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By D. C. Porterfield

-4s a result of world economic conditions brought about by the European war and the consequent loss of European markets for Venezuelan crude, production in Venezuela decreased from 205,433,000 bbl. in 1939 to 186,134,000 bbl. in 1940, or 9.4 per cent. This decline interrupted a steady annual increase in production from the country, which had been continuous since 1932. The Maracaibo Lake Basin in western Venezuela accounted for 135,738,000 bbl. during 1940, or 73 per cent of the total, as against eastern Venezuela's production of 50,396,000 bbl., or 27 per cent of the total for the country. Corresponding figures for 1939 were 167,688,000 bbl., or 82 per cent of the total from the Lake Basin, and 37,744,000 bbl., or 18 per cent from the east. These comparisons indicate the increasing importance of the newer developments in eastern Venezuela, but it is unlikely that production from the east will ever exceed that from the west. In all, 429 new wells were completed in Venezuela during 1940 as compared to 438 in 1939. Of the 1940 completions, 411 were in proved areas and 18 were wildcats; 389 (95 per cent) of the exploitation wells drilled were producers, I was a gas well and 21 were dry holes, while 6 (33 per cent) of the wildcats drilled were producers and 12 (67 per cent) were dry; 263 of the exploitation wells and 4 of the wildcats were in the Maracaibo Lake Basin and 148 exploitation wells and 14 wildcats were in the east, mostly in the State of Anzoategui. Exploration of the light-oil areas in the Tia Juana and Lagunillas fields was con- tinued during the year with favorable results. Along the lake shore, drilling was confined principally to fill-in wells in the La Kosa, Tia Juana, Laguni!las and Bachaquero fields, although some important semi-exploratory drilling was done in the Pueblo Viejo area between Lagunillas and Bachaquero fields. The only other developments of particular interest in the west were the successful completion of a step-out well lying to the south of the former southern limit of Mene Grande field, which adds considerable proved acreage to that field; and the failure of two wildcats that were drilled near the Colombian border to determine whether the productive sands of the Petrolea field in the Barco Concession, Colombia, extend into Venezuelan territory. In the east no new fields were discovered during the year, although five wildcats were completed as producers. Three of these, Guario No. I, Jusepin-56 and LM-I (Leona), discovered important extensions to previously proved areas and the remaining two, Cantos-I and SPN-I (Socororo), were subsequently proved to have tapped productive sands of small extent and operations in these areas have been suspended. The greatest activity in the east was concentrated in the Oficina field, where 105 new wells were completed during the year and production was increased from 22,540 bbl. per day during January 1940 to 57,627 bbl. per day during December 1940. Important development work was also done in the Jusepin. San Joaquin and El Koble fields.

Jan 1, 1941

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Myers

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By C. E Shoenfelt, Gail F. Moulton

Proven and developed oil reserves, and productive capacity increased during 1943 in the fieids of the Rocky Mountain region. Oil production during the year was nearly 45 million barrels, or slightly less than in 1942. The rate of production at the start of 1944 was slightly less than at the start of 1943. Pipe-line projects scheduled for completion during 1944 should permit a substantial increase in the rate of production. Wildcat exploration was more extensive in Montana during 1943 than in other states in the region. The results of wildcat drilling were unsatisfactory, although new oil fields were discovered on the Gebo, Little Buffalo Basin and Steamboat Butte structures of Wyoming, the Gage anticline of Montana, and the Clark Lake structure of Colorado. The area of the structures on which the discovery wells were drilled is known to be considerable, but further drilling is required to determine the importance of these fields. The most important increase in proven reserves resulted from the drilling to newly discovered deeper producing formations in the Elk Basin and other fields of the Big Horn Basin area of northern Wyoming. Lack of a market and unfavorable prices for heavy black oils had prevented complete exploration of favorable areas in the Rocky Mountain region for many years. In particular, the effect on further exploitation of the Big Horn Basin area had been quite serious. The increased demands for all oils created by the war and an increase in price in February 1943, combined later with Government approval of construction of pipe lines from the Big Horn Basin area to the Billings and the Casper districts, provided a basis for undertaking a drilling program. The important additions to reserves were made by drilling in previously discovered fields. The newly discovered fields resulted from drilling on favorable structures which had been known for several years. A continuation of the favorable results obtained during 1943 seems possible only if further testing of the newly discovered fields is satisfactory and if drilling on less favorable known structures or geophysical prospects results in the discovery of new fields. The amount of drilling in the Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, was about the same during 1943 as .in 1942. However, owing to the fact that a number of wells of large potential production were completed in the Elk Basin field, the total initial production of the prodicing wells was- nearly twice as great for 1943 as for 1942. Explorational activity at the end of 1943 seemed to be directed to geophysical methods, which are required to discover structures hidden beneath the rocks of Tertiary age in the Powder River and other large sedimentary basins. It is in

Jan 1, 1944

By Samuel G. Lasky

In a recent discussion of the mineral resource position of the United States, published in the September 1946 issue of Mining and Metallurgy, I expressed my conviction that ore deposits of major magnitude remain to be found in this country and that they can be found without undue cost or risk. I stated with equally strong conviction, however, that if the search for such deposits is to be notably successful there must be, among other things, a reorientation of philosophy and mental habits on the part of many who would be connected with the search. I would now like to enlarge upon that statement. For such a purpose. we may consider that the search for concealed deposits involves four steps: (I) the selection of areas for further study; (2) the geologic study of those areas in order to verify their general favorableness and in order to choose specific patches worthy of being tested; (3) the decision whether exploration of the patches chosen should actually be undertaken; and (4) the exploration itself. The first two steps and the last rest upon the judgment and skill of geologists. The third step—the decision whether exploration should be undertaken—rests upon management. In my opinion, the philosophies or principles that have guided these steps in the past are now inadequate. Philosophy of Appraisal If concealed deposits are to be looked for, how are the places of their possible concealment to be recognized? Every known mineralized area still in the prospect stage has already been repeatedly examined and condemned. As for those deposits concealed under later rocks, there may be not even the clue of a near-by outcrop for engineer or geologist to consider. flow then, are we to know where to look? Geologic Probability In the early days of our mining industry, ore deposits were found mainly by "following the ore." Later, as such opportunities decreased, and as geologic concepts became accepted, deposits were found more and more through use of the notion of geologic probability. Many instances can be cited wherein a courageous operator ignored the implications of the unsuccessful efforts of predecessors and, solely by "following the ore," converted a discredited prospect into a good mine. Similar experience doubtless will occur in the future, but "following the ore" will no longer in itself find new deposits in the amount needed. Nor can enough new ore be expected from further use of the notion of geologic probability, for, as mentioned above, our known prospects have already been ex-

Jan 1, 1949

By E. DeGolyer

The problem of good engineering practice and. of good conservation practice in oil production is that of keeping gas in solution. This can best be done by producing a field as a water-drive field. Some degree of water drive is believed to be present in most fields but in the past most fields have been produced too rapidly to allow water drive to be effective. Ultimate recovery should be So per cent greater for fields produced by water drive over that from gas-expansion fields. Wide spacing will permit fields of low-degree water drive to be produced effectively as water-drive fields. INTRODUCTION NEGLECTING all the complicated scientific and technical argument that leads to the conclusion, the solution of the problem of good production practice, of good engineering practice, and of good conservation practice in oil production is to keep gas in solution. This can best be done by producing fields at a rate low enough to make effective the water drive, which exists, it is generally believed, to a degree great enough to be made effective in more than 80 per cent of the fields of the United States. Oil is being so produced in the Ten Section field of California; the Hobbs field of New Mexico; the Yates, Hastings, Friendswood, Anahuac fields and the main sand of the Conroe pool, in Texas; the Magnolia pool in Arkansas, and doubtless in many other pools. The measures of success in the efforts to achieve the solution of the problem are the maintenance of bottom-hole pressure and the prevention of an increase in gas-oil ratio. Some decline from the original bottom-hole pressure and the production of some gas are essential. A pressure gradient from the reservoir to the well is necessary and at least as much gas must be produced as that in solution in a barrel of oil. Once the optimum pressure and the gas-oil ratio have been established, they should be maintained. How common is water drive in oil and gas pools? General opinion is that some degree of water drive is almost universal. Theoretically, this conclusion appears to be a sound one. According to our present understanding of the processes of sedimentation, we would expect to find all sands or sandstone charged with connate water unless it had been displaced by some other fluid, such as fresh water percolating into the beds at the outcrop, or oil and gas, or gas only, in reservoirs. The fact that the original pressure of the fluid system in most reservoirs is approximately that of the hydrostatic head of water for the corresponding depth indicates that the sands are charged with water, and common experience in drilling into the extensions of the porous zones beyond the reservoir is to find them watercharged. The very fact that oil and gas pools have substantial pressures in their original undisturbed state indicates either that a reservoir is a rigid, closed system, a con-

Jan 1, 1941

By George Rice

THE A.I.M.E. Ground Movement and Subsidence Committee, pro-posed in 1920, held its first technical meeting in February 1923, under the able chairmanship of Mr. H. G. Moulton. The following list of papers and discussions, indicating the scope of the problems and relation to various conditions and method of mining, were given at that meeting by the distinguished mining engineers: J. Parke Channing, on Subsidence at Miami, Arizona; Howard N. Eavenson, on Mining an Upper Bitu-minous Seam after a Lower Seam Has Been Extracted; J. J. Rutledge, on Subsidence in Two Oklahoma Coal Mines; Benjamin F. Tillson, on Caving Cracks at the Franklin Mine, New Jersey; Dr. F. W. McNair, on the Dome Theory; William Kelly, on disadvantageous effects in Mining and Back-filling Working Upward a Steep-Pitching Iron-ore Bed; Eli T. Conner, on the good results of Back-Filling by Hydraulic Means in Preventing Destructive Subsidence in the Anthracite District; Thomas H. Claggett, on the merit of Systematic Pillar Drawing in Preventing Cracks in an Upper Seam; Henry H. Otto, successful results in the anthracite district in Mining Lower Seams before Upper Seams; Douglas Bunting, on Leading Factors Incident to Successful Mining of an Overlying Seam; Edwin Ludlow, on there being "less damage to buildings when there was complete removal of coal with complete packing than when room and pillar is used without extracting the pillars"; Edward O'Toole on "bumps" in eastern Kentucky mines, which he thought were the result of geologic stresses: H. A. Buehler, on Upheaval of Surface in an Illinois Case in Advance of the Face; and R. Dawson Hall, on The Mechanics of Subsidence from Mining. The author of this paper discussed various Winds of problems of ground movement and subsidence in both metal mining and coal mining; the production of great landslides by workings near an outcrop, as at Turtle Mountain, Alberta, Canada; and general

Jan 1, 1939

By Samuel G. Lasky

In a recent discussion of the mineral resource position of the United States, published in the September 1946 issue of Mining and Metallurgy, I expressed my conviction that ore deposits of major magnitude remain to be found in this country and that they can be found without undue cost or risk. I stated with equally strong conviction, however, that if the search for such deposits is to be notably successful there must be, among other things, a reorientation of philosophy and mental habits on the part of many who would be connected with the search. I would now like to enlarge upon that statement. For such a purpose. we may consider that the search for concealed deposits involves four steps: (I) the selection of areas for further study; (2) the geologic study of those areas in order to verify their general favorableness and in order to choose specific patches worthy of being tested; (3) the decision whether exploration of the patches chosen should actually be undertaken; and (4) the exploration itself. The first two steps and the last rest upon the judgment and skill of geologists. The third step—the decision whether exploration should be undertaken—rests upon management. In my opinion, the philosophies or principles that have guided these steps in the past are now inadequate. Philosophy of Appraisal If concealed deposits are to be looked for, how are the places of their possible concealment to be recognized? Every known mineralized area still in the prospect stage has already been repeatedly examined and condemned. As for those deposits concealed under later rocks, there may be not even the clue of a near-by outcrop for engineer or geologist to consider. flow then, are we to know where to look? Geologic Probability In the early days of our mining industry, ore deposits were found mainly by "following the ore." Later, as such opportunities decreased, and as geologic concepts became accepted, deposits were found more and more through use of the notion of geologic probability. Many instances can be cited wherein a courageous operator ignored the implications of the unsuccessful efforts of predecessors and, solely by "following the ore," converted a discredited prospect into a good mine. Similar experience doubtless will occur in the future, but "following the ore" will no longer in itself find new deposits in the amount needed. Nor can enough new ore be expected from further use of the notion of geologic probability, for, as mentioned above, our known prospects have already been ex-

Jan 1, 1949

By L. G. Jones

The objective of this paper is to present a better method for determining reservoir reserves of gas from extended drawdown test data. Means are proposed for conducting the test with or without the requirement of prior build-up to a static reservoir pressure. The test is based upon solutions to unsteady-state gas flow developed in an earlier paper and is believed to be superior to previous methods for determining reserves from flow-test data. The limitatiom of such tests are discussed, with emphasis on the subject of test duration. The test can supply useful information if the mechanics and limitations of it are understood. This type of information can be particularly valuable in deciding whether or not to drill offsets to producing wells. INTRODUCTION In the life of any gas or oil field, the engineer in charge must decide if certain wells need stimulation and whether or not to drill more wells in the field. Well production tests can aid in making these decisions. For instance, the value of stimulation can be estimated by determining formation permeability and the amount of well damage from drawdown or build-up tests. These tests are freely used in the oil industry. A less well-known type of analysis uses data from extended drawdown tests for determining reservoir reserves. Into this category fits the "reservoir limit test" of Jones,'-3 and the "reservoir reserve test" presented in this paper. The chief value of these tests is their ability to "see" reservoir boundaries and thus prevent costly dry holes. Methods for determining reserves of both gas and oil reservoirs were proposed in the work of Jones. His proposals appear sound for single-phase liquid flow. The generality of his work on gas flow is open to question, however, since the analysis is based upon solutions to liquid-flow equations. The test for gas reserves presented here is derived from unsteady-state gas-flow solutions presented in a previous paper.' In deriving this reservoir reserve test, it has been assumed that all of the reservoir energy is provided by expansion of the reservoir fluid and that the reservoir is radially symmetrical. No mention has been made of the effects of deviations from Darcy's law such as quadratic (turbulent) flow and well damage. Since the terms representing these effects are function of rate only, since the rate is constant and since the data are plotted in a differential form, it seems reasonable that these terms will not affect the test results in any way. No attempt has been made to estimate the effects of water drive, faults, or other departures from an idealized and isolated reservoir. For a qualitative discussion of some of these effects, the reader is referred to a paper by Jones3

By D. C. Porterfield

-4s a result of world economic conditions brought about by the European war and the consequent loss of European markets for Venezuelan crude, production in Venezuela decreased from 205,433,000 bbl. in 1939 to 186,134,000 bbl. in 1940, or 9.4 per cent. This decline interrupted a steady annual increase in production from the country, which had been continuous since 1932. The Maracaibo Lake Basin in western Venezuela accounted for 135,738,000 bbl. during 1940, or 73 per cent of the total, as against eastern Venezuela's production of 50,396,000 bbl., or 27 per cent of the total for the country. Corresponding figures for 1939 were 167,688,000 bbl., or 82 per cent of the total from the Lake Basin, and 37,744,000 bbl., or 18 per cent from the east. These comparisons indicate the increasing importance of the newer developments in eastern Venezuela, but it is unlikely that production from the east will ever exceed that from the west. In all, 429 new wells were completed in Venezuela during 1940 as compared to 438 in 1939. Of the 1940 completions, 411 were in proved areas and 18 were wildcats; 389 (95 per cent) of the exploitation wells drilled were producers, I was a gas well and 21 were dry holes, while 6 (33 per cent) of the wildcats drilled were producers and 12 (67 per cent) were dry; 263 of the exploitation wells and 4 of the wildcats were in the Maracaibo Lake Basin and 148 exploitation wells and 14 wildcats were in the east, mostly in the State of Anzoategui. Exploration of the light-oil areas in the Tia Juana and Lagunillas fields was con- tinued during the year with favorable results. Along the lake shore, drilling was confined principally to fill-in wells in the La Kosa, Tia Juana, Laguni!las and Bachaquero fields, although some important semi-exploratory drilling was done in the Pueblo Viejo area between Lagunillas and Bachaquero fields. The only other developments of particular interest in the west were the successful completion of a step-out well lying to the south of the former southern limit of Mene Grande field, which adds considerable proved acreage to that field; and the failure of two wildcats that were drilled near the Colombian border to determine whether the productive sands of the Petrolea field in the Barco Concession, Colombia, extend into Venezuelan territory. In the east no new fields were discovered during the year, although five wildcats were completed as producers. Three of these, Guario No. I, Jusepin-56 and LM-I (Leona), discovered important extensions to previously proved areas and the remaining two, Cantos-I and SPN-I (Socororo), were subsequently proved to have tapped productive sands of small extent and operations in these areas have been suspended. The greatest activity in the east was concentrated in the Oficina field, where 105 new wells were completed during the year and production was increased from 22,540 bbl. per day during January 1940 to 57,627 bbl. per day during December 1940. Important development work was also done in the Jusepin. San Joaquin and El Koble fields.

Jan 1, 1941

By Robert E. Tally

CHAUNCEY L. BERRIEN, Butte, Mont. (written discussion).-Having had much actual experience with mine fires which have occurred or have been active in the mines of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. during the past 4 years and having lately visited the fire zone of the United Verde mine with Mr. Tally, I wish to congratulate him for the success which he has had in controlling this fire and making the mine perfectly safe .for his miners. By this work he is not only keeping the property in operation but is reclaiming many lost orebodies. The ventilation system as described by him is practically the same as that used under my direction at the Mountain View mine fire in Butte in 1913 and at the Pennsylvania fire in 1916. This same system is at present being followed at the Leonard mine to extinguish a fire which has been active for 10 years although bulkheaded. The mining system in the Butte mine, at the origination of these fires was the same as that at the United Verde, namely, square setting .accompanied by the use of much timber bulkheading in the stopes owing to heavy ground. The pyritic content of the ore in Butte is not as high, but on the whole conditions have been the same, with the exception of actual location of the fire in the mine. I agree with Mr. Tally that flooding, the use of C02 or any gas, and the use of steam are all impracticable unless the fire zone can be absolutely sealed. His system of upcast escapement shafts in the fire zone, the use of bulkheads and fans to keep the gases away from the firemen, must be resorted to. By the method lie describes actual stoping may be carried on safely if started from the bottom of the fire and if the fire zone extends to the surface. In other words, the fire zone must be isolated from the rest of the mine by bulkheads and solid ground, with no ground above which can be damaged by spread of fire or caving. The serious fires in Butte have .occurred on or between levels in the mines where it was necessary to prevent their .extension upward, downward and laterally while the work of actually extinguishing them was in progress. This necessitated proper bulkheading should we lose control of the fire, the installation of ventilation similar to Mr. Tally's and the systematic drilling of holes with diamond drills for distributing water on the fire and around it.

Jan 12, 1916

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By John A. Church

When, in 1879,I examined the mines of the Tombstone Mill and Mining Company, at Tombstone, Arizona, I found a bed of tailings containing 12,000 tons, which had a value of 9 to 12 ounces of silver per ton and some gold. The ore had been amalgamated in pans, in which each charge had been ground for four hours, having been pre viously stamped through rough-punched screens, which gave a pro duct varying from 1-100th to 1-20th of an inch, according to the state of wear of the screen. It was certain that a large proportion of the tailings must be in fine slimes, and the question of recovering their value was difficult. Even now the concentration of slimes is . an unwelcome task, and at that day very little was known about it. Nevertheless, after considering the results of a test by repanning the tailings, I advised the company to concentrate and smelt, although they had to face the difficulty of making a smelting-product from slimes containing only 3 per cent. of lead. Limestone was abundant enough, but no iron suitable for flux was to be had for hundreds of miles. One of the company's claims con tained an argeutiferous manganese-ore, which gave but poor results by amalgamation. This was one reason for recommending smelt ing ; for if manganese would play the part of a precipitant, as iron does, the company could smelt by combining two of its silver ores, without other flux than the small amount of lime that might be needed. At that time no smelter had ventured to trust manga nese as a precipitant, though large quantities of this ore containing silver were bought and used by custom-smelters, who looked upon the manganese solely as a basic flux for silica. I believe that no other furnace has been obliged to trust this metal, and that the man ganese practice of Tombstone remains unique among the records of smelting lead-ores in the shaft-furnace. The bright side of the problem was given by the fact that the mines were shallow and that the enterprise would at least begin with oxidized ores. The tailings contained about 85 per cent. of silica,

Jan 1, 1895

JULY was a month of great turmoil, both economic and political, in many parts of the world. Instead of conditions improving, they seem to have been getting worse. In Ireland, civil war is still in progress. Germany was in the throes of a political upheaval. The meaning of the assassination of Rathenau became clear. It evinced the development of a class struggle between the bourgeois and socialistic parties which may rock the country to its foundation and will increase the difficulties of arranging things with the French and solving the reparations problem. In Poland, a similar contest is developing. Austria is already so completely contaminated by the socialist element that it is unable to get outside assistance and is thus falling into a state of despair but little short of what prevails in Russia. The conference at the Hague came to an abortive end for the reason that it was impossible to discuss affairs with the Russians in any reasonable way. The Germans declared their inability to meet the reparation payment that fell clue on July 15 and the Commissioners for the Allies granted them an abate-ment of a portion thereof and are listening attentively to the supplication of the Germans for a moratorium of one or two years. In the United States, July was a month of widespread labor troubles, accompanied by a great deal of disorder and violence, which led to detachments of the National Guard being called out in several states. The railway shopmen, about 400,000 in number, struck on July 1. The road maintenance men decided not to strike, but many thousands of them quit work without the sanc-tion of their union. There were more strikes in the textile industry in New England and in similar industries all over the country. Early in July, it was estimated that about 1,250,000 men were out on strike. The coal strike continued. Early in the month the President summoned operators and miners to Washing-ton and submitted a plan for the compromising of disputes. After a week's consideration the miners re-fused flatly to agree to anything. The majority of the operators consented to accept the proposed arbitration, but a minority refused. Following this abortive at-tempt the President dismissed the conference with the injunction "to return to your mine properties and resume operation." Production has not increased.

Jan 8, 1922

By Charles W. Goodale

In the course of the preparation of my paper on " The Occurrence and Treatment of the Argentiferous Manganese Ores of Tombstone District, Arizona" (Dam., xvii., 767), my attention was called to two patents which have been issued for the use of a diaphragm at the upper end of a Howell furnace, whose importance merits more than a passing reference. Mr. J. K. Pardee invented and first put into use in the Algon quin mill, at Philipsburg, Mon., in 1880, a ('new' and useful im provement in rotary ore-roasting furnaces," which was intended "to increase the capacity, effectiveness and working economies of such furnaces." The following description and accompanying figures are taken from the patent papers, dated December 21st, 1880: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the feed-end of the Howell rotary furnace, with parts broken away, the better to exhibit my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same, showing a modification of my invention. In operating a furnace of this kind, of the capacity of one ton of ore an hour, it was found that for the best work the two fire-places (one at each end of the revolv ing cylinder) consumed about ten cords of wood every twenty-four hours, and that about twenty-fonr tons of silver-ore were introduced through the feed-pipe. It was also found that of the amount of ore, fully one-third did not go through the revolv ing cylinder, but went into the dust-chanibers about the feed-end of the furnace or cylinder, and this ore going into the dust-chambers was found not to be sufficiently chloridized for amalgamation, but had to be re-roasted. I then caused to be made, out of boiler-plate iron, a segment of a circle, the height of which was about one third of the diameter of. the cylinder or furnace, the circumference of the circle being smaller than the circumference of the furnace, so that about a half-inch space would be left between the plate and the furnace, when said plate or segment was in position. This segment or plate of iron was then fastened to the bottom of the feed pipe, as shown in the drawings, wherein A represents the revolving cylinder or furnace; B, the fire-place and dust-chambers at the feed-end of said furnace; C, the inclined feed-pipe, and D, the diaphragm, partition, or plate fixed within said furnace, A. With the diaphragm or plate, D, in the position shown, the furnace was run for about a month, and it was found that with the furnace in best working condition only four cords of wood every twenty-four hours were consumed, that no fire was required at the feed-end of the furnace, that not one-twelfth of the ore

Jan 1, 1890

By C. D. Keen

In the latter part of the summer of 1913 the Conservation Commission of the State of Louisiana, under presidency of M: L. Alexander, decided to stop the waste of natural gas going on at the "burning gas-well," Located about 2 mile southeast of Oil City, La. On several occasions, both in newspapers and in reports, comment had been made on the condition of this well, its harmful effect on the Caddo gas field, and the considerable loss, estimated at several thousand dollars each month, caused by the escape of the valuable fuel., But nothing had been done to bring the well under control and prevent further waste of gas until the State Conservation Commission took the matter in hand. The gas fields of Louisiana are among the greatest in the country. So far most of the gas has been found in the Caddo field proper, although considerable development has been done in and around the city of Shreveport and near the town of Mansfield in DeSoto parish. To extend the life of the gas fields and to prevent the quick exhaustion of the supply of the natural fuel are matters of vital importance for this section of the country. Four gas companies have entered the Caddo field and supply the surrounding towns and cities With gas. The Arkansas Natural Gas Co. has pipe lines to Little Rock, Ark., and supplies gas to the following cities and towns in that State: Texarkana, Hope, Garland, Emmet, Prescott, Boughton, Beirne, Gurdon, Arkadelphia, Gum Springs, Mal-vern, Dsnaldson, Gifford, Perla, Beaton, Beauxite, Mabelvale, Bryant, Sheridan, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Argenta, Pulaski Heights, and Hot Springs. The Southwestern Gas & Electric Co. transports gas to Mooringsport, Blanchard, Caddo, Rodessa, Oil City, Vivian, Bloomburg, Hosston, Ida, Dixie, Belcher, and Shreveport. The Marshall Gas Co. supplies gas to the town of Marshall, Texas. The Louisiana Co. has a line to Shreveport. In, the oil field the gas is used for drilling purposes, and the operators either have their own gas system or buy from the gas companies. At the present time the surrounding territory depends for its fuel supply on the Caddo field, and the importance of the conservation of the natural-gas

Jan 1, 1915

By Albert C. Harding

For several years barite (BaSO4) production has topped such better known minerals as feldspar and fluorspar in annual tonnage and is now well established among our foremost nonmetallic industries. Description Of widespread occurrence in the United States, barite is relatively soft (hardness, 2.5 to 3.5), inert, heavy (specific gravity, 4.5), and is also called "barytes" (sometimes pronounced "bear-i-tease"), "heavy spar" and "tiff." It occurs with granular and earthy structure but usually has coarse, orthorhombic crystallization. It is commonly white, and although occurring in various shades of red, yellow, and gray, barite always gives a white streak and can be scratched by the ordinary prospecting pick. Its softness and weight are usually sufficient to establish field identification. Another aid is the "rotten egg" odor of H2S which sometimes emanates from freshly fractured surfaces. Barite can be readily distinguished from two other minerals which have somewhat similar occurrences and characteristics. The relatively rare celestite, strontium sulphate, has a specific gravity slightly less than 4.00 and gives a distinctively crimson color in a flame test. The very rare wither-ite, barium carbonate, has a specific gravity of 4.3 but readily effervesces with dilute hydrochloric acid. Occurrence All known commercially important barite deposits in the United States occur as re- placements or cavity fillings in schists, shales, limestones, dolomites, and quart-zites, or as residual deposits from such formations. In Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Missouri, high-grade barite is recovered as fragments from residual clays covering quartzites and dolomites. In Arkansas, Nevada, and California, barite, usually of lower grade, is mined from replacement deposits. These seven states contributed the entire production reported by the U. S. Bureau of Mines for 1945 as given in Table I. Table i—Crude Berile Sold or used by Producers in 1945 State Short Tons Arkansas................... 260.660 Missouri.................... 225.467 Georgia..................... 110,393 Tennessee................... 32,812 Nevada..................... 28,919 Other States............... 37,811 Total..................... 696,062 ('other states,, included only california and North Carolina. Such a large part of this undistributed production came from California that that state probably outranked both Nevada and Tennessee. For the second consecutive year Arkansas was the leading producing state, particularly worthy of note because there was no commercial production of barite there prior to 1941 and because the entire production of Arkansas has come from one large deposit which is being operated by two companies. Consumption The 1945 consumption as reported by the Bureau of Mines was: 482,442 tons as ground barite 139,288 tons in making lithopone 99,173 tons in producing barium ------- chemicals Total 720,903 tons

Jan 1, 1949

By Gail F. Moulton, C. E. Shoenfelt

Proven and developed oil reserves, and productive capacity increased during 1943 in the fieids of the Rocky Mountain region. Oil production during the year was nearly 45 million barrels, or slightly less than in 1942. The rate of production at the start of 1944 was slightly less than at the start of 1943. Pipe-line projects scheduled for completion during 1944 should permit a substantial increase in the rate of production. Wildcat exploration was more extensive in Montana during 1943 than in other states in the region. The results of wildcat drilling were unsatisfactory, although new oil fields were discovered on the Gebo, Little Buffalo Basin and Steamboat Butte structures of Wyoming, the Gage anticline of Montana, and the Clark Lake structure of Colorado. The area of the structures on which the discovery wells were drilled is known to be considerable, but further drilling is required to determine the importance of these fields. The most important increase in proven reserves resulted from the drilling to newly discovered deeper producing formations in the Elk Basin and other fields of the Big Horn Basin area of northern Wyoming. Lack of a market and unfavorable prices for heavy black oils had prevented complete exploration of favorable areas in the Rocky Mountain region for many years. In particular, the effect on further exploitation of the Big Horn Basin area had been quite serious. The increased demands for all oils created by the war and an increase in price in February 1943, combined later with Government approval of construction of pipe lines from the Big Horn Basin area to the Billings and the Casper districts, provided a basis for undertaking a drilling program. The important additions to reserves were made by drilling in previously discovered fields. The newly discovered fields resulted from drilling on favorable structures which had been known for several years. A continuation of the favorable results obtained during 1943 seems possible only if further testing of the newly discovered fields is satisfactory and if drilling on less favorable known structures or geophysical prospects results in the discovery of new fields. The amount of drilling in the Rocky Mountain states of Colorado, Montana and Wyoming, was about the same during 1943 as .in 1942. However, owing to the fact that a number of wells of large potential production were completed in the Elk Basin field, the total initial production of the prodicing wells was- nearly twice as great for 1943 as for 1942. Explorational activity at the end of 1943 seemed to be directed to geophysical methods, which are required to discover structures hidden beneath the rocks of Tertiary age in the Powder River and other large sedimentary basins. It is in

Jan 1, 1944

By R. E., Head

THE use of lime in flotation has become so general in recent years that its functions are familiar to plant operators. The conditions and phenomena described in this paper are of interest because they are directly associated with the use of lime as a reagent and the resulting formation of lime scale worth nearly $1 per pound for its gold content. It is not known to what extent lime scale is common in flotation plants where lime is used, but as several occurrences have been re- ported, its existence is not limited to one particular plant. In November, 1927, the author's attention was drawn to a lime scale that formed on the sides of Callow flotation cells in the Walker Mining Co. mill at Spring Gar- den, Cal. The scale was described as an accumulation of hard material that built up on the sides of both the rougher and cleaner cells and in some instances attained a thickness of 2 in. The lime scale builds up in the cleaner cell at the rate of about 1/10 in. per month, or slightly more than ?12 in. during six months' operation. The rate of growth in the rougher cells is slower, and about 3/s in. of scale forms in six months. Analyses' of typical lime scale samples are as follows:

Jan 1, 1928

By Theron Wasson

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

Jan 1, 1942

By Howard I. Epstein, John R. Buzek

Thickeners are simply large tanks, usually circular in shape, which are designed to allow settling of solids and to operate with continuous overflow of clear water and underflow of thick pulp. The dimensions of the thickener are usually such that dewatering of very fine pulps may be accomplished while still overflowing clear water. Some thickeners such as the Center, Hardinge and Hydrotator types combine thickening with filtering2 while others such as the Dorr type are pure thickeners. l .2 , 3 A schematic diagram of the traction type Dorr thickener is shown in [Fig 1]. This type is appropriate for tanks over 15 m (50 ft) in diameter. This tank employs a rotating raking mechanism which moves the settled material toward the central discharge. For this and other thickeners, it is common to have a shallow conical tank bottom in order to conform to the geometry of the raking mechanism, and it is often desirable to elevate the tank for ease of access to the product. When the tank does not rest on the ground, the forces resisted by the cone are large, and thick plates must be employed. The fabrication of these tanks requires temporary supports in order to erect the cone. A flat-bottomed tank could also be used because the settled material would soon form a hardened conical surface. However, because of the presence of large bending forces, even larger plate thicknesses are required than for the conical bottom. Significant cost savings often can be realized by the use of a scalloped-bottomed tank such as the one partially shown in [Fig. 2]. The particular scalloped bottom discussed in this paper employs radial beams forming the outline of the cone-shaped bottom. These beams are supported directly by columns. Cone segments are hung between adjacent beams. The exact geometry of these segments depends upon the cone angle and radius, the number of radial beams, and their inclination. The geometry is chosen to satisfy certain clearance restraints and to utilize the material as efficiently as possible. The resulting thickness of these segments is significantly less than that of the equivalent plate for the tank with a conical bottom. This result, along with the simpler fabrication procedures required, accounts for the cost savings associated with this design. The raking mechanism employed may be the same as for the conventional conical bottom since the settled material soon forms a conical surface. Determination of the internal force mechanism for the scalloped bottom leads to designs that utilized material efficiently and thus maximize the cost savings. The complicated geometry of these bottoms along with the difficulty in analyzing the structure are factors which may have limited the use of scalloped-bottomed tanks to date. When such tanks have been built, the uncertainties associated with the internal forces have led to designs that are somewhat inefficient. In this paper, equations relating the geometric parameters are presented along with simplified closed-form solutions for the internal forces in the cone segments, from which the loads applied to the beams and the loads carried to the cylindrical tank shell can be deduced. An example is presented to show the magnitude of the savings which may be realized with this configuration.

Jan 1, 1979