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By M. E. Lombardi

The cost of maintaining the production of an operating oil company is one of the most important, as well as one of the most difficult to estimate, of the various items which go to make up the total cost of producing oil. In the opinion of many operators the cost of drilling and developing new wells, whose, production takes the place of the loss in production through decreased yield of the old wells, is considered an operating expense, for the reason that the total income-producing power of the property is not increased. The cost of these new wells may be added directly to production expense, or it may be charged to capital account, and this account depreciated to the same extent. In either case, after an oil company is on a satisfactory income-producing basis, the money for drilling new wells to maintain production must be taken from the income of the company. Three factors determine the cost of maintaining production: First, the rate of decline in yield of the wells; second, the cost of drilling and equipping new wells in terms of their production; third, the decrease in initial production of new wells as the property is drilled and gas pressure taken off the sands, etc. In order to check theoretical figures for the cost of maintaining production the writer, with the assistance of Reed Bush and Fred Tough, has compiled the following figures. It is necessary first of all to choose a' period of time during which production for the field or territory studied remains fairly constant. The longer the period of time over which this condition prevails, the better. It is also necessary to eliminate or allow for any extraneous condition which may have affected the production returns, such as the shutting down of a large number of wells, the bringing in of a well of exceptionally large yield, the opening up of virgin territory where the flush yield is greater than will be had from new wells in after years, etc. All these conditions are exemplified most simply in the case of the Coalinga field, and perhaps these figures are more truly prophetic than the two other cases given. In applying these figures to the future it is well to assume that the average yield of new wells will constantly de-

Jan 1, 1916

By D. H. Newland

During the year 1907 an investigation of the Clinton formation in New York has been carried out under the direction of the State Geologist, and a full account of the results has been prepared for publication.' The more important economic features of the report are summarized in the present paper. Previous knowledge of this, the type, section of the Clinton has been contributed mostly by Hall and Vanuxem in their reports for the Natural History Survey of New York, which were issued in their final form in 1842-43. Brief accounts of the ore-occurrences have been given by 13. T. Putnam? J. C. Smock: A. H. Chester: and E. C. Eckel.5 Prof. C. H. Smyth, Jr.,6 has discussed the origin of the Clinton ores in two papers, which, so far as the local occurrences are concerned, have removed all doubt that may have existed on that subject. Distribution of the Clinton Formation. The Clinton strata in New York State are restricted to a single belt, which extends from the eastern central part to the Niagara river, which it crosses, and thence continues for some distance into the province of Ontario. The New York

Jan 1, 1910

By E. B. Branson

Introduction to Geology, by E. B. Branson, W. A. Tarr, and W. D. Keller, revised-by Carl C. Branson. McGraw-Hill, 1952. $5.50.-Dealing with physical and historical geology, the book has been revised from an earlier edition. An attempt has been made to eliminate unnecessary detail in discussing processes and history. Revisions bring technical and statistical data up-to-date, and follow suggestions by teachers who used earlier editions. The book carries an eye witness account of the severe earthquake in Assam, India, in 1950 and the story of Paricutin and other major examples of volcanism. Charts summarize chemical weathering, and the results of metamorphisms. The book also contains many new illustrations, including aerial photographs. A History of Phelps Dodge 1834-1950, by Robert Glass Cleland. Alfred A. Knopf, 1952. $4.00.-The book traces the growth of Phelps Dodge from the day Anson Greene Phelps opened a small saddle shop in Hartford, Conn., to the present day. As the country grew, so did Phelps Dodge. The company took part in large affairs from its very beginning. It bought and sold, exported and imported, built factories and railroads, and widened its scope of operations economically and geographically. Entrance of Phelps Dodge into copper mining and the gradual giving up of other interests in favor of the new venture is traced.

Jan 1, 1952

The following petition for amendment of the constitutional provisions relating to qualifications for membership in the Institute, signed by 75 members, of whom 27 are members of the Committee on Increase of Membership, was received by the Board of Directors, was printed on the program of the New York Meeting sent to all members early in January, and is now being voted upon by the membership: In accordance with the terms f Article X, we hereby propose the following amendment to the Constitution, Article II, Section 2: Members shall comprise all those persons who on the third Monday of February, 1918, were members of the Institute, and in addition thereto, all those thereafter, elected or transferred into the, class of Members. A person to he eligible for election or transfer into the class of Members must he at least 27 years of age and must have had at least six years' employment in the practice of engineering, mining, geology, metallurgy or chemistry, during at least three years of which he must have held positions of responsibility in one or more of these fields. Graduation from the scientific course of a college, approved by the Committee on Membership, shall be considered equivalent to two years' employment, as required in the previous sentence.

Jan 2, 1918

Prof. Henry M. Howe, New York, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary*):—The results presented in Mr. Mathewson's paper are of very great interest. Perhaps the most interesting is that shown in Table I. and Fig. 1, in which the arsenic decreases in 10 min. from 0.22 to 0.07 per cent. This is such a large decrease that it is to be hoped that Mr. Mathewson will verify it by repeating his tests with a matte of similar composition. This is particularly to be desired, because the simultaneous removal of sulphur appears to be very small. All three blows further agree in showing that the removal of arsenic is in the very early part of the blow. The fact that the removal of arsenic then ceases abruptly cannot be explained completely by the fact that the arsenic has fallen so low as by its lowness to resist further removal, because in the first blow the arsenic becomes stationary at 0.06 per cent., whereas in the third blow it does not become stationary until it has fallen to 0.034 per cent. The abrupt ending of the removal of arsenic is more likely to find its explanation in the composition of the slag, and it is to be hoped that Mr. Mathewson will supplement these extremely valuable data with others in which the composition of the slag at the same time shall be given. The sudden rise of arsenic toward the end of the third blow I suppose must be referred to an error in sampling or analysis.

Jan 1, 1908

By M. A. Matzkin

The Problem: There are no roads and mapping has been inadequate. There isn't a clearing large enough to accommodate a conventional airplane. Entry would consume months, yet the area must be investigated. Sustained communication is impossible except by radio. Cost in time and money for exploration would be exorbitant. . . . . . . . .

Jan 9, 1953

By William J. Gillich, Gerald L. Moss

PREVIOUS studies of the shock loading of randomly oriented polycrystalline aggregates have firmly established that, after rather short load duration, hydrostatic compression closely approximates the shocked state.' However, McQueen deduced from pressure measurements with good time resolution that, during shock loading, metals begin to undergo a stress relaxation at the yield stress. He suggested that the relaxation is due to plastic deformation accompanying the change from a one-dimensional compression to a three-dimensional, hydrostatic, compression.' Stress relaxation may occur faster as stress is increased above the yield stress, but the existence of unidirectionally compressed states for finite times suggests that the concept of a unidirectionally distorted lattice should furnish considerable insight into the mechanical behavior of materials subjected to shock loading. Here, a crystallographic analysis is presented for the hypothetical situation where atom motion may be considered as unidirectional which, as indicated above, is a useful extension of the macroscopic concept of shock loading to the microscopic domain. Only motion caused by the com-pressive forces is treated; i.e., lattice vibrations upon which this motion is superimposed, as discussed by Fitzgerald, are ignored.3 The purpose of the analysis to be presented is to develop a description for single crystals of the lattice rotations that occur for idealized uniaxial strain deformation. The usefulness of such an analysis in realistic deformation is to give a method of specification of those properties of an initially distorted lattice which would affect the subsequent deformation. Non-axial complications that arise experimentally, such as off-axis rarefaction waves, must be treated in proper context. Consider the material element shown in Fig. 1 and let the compression be uniform at all regions of the element. Then, any interior point of the element is displaced in proportion to its distance from the base of the element. Accordingly, if the top of a unit element is displaced by an amount, (-K), with respect to the base, a point P(X, Y) will be displaced by (-KY). Crystal planes are, therefore, rotated by the compression. Analysis of this rotation may be accomplished from the geometry shown in Fig. 1 where the line OP is the edge of the plane {hkl} and N is its normal. The orientation of the crystal plane with respect to the shock direction is specified by the angle, before deformation. After deformation the edge of plane {hkl}

Jan 1, 1969

By M. B. Standing, D. L. Katz

Equilibrium data are reported on the composition and densities of coexisting vapor and liquid phases as a function of Pressure and temperature for four hydrocarbon systems prepared from crude oil and natural gas. The data were observed over a range of pressures from 1000 to 8220 Ib. per sq. in. and at temperatures ranging from 35' to 250°F. The compositions of the hydrocarbon systems were such that the critical temperatures of the mixtures were lower than the range of the investigation. Under these conditions, it is shown that the composition of the systems has a marked effect upon both the absolute value of the equilibrium constants and the change of the constants with pressure for the several components comprising the system. From weight-balance considerations, it has been possible to construct the partial phase diagram of a mixture of a 49.9" A.P.I. crude oil and natural gas having a gas-oil ratio of 3660 cu. ft. per barrel. Descriptions of the apparatus used, the analytical procedure, the material used, and the equilibrium measurements are included. A knowledge of the physical behavior of naturally occurring hydrocarbon mixtures is fundamental to the treatment of many problems in the production, transportation and rehing of petroleum. The recent discoveries of pools having formation pressures up to 7500 lb. per sq. in. and higher, and the development of full-scale equipment to operate at pressures of 5000 lb. per sq. in. or more have greatly increased the need for knowledge of the composition, temperature, pressure and density relationships of coexisting vapor and liquid hydrocarbon phases. The following paper presents the results of investigations upon 22 mixtures of natural gas and crude oil of known com~o~itio~ that had been brought to equilibrium under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. Data are presented upon the densities and compositions of the coexisting vapor and liquid phases for four different systems containing hydrocarbon material having boiling points from minus 2 5S°F. to well over I000 F. The data were observed Over a pressure range from Iooo Ib. per Sq. in to 8220 lb. Per sq. in. and a temperature range from 35' to 2 50°F. The accepted method of computing the physical relationship between two coexisting phases of a hydrocarbon mixture is by use of the "equilibrium constant" K as proposed by Souders, Selheimer, and Brown. definition,

Jan 1, 1944

By M. B. Standing, D. L. Katz

Equilibrium data are reported on the composition and densities of coexisting vapor and liquid phases as a function of Pressure and temperature for four hydrocarbon systems prepared from crude oil and natural gas. The data were observed over a range of pressures from 1000 to 8220 Ib. per sq. in. and at temperatures ranging from 35' to 250°F. The compositions of the hydrocarbon systems were such that the critical temperatures of the mixtures were lower than the range of the investigation. Under these conditions, it is shown that the composition of the systems has a marked effect upon both the absolute value of the equilibrium constants and the change of the constants with pressure for the several components comprising the system. From weight-balance considerations, it has been possible to construct the partial phase diagram of a mixture of a 49.9" A.P.I. crude oil and natural gas having a gas-oil ratio of 3660 cu. ft. per barrel. Descriptions of the apparatus used, the analytical procedure, the material used, and the equilibrium measurements are included. A knowledge of the physical behavior of naturally occurring hydrocarbon mixtures is fundamental to the treatment of many problems in the production, transportation and rehing of petroleum. The recent discoveries of pools having formation pressures up to 7500 lb. per sq. in. and higher, and the development of full-scale equipment to operate at pressures of 5000 lb. per sq. in. or more have greatly increased the need for knowledge of the composition, temperature, pressure and density relationships of coexisting vapor and liquid hydrocarbon phases. The following paper presents the results of investigations upon 22 mixtures of natural gas and crude oil of known com~o~itio~ that had been brought to equilibrium under controlled conditions of temperature and pressure. Data are presented upon the densities and compositions of the coexisting vapor and liquid phases for four different systems containing hydrocarbon material having boiling points from minus 2 5S°F. to well over I000 F. The data were observed Over a pressure range from Iooo Ib. per Sq. in to 8220 lb. Per sq. in. and a temperature range from 35' to 2 50°F. The accepted method of computing the physical relationship between two coexisting phases of a hydrocarbon mixture is by use of the "equilibrium constant" K as proposed by Souders, Selheimer, and Brown. definition,

Jan 1, 1944

By G. Derge, Lo Ching Chang

The chemical and physical propertties of slag systems are of special interest to metallurgists, for nearly all metals are in contact with molten slags during the primary reduction from their ores and then during the subsequent refining and alloying processes that determine their ultimate use. These processes are carried out at high temperatures and involve such complex chemical systems that funda-mental scientific knowledge of the Properties and behavior of these slags is inadequate. Various hypotheses have been Proposed to explain known slag characteristics. The commonest of these regard the molten slag as constituted of compounds that are dissociated in varying degrees into their constituent oxides, as illustrated by Schenckl and the recent Papers of Chipman and co-authors. Another proposal is that these compounds dissociate by com-plete6 or partial ionization, the evidence for which has been reviewed by Martin and Derge.? whatever hypothesis is favored, the exact formulation of these compounds is incomplete. It is based on three principal types of information: 1. Studies of solidified 51% samples by X ray diffraction, petrography, and similar methods that can be used at room temperature. The correlation of this information with the high-temperature properties of the molten slag is uncertain. 2. Studies of slag-metal equilibria, which have the advantage of providing observations on the molten slag at high temperature. However, even these data present problems of interpretation because they require a complete knowledge of the metal phase. 3. Direct measurements of properties of molten slag at the temperature of greatest metallurgical interest. Viscosity, electrical conductivity, specific heats, and similar properties have been measured, but the data of this type are widely scattered and frequently difficult to interpret. Additional direct measurements of properties of molten slag that can be interpreted in terms of chemical behavior are required, and this paper shows that the standard physical-chemical measurement of reversible electrode potentials, which measure the activity of specific constituents, is a fruitful source of such information. The purpose of this investigation, therefore, was to find an electrode combination that would yield reversible electromotive force measurements when dipped into the molten slag to be studied. Slags of the systems cao-sio2 and cao-120,-SiO2 were chosen for study because graphite containers could be used and the data could be correlated with those for viscosity, conductivity, and other proper-

Jan 1, 1948

By G. Derge

The chemical and physical propertties of slag systems are of special interest to metallurgists, for nearly all metals are in contact with molten slags during the primary reduction from their ores and then during the subsequent refining and alloying processes that determine their ultimate use. These processes are carried out at high temperatures and involve such complex chemical systems that funda-mental scientific knowledge of the Properties and behavior of these slags is inadequate. Various hypotheses have been Proposed to explain known slag characteristics. The commonest of these regard the molten slag as constituted of compounds that are dissociated in varying degrees into their constituent oxides, as illustrated by Schenckl and the recent Papers of Chipman and co-authors. Another proposal is that these compounds dissociate by com-plete6 or partial ionization, the evidence for which has been reviewed by Martin and Derge.? whatever hypothesis is favored, the exact formulation of these compounds is incomplete. It is based on three principal types of information: 1. Studies of solidified 51% samples by X ray diffraction, petrography, and similar methods that can be used at room temperature. The correlation of this information with the high-temperature properties of the molten slag is uncertain. 2. Studies of slag-metal equilibria, which have the advantage of providing observations on the molten slag at high temperature. However, even these data present problems of interpretation because they require a complete knowledge of the metal phase. 3. Direct measurements of properties of molten slag at the temperature of greatest metallurgical interest. Viscosity, electrical conductivity, specific heats, and similar properties have been measured, but the data of this type are widely scattered and frequently difficult to interpret. Additional direct measurements of properties of molten slag that can be interpreted in terms of chemical behavior are required, and this paper shows that the standard physical-chemical measurement of reversible electrode potentials, which measure the activity of specific constituents, is a fruitful source of such information. The purpose of this investigation, therefore, was to find an electrode combination that would yield reversible electromotive force measurements when dipped into the molten slag to be studied. Slags of the systems cao-sio2 and cao-120,-SiO2 were chosen for study because graphite containers could be used and the data could be correlated with those for viscosity, conductivity, and other proper-

Jan 1, 1948

By W. R. Crane

THE support of roof in mines is dependent largely on the character of the top rock and its occurrence. The formations overlying the orebed in the Birmingham district are sandstone and slate. The sandstone occurs in beds of sufficient thickness to constitute important elements in the system of support; the slate is relatively strong but is thinly stratified. The alternating beds of sandstone and slate furnish an excellent combination in that the former are strong and the latter are impervious; however, their continuity is broken by jointing or slip planes. The thickness, and consequent weight of the overlying formations, is important in so far as the size and arrangement of pillars are concerned but may be relatively unimportant, temporarily at least, as a factor in the support of the roof. The position of the respective beds of sandstone and slate, their relative thickness, and their inherent weakness because of the occurrence of faults and folds, may exert a predominating influence on their support in place, which is affected only in part by the weight of the cover. The only mine in this district that operates under a cover of approximately 2000 ft. (1900 ft.) is the Shannon so-called "twin slope," situated 14,000 ft. southeast of the portal of the No. 7 mine of the Tennessee Coal, Iron, & Railroad Co. The conditions in this mine indicate what may be expected in other mines when the same depth is attained; in fact the effect of pressure is shown in several mines that have not reached two-thirds of that depth. It is evident then that conditions affecting the support of roof will not improve but rather will become more difficult with the extension of the mines into the valley under a constantly increasing weight of cover. Further, the difficulties will probably be augmented by the occurrence of faults and other disturbed ground, the presence and position of which at present are largely unknown.

Jan 9, 1924

Cyanidation and Concentration of Gold and Silver Ores. By J. V. N. Dorr and Francis L. Bosqui. Second edition, completely revised. Mc-Graw-Hill Book Co., New York. $8.50.-First issued 13 years ago, this book has become a milestone in the literature of mining and metallurgy. Mr. Dorr, with the assistance of F. L. Bosqui, has completely revised the book. Its comprehensive picture of ore dressing and hydrometallurgical methods are of importance to mining engineers and operators throughout the entire field. Operating data and methods, flowsheets, testing procedures, and many miscellaneous methods of extracting bullion are given. The book is divided into two sections, the first discussing principal unit processes involved in gold and silver recovery, and the second describing with flow diagrams a number of typical treatment plants selected from the more important gold and silver mining areas in various parts of the world. International Conference on Coal Preparation in Paris. English Language edition of transactions.-The transactions of the recent conference in Paris will be presented in the form of 6 issues of the revue de l'Industrie Minerale, and may be purchased for 3000 francs per set. About 60 papers were presented at the meeting, covering a wide range of interesting subjects. Ad- dress subscriptions to: Secretariat de la Societe de l'Industrie Minerale, 19 rue du Grand-Moulin, Saint-Etienne (Loire) France.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. E. Metcalfe

Proceedings of the Fourth Empire Mining and Metallurgical Congress, Great Britain 1949. Part II published at the Offices of the Congress in London, England, 1139 pp. The price of these proceedings is £ 2. The parts may be purchased separately at a cost of £ 1 each.-Part I of this book covers a report of the organizing committee, the inaugural meeting and presidential address, banquet at Guildhall, welcome by Sir Richard Livingstone at Oxford. and final session. Technical session and papers are also covered in Part I. Part II covers such topics as coal, present-day trends in mineral dressing and metallurgy. Mining Engineer's Survey Manual. By J. E. Metcalfe. Published for "Mine & Quarry Engineering" by Electrical Press, London, 1951. 341 pp., illus., charts, diagrs., tables, 8 ¾ x 5 1/ in., cloth, 30s., available from Percival Marshall & Co., Ltd., London, and British Book Centre, 122 East 55th St., New York 22, N. Y. Beginning with a brief treatment of surveying fundamentals and a discussion of the correlation of surface and underground surveys, this practical manual continues with descriptions of surveying practice both above and below ground including stopes, inclined shafts; etc. Space is devoted to sampling and valuation, geological considerations, and descriptions of modern surveying instruments. The organization of survey operations is covered in the last chapter.

Jan 1, 1952

By John Charles

The Engineering Method. By John Charles Lou11sbul.y Fish. Stanford University Press. 1950. 186 P. $3.-This book is about the "professional habit often referred to . . . . as 'the scientific method' . . ." It formulates for students the system of logic and reasoning that is the mark of the practicing engineer. The three chapters are, "The Method of Engineering", "Application of the Engineering Method" and "Uncertainties in Engineering." They cover logic and reasoning, terms, nontechnical problems, practical conditions controlling the engineering method, inescapable uncertainties and the method of coping with them. The author is emeritus professor of civil engineering at Stanford. The material presented here formed chapters 9, 10, and 11 of The Engineering Profession, by Hoover and Fish, second edition 1950. Elements of Ore Dressing. By Arthur F. Taggart. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1950. $10.- A modern and practical introduction to the subject by the noted author of the Handbook of Mineral Dressing. The philosophy that a mill and all its parts comprise a single treatment process is a continuing theme in the book. Professor Taggart covers hand picking, screening, filtration, and electrical concentration. After introducing sedimentation, he takes up acceleration in free-settling, hindered-settling, sink-float, jigging, film and trough concentrators and shaking concentrators. A discussion of organic chemicals in flotation is followed by a detailed treatment of flotation. Final chapters deal with primary crushing, secondary crushing, grinding, transport, and controls and flowsheets.

Jan 3, 1951

By L. P. Teas

ALTHOUGH 1927 in the Arkansas-Louisiana territory will probably pass into history as a year of small profits and little new production, nevertheless during this period two large gas fields were developed; two new oil fields were discovered, and two new oil horizons, hitherto of minor Annual Production in Millions of Barrels FIG. 1.-PRODUCTION OF NORTH LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS BY FIELDS FOR 1926 AND 1927. importance, were developed; In spite of the "hard times" some of the leading, supply houses did more business this year in this. district than in any year since 1920.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. C. McHardy

During 1980-2000, the Florida phosphate industry will deplete its central Florida Polk County reserves. As a result, new mines will be built in the so-called southern Florida reserve areas. These mines will require new mining, beneficiation, and tailings disposal technologies since southern reserves have different characteristics than have been encountered in the central Florida deposits. Furthermore, government regulations will necessitate development of new tailings and clay disposal methods. This paper reviews these challenges for the Phosphate industry and how these opportunities can be expected to effect plant design and plant operating practices.

Jan 1, 1984

By David B. Reger

The expansion of the previously discovered gas pools and an intensified search for additional pools in the Oriskany and deeper sands were the principal petroleum activities in West Virginia during 1941. One small oil pool was discovered and another was considerably extended. One small gas pool was discovered, several isolated well discoveries were expanded into definite pools, and various recognized pools were substantially increased. The proved oil territory of the state was increased about 600 acres and the proved gas territory about 45,000 acres. The new discoveries of oil did not equal withdrawals but gas reserves added were greater than gas withdrawals. Oil activity, as in the past several years, was slight because of unfavorable crude prices. Most operators prefer to leave oil in the ground rather than to drill for it without a better return. Gas activity increased greatly because of better demand, even though the price of gas did not improve. The account of operations, as gathered from trade journals and other reporting services, shows that 838 new wells were drilled, resulting in 114 new oil wells with 2606 bbl. of daily new production; 558 new gas wells with 949,226,000 cu. ft. of daily open flow; and 166 dry holes. Also, 86 old wells were drilled to deeper sands with 9 bbl. and 56,030,000 cu. ft. of added production. On the new wells the oil average was 22.86 bbl. per well per day; and the gas average was 1,701,000 cu. ft. per well per day. On new wells the ratio of dry holes to completions was 13.61 per cent. On deeper drilling to other sands the ratio of failures was 15.12 per cent. From an exploratory standpoint one strictly new oil pool (Higginbotham Run) was opened in Kanawha County and one strictly new gas pool (Lost Run) in Taylor County. One entirely isolated wildcat gave commercial Oriskany-sand gas production and may open a pool. Various other wildcats greatly extended the boundaries of known Oriskany-sand gas pools and various others may have opened new pools in the shallow sands. On the other hand, various Oriskany tests in Harrison, Monongalia, Roane and Wood Counties were dry and all five tests to the White Clinton sand (Sil.) in Boone, Harrison, Kanawha and Wood Counties failed to find commercial production. The principal oil wells completed, by counties, were: Calhoun, 24; Clay, 7; Gilmer, 6; Hancock, 9; Kanawha, 9; Pleasants, 10; and Ritchie, 14. Production for the year was estimated by the Oil Weekly as 3,421,000 bbl., compared with U. S. Bureau of Mines final figures of 3,444,000 bbl. in 1940. The leading counties in gas-well completions were: Boone, 32; Braxton, 19; Cabell, 16; Calhoun, 46; Clay, 20; Gilmer, 37; Jackson, 94; Kanawha, 82; Lincoln, 17; Putnam, 46; Ritchie, 33; Upshur, 20; and Wayne, 33. Production for the year is estimated by the author as 210,000,000,000 cu. ft., as compared to the U. S. Bureau of Mines' final figures of 188,751,000,000 cu. ft.* in 1940.

Jan 1, 1942

By David B. Reger

The expansion of the previously discovered gas pools and an intensified search for additional pools in the Oriskany and deeper sands were the principal petroleum activities in West Virginia during 1941. One small oil pool was discovered and another was considerably extended. One small gas pool was discovered, several isolated well discoveries were expanded into definite pools, and various recognized pools were substantially increased. The proved oil territory of the state was increased about 600 acres and the proved gas territory about 45,000 acres. The new discoveries of oil did not equal withdrawals but gas reserves added were greater than gas withdrawals. Oil activity, as in the past several years, was slight because of unfavorable crude prices. Most operators prefer to leave oil in the ground rather than to drill for it without a better return. Gas activity increased greatly because of better demand, even though the price of gas did not improve. The account of operations, as gathered from trade journals and other reporting services, shows that 838 new wells were drilled, resulting in 114 new oil wells with 2606 bbl. of daily new production; 558 new gas wells with 949,226,000 cu. ft. of daily open flow; and 166 dry holes. Also, 86 old wells were drilled to deeper sands with 9 bbl. and 56,030,000 cu. ft. of added production. On the new wells the oil average was 22.86 bbl. per well per day; and the gas average was 1,701,000 cu. ft. per well per day. On new wells the ratio of dry holes to completions was 13.61 per cent. On deeper drilling to other sands the ratio of failures was 15.12 per cent. From an exploratory standpoint one strictly new oil pool (Higginbotham Run) was opened in Kanawha County and one strictly new gas pool (Lost Run) in Taylor County. One entirely isolated wildcat gave commercial Oriskany-sand gas production and may open a pool. Various other wildcats greatly extended the boundaries of known Oriskany-sand gas pools and various others may have opened new pools in the shallow sands. On the other hand, various Oriskany tests in Harrison, Monongalia, Roane and Wood Counties were dry and all five tests to the White Clinton sand (Sil.) in Boone, Harrison, Kanawha and Wood Counties failed to find commercial production. The principal oil wells completed, by counties, were: Calhoun, 24; Clay, 7; Gilmer, 6; Hancock, 9; Kanawha, 9; Pleasants, 10; and Ritchie, 14. Production for the year was estimated by the Oil Weekly as 3,421,000 bbl., compared with U. S. Bureau of Mines final figures of 3,444,000 bbl. in 1940. The leading counties in gas-well completions were: Boone, 32; Braxton, 19; Cabell, 16; Calhoun, 46; Clay, 20; Gilmer, 37; Jackson, 94; Kanawha, 82; Lincoln, 17; Putnam, 46; Ritchie, 33; Upshur, 20; and Wayne, 33. Production for the year is estimated by the author as 210,000,000,000 cu. ft., as compared to the U. S. Bureau of Mines' final figures of 188,751,000,000 cu. ft.* in 1940.

Jan 1, 1942

By Michel T. Halbouty

The area for which oil and gas development is reported for 1938 in this paper is larger than that covered by the report for 1937, in that besides Duval, Jim Hogg, McMullen, Starr, Webb and Zapata Counties, comprising the Laredo district, this paper also includes the South Corpus Christi district, which is composed of the following counties: San Patricio, Nueces, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Brooks, Willacy, Hidalgo and Cameron, all heretofore included in A.I.M.E. Gulf Coast reports. In the map, Fig. 1, the area known as South Texas is represented by the counties south of the heavy black line. Production in the South Corpus Christi district, which covers an area that extends inland for 50 miles and follows the coast line, is primarily in zones ranging from the Catahoula, through the Frio sands, into the Vicksburg horizon. General exploration is done mainly with geophysics because in this district production is directly dependent upon structural conditions. In the Laredo district most of the production is from sand lenses; therefore, because these shallow sand lenses represent old shore lines which are monoclinic in character, the most satisfactory method of exploration in the Laredo district is drilling. This type of production centers around Duval County and follows a northeast-southwest trend along the Mirando district. Although drilling operations showed a decline from the preceding year, 1938 was highly successful as far as new discoveries and developments were concerned, and results of the year's operations should have an important effect on the near future trend of exploration and drilling. Besides the discovery of several new fields and many new sands in established fields, 1938 saw the discovery of a new Vicksburg sand trend and the first marine drilling off the South Texas Gulf Coast. Many new fields were discovered during the year, but only a few were subjected to an extensive drilling program. Several already established fields, especially in the Laredo district, received a large amount of drilling as new sands and extensions enlarged the producing areas, a

Jan 1, 1939