has been found and is being produced in Miocene sands above the cap rock, but most of the field's production comes from a narrow ring of wells around the east and south flanks of the dome. Producing horizons on the flank are found at 5670 to 5840 ft. in the Miocene and 6890 to 6985 ft., 7028 to 7060 ft. and 8260 to 8270 ft. in the Oligocene. The deepest well that has been drilled is the Humble Oil and Refining Company's Community B-5, on the south flank of the structure, which reached a depth of 10,013 feet. The size and shape of the field and the area of production are indicated on Fig. I. The line showing the area of production encloses all wells now producing and all abandoned producers, both on the top and flank of the dome. This line of production is shown on all subsequent geophysical maps as a direct means of comparing the early geophysics to later drilling development. Darrow dome occurs on the low, flat flood plain of the Mississippi River; it is protected from flood overflow by high artificial levees. The rich loamy soil supports a high degree of cultivation, principally sugar cane. Drainage is secured by many small canals and the water table of the area is at or near the surface. These particular conditions of topography, drainage and top soil greatly influenced the early geophysical picture, and the influence was always unfavorable. Surveys with Refraction Seishograph and Torsion Balance A reported oil show in a water well drew attention to the lands of the Belle Helene

Jan 1, 1943

By Allan M. Hale

The paper discusses past trends in phosphate reclamation, indicating advantages and disadvantages of land and lakes, sand tailings capped with overburden, phosphate slimes capped with overburden, and overburden fill reclamation. In addition, new techniques of reclamation such a clay settling-pond disposal and wetland restoration are discussed.

Jan 1, 1983

By William B. Plank

AN outstanding development in the field of education for the mineral industries during the past year has been an unprecedented eagerness by young men for college training in this field. The enrollment of students in the 53 mineral technology schools in the United States in 1936-'37 reached the all- time high of 7190. This represented an increase of 43 per cent in two years and was about ten per cent of all engineering students. Of these 7190 students only 980 graduated and were available - for positions in the industry. That the supply of graduates did not equal the demand can be substantiated by every school dean and by the personnel agents of many mining, metallurgical, and petroleum companies. Some of these companies last summer inaugurated the plan of employing, for the

Jan 1, 1938

THE Institute conducts jointly with the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and American Institute of Electrical Engineers, certain activities as listed below, and is joint owner with them of certain properties situated at 29 W. 39th St. in New York.

Jan 1, 1946

Extractive Metallurgy Division Institute of Metals Division Iron and Steel Division OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES John Chipman, President W R Hibbard, Jr, Past President C C Long, Vice-President T D Jones, Treasurer R W Shearman, Secretary AIME, 29 West 39th Street New York 18, N Y

Jan 1, 1959

By Jacob Reeese

I HAVE discovered a new method by which steel and other metals may be burnished by the automatic action of the burnishing machine, and by which the cost is greatly diminished, and more perfect work produced. And in addition to the polishing and burnishing action of

Jan 1, 1881

By Jacob Reese

I have discovered a new method by which steel and other metals may be burnished by the automatic action of the burnishing machine, and by which the cost is greatly diminished, and more perfect work produced. And in addition to the polishing and burnishing action of

Jan 1, 1881

By Sherwin F. Kelly

THIS is intended as a simple review of the principles and practice of geophysics, so will not be of interest to the geophysicist, who is hereby warned of its elementary character. The engineers for whom it is written are those who, having glimpsed the formidable formulas and discussions of the geophysicists, give all publications on the subject a wide berth. For a few years now the geo-physicists have had a tendency to be ingrowing at their meetings, going deeper and deeper into theory and instrument construction, and forgetting to present the topics that would interest the practicing engineer who desires merely to know how geophysics can help him, not why.

Jan 1, 1934

By K.D. White, Chester W. Washburne

Colombia has an almost ideal situation with lespect to the world's markets, being only a short distance from the Panama Canal and the West Indies. The sailing distance from its Caribbean ports to New York is less than that from Tampico. Geographically, Colombia consists of three systems of broad mountain ranges separated by two long narrow valleys. The Cauca River valley separates the Western or Coastal range from the Central range. On the west side of the Coastal range are the Atrato and San Juan Rivers. The Central and Eastern ranges are separated by the Magdalena River valley. In the department of Santander the Eastern range divides, one branch continuing northward as the Cordillera of Perija, the other turning eastward across Venezuela as the Cordillera of Merida. Between these ranges is the great basin occupied by Lake Maracaibo. These valleys consist mainly of long narrow reentrants or tongues of Tertiary sediments between the older rocks of the mountain ranges. The late Miocene and younger sediments seem to have been deposited in separated basins, but the Cretaceous and possibly some earlier Tertiary strata were laid down more or less continuously over a great part of Colombia and Venezuela. These strata were subsequently folded into the present ranges. The deposition of the Cretaceous and of some of the Tertiary was in a great sea, the main land mass being in Brazil, with land probably along some of the cores of the present mountain systems. The sediments, except the Lower Cretaceous, vary markedly in character and thickness. An illustration is seen in the massive series of non-marine conglomerates and sandstones of the upper Magdalena River valley, near Honda, which are almost wholly wanting in the coastal sections where marine sediments prevail. The oldest rocks bearing on the search for oil are the black carbonaceous and bituminous shales, limestones, and cherts of the upper part of the Lower Cretaceous. These probably are the main source of oil in both Colombia and Venezuela. They include thick bodies of true "oil shale." Above the carbonaceous and bituminous beds, lies a series of many thousand feet of clastic sediments. The most noticeable and easily recognizable formation among these clastic sediments is the "coal-bearing series," which may be either upper Cretaceous or Eocene. The

Jan 1, 1923

By K. D. White, Chester W. Washburne

Colombia has an almost ideal situation with lespect to the world's markets, being only a short distance from the Panama Canal and the West Indies. The sailing distance from its Caribbean ports to New York is less than that from Tampico. Geographically, Colombia consists of three systems of broad mountain ranges separated by two long narrow valleys. The Cauca River valley separates the Western or Coastal range from the Central range. On the west side of the Coastal range are the Atrato and San Juan Rivers. The Central and Eastern ranges are separated by the Magdalena River valley. In the department of Santander the Eastern range divides, one branch continuing northward as the Cordillera of Perija, the other turning eastward across Venezuela as the Cordillera of Merida. Between these ranges is the great basin occupied by Lake Maracaibo. These valleys consist mainly of long narrow reentrants or tongues of Tertiary sediments between the older rocks of the mountain ranges. The late Miocene and younger sediments seem to have been deposited in separated basins, but the Cretaceous and possibly some earlier Tertiary strata were laid down more or less continuously over a great part of Colombia and Venezuela. These strata were subsequently folded into the present ranges. The deposition of the Cretaceous and of some of the Tertiary was in a great sea, the main land mass being in Brazil, with land probably along some of the cores of the present mountain systems. The sediments, except the Lower Cretaceous, vary markedly in character and thickness. An illustration is seen in the massive series of non-marine conglomerates and sandstones of the upper Magdalena River valley, near Honda, which are almost wholly wanting in the coastal sections where marine sediments prevail. The oldest rocks bearing on the search for oil are the black carbonaceous and bituminous shales, limestones, and cherts of the upper part of the Lower Cretaceous. These probably are the main source of oil in both Colombia and Venezuela. They include thick bodies of true "oil shale." Above the carbonaceous and bituminous beds, lies a series of many thousand feet of clastic sediments. The most noticeable and easily recognizable formation among these clastic sediments is the "coal-bearing series," which may be either upper Cretaceous or Eocene. The

Jan 1, 1923

By Philip D. Wilson

IT has been my privilege to read the article prepared by R. S. Dean entitled "Production of Alumina from Low-Grade Domestic Materials" which appears on another page of this issue. Dr. Dean should be congratulated on the preparation of such an erudite and scholarly dissertation on bauxite and on the work which the Bureau of Mines has been doing in connection with the development of processes to use low-grade domestic materials.

Jan 1, 1943

By G. F. Comstock

These notes should be considered as a further discussion of Mr. S. W. Miller's paper on "Some Structures in Steel Fusion Welds."l In that paper and the resulting discussion, several conflicting opinions were expressed as to the identity of the needles or small crystals present in oxyacetylene and electric welds. An interesting specimen of an electric weld examined by the writer seems to afford new evidence regarding the needles, that may be worth presenting at this time. The specimen consisted of a piece of 3/8-in. (9.5-mm.) steel plate, about 21/4 by 13/4 in. (5.7 by 4.5 cm.) in size, on which some iron had been deposited by arc-welding to a depth of about 3/16 in. (4.7 mm.). The weld appeared to be a very good one, with no noticeable break or boundary between the plate and the deposited iron. Sections for microscopic examination were cut in three planes at right angles to each other through the deposited metal, two of these sections also extended through the steel base. After polishing in the usual way, the microscope showed that the deposited metal was full of very small, round, gray, oxide spots, while the steel plate contained quite a number of alumina inclusions and a little slag. The sections were etched with nitric acid in ordinary alcohol, and structures similar to those described by Mr. Miller were then displayed. Fig. 1 shows the typical appearance of the deposited metal, which was quite uniform in all three of the planes examined. The round dark-gray spots are oxides, and the pale angular crystals are evidently what Mr. Miller called cem-entite and Mr. Jeffries martensite, while Mr. Ruder and Professor Boyls-ton think that they might be nitride. The boundary between this structure and the steel base was sharply defined under the microscope. Fig. 2 shows the structure of the plate just under the weld; this is almost martensitic and resembles a coarse-grained casting. This coarse cast structure soon became finer as the distance from the weld increased, finally becoming very fine, with numerous small particles of sorbite. This very fine structure, shown in Pig. 3, became coarser in turn and finally merged into the original normal structure of the steel plate, shown

Jan 1, 1920

By M. B. Kahle, A. D. Pernichele

Four types of slope failures in waste dumps are recognized debris flow, foundation failure, edge slump, and blowout. The first three types, although at times causing considerable damage to property and interfering with mine operations, are not usually dangerous to personnel because of their slow rate of movement. The fourth type, the blowout, is the most dangerous because of its explosive mode of failure and lack of forewarning. The December 1969 failure at Verona dump is presented as an example of a blowout. Data from piezometer holes indicate that the blowout was due to perched leach solutions near the face of the dump. The level of water in this zone is very closely related to the rate of leach water application on the dump. A detailed analysis of core samples indicates that the impounded water was perched on a zonal accumulation of jarosite which is associated with a buried dump surface. Drain holes proved successful in controlling perched leach solutions in the critical zone near the face of the dump. Monitoring of the water level in the perched zone is considered essential in preventing blowouts. The use of drain and piezometer holes has allowed an increase in the rate of water application on the dump while preventing additional failure.

Jan 1, 1972

By Franklin Allison

THE influence of cobalt and nickel on the properties of steel might be readily expected to be very similar. The two elements occupy close and somewhat unusual positions in the periodic table, their chemical behavior and compounds are so completely analogous and their various physical properties, including the ferro-magnetic characteristic, show such a remarkable correspondence, that there is no doubt of a strong resemblance existing between these two metals. However, the variety of, properties that are obtained from steel is due, largely to the fact that the element iron possesses allotropic forms. Alloying elements that affect these allotropic forms, or alter the nature of the allotropic changes, exert a profound influence on the resulting steel. In the case of nickel and cobalt, although these elements are very similar chemically and physically, it is found that they differ distinctly in their individual effects on the critical points of iron. Both nickel and cobalt form a series of homogeneous solid solutions with iron at temperatures above 1800° F. The difference in their behavior does not occur until changes begin to take place in the solid state below this temperature. An inspection of the respective thermal equilibrium diagrams at the lower temperatures makes the opposite effects of nickel and cobalt clearly evident.

Jan 3, 1927

R. V. Norris, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (communication to the Secretary*):—Mr. Stow's paper presents a series of arguments, numbered from 1 to 18, concerning the relative merits of four systems of colliery-ventilation, designated by the author as " plain pressure-ventilation," " plain exhaust-ventilation," " obstructed pressure-ventilation," and " obstructed exhaust-ventilation." These arguments are subsequently compared by means of tables, in which an arbitrary numerical value is assigned to each, and which consequently serve no other purpose than that of showing his opinions and predilections, as indicated by his assignment of the said numerical values. In addition to this general summary, Mr. Stow intimates his preference for a fifth method of colliery-ventilation—namely, what he calls " alternating pressure-ventilation," which consists in the running of the fan at "pressure " during working-hours, and as an " exhaust" between shifts—a system which he proposes as, perhaps, new, yet which he thinks deserves recognition " as a standard form." This proposed " standard form " is not to be found in practice ; and I think it would be impracticable in gaseous mines of large extent, for the following reasons: 1. It takes considerable time to reverse the air-current in a large mine; and the reversal would involve a period of complete stoppage of ventilation, long enough to permit serious accumulations of gas. 2. In shaft- and slope-mines, at least, it is hardly practicable to have " every man out of the mine" during the night, and certainly impracticable to avoid keeping mules and horses inside. 3. The doors necessary to divide and direct the air-current are properly hung to open against the air-pressure; and, unless

Jan 1, 1910

By D. Jenkins

THE Franklin Laboratory was designed mainly for the analysis of the products from the two concentrating mills situated at Franklin and Sterling Hill, the most important determinations being the zinc, iron, manganese, lime, moisture and silica contents of the ores. Within the last 4 years, however, it has been found advisable to examine most of our supplies, and therefore additional space and equipment was allotted for the examination of such substances as oils, greases, soaps, alloys, fuels, paints, explosives and water. The building as shown in elevation (Fig. 1) and plan (Fig. 2) consists of a main or routine laboratory, an experimental laboratory, a water FIG. 1.-WEST ELEVATION. analysis room and the other accessories such as stock room, library, sampling and drying rooms and office. The main laboratory is further divided into a balance room and zinc analysis room. As the greater part of our determinations are volumetric, good light is a very important factor and with this in view the interior walls of the building were constructed of white enameled brick laid in Keene cement. These also have the additional advantage that they give a clean and attractive appearance to the room. The windows are large, being 76 by 44 in. and even on very dark days the light is good throughout the whole laboratory. Our zinc titration requires a constant light and as, on many days, especially in winter, the light is variable, we installed two Artificial

Jan 8, 1917

By O. M. Schaus

GRATIFYING progress continues towards the elimination of the hazards confronting health and safety in and about mines. Employers and employees are diligently co-operating. One of the outstanding movements towards this end is the National Safety Competition conducted by the U. S. Bureau of Mines. William W. Adams, of the Bureau, has stated that "Through 1936 there has passed by a dozen years of this National Safety Competition, as it started in 1925 with an enrollment of 210 mines and quarries in 28 states and 68 million man-hours of employment. For 1936 it covered 328 mines and quar-

Jan 1, 1938

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 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 George Watkin Evans

The need for mechanization in coal mining wherever it can be successfully introduced is evident when we take into account the fact that during recent years the coal-mine employee's wages have increased and his hours have been shortened. Coal is no longer King, and a brief study of statistics covering the production of coal, petroleum and natural gas and the development of water power will convince anyone that coal has had very powerful competitors during the past 10 years. Petroleum production in the United States between 1918 and 1936 increased from 100 per cent to 309 per cent. Water power increased from 100 per cent in 1918 to 270 per cent in 1936. Bituminous coal slipped from 100 per cent in 1918 to 75 per cent in 1936. The anthracite industry slipped from 100 per cent in 1918 to 50 per cent in 1932, but climbed to 55 per cent in 1936. In 1918, the State of Washington produced a little over four million tons of coal and the production of California oil, at that time, was a little less than one hundred million barrels per year. By 1929 the production of California oil had increased to a little over 292,000,000 bbl. or nearly 300 per cent as compared with 1918. By 1934 the production of coal in the state of Washington had dropped to about 1 1/3 millions of tons per year. Our neighbors in British Columbia had their coal production reduced from a little over 2 1/2 million tons in 1920 to less than 1 1/3 million in 1933. The North western Improvement Co., a subsidiary of the Northern Pacific Railroad Co., owns coal properties in various parts of Washington and Montana. The Northern Pacific is one of the very few railroads using any considerable quantity of coal in its operations. Practically all of the American railroads in the Pacific Northwest, except the Northern Pacific, are using cheap California fuel oil or electricity. This problem, of course, is not a new one in coal mining, and all of the progressive coal companies in the country have tried to meet competition from an overproduction of petroleum and an overproduction of natural gas as well as enlarged developments of hydroelectric plants.

Jan 1, 1938