CHAPTER XV GENERAL INFORMATION PRODUCING OIL WELLS IN THE UNITED STATES Note. These data were compiled by the U. S. Geological Survey from reports of pipe line companies. As some of these companies do not maintain lists of wells, part of the data is approximated. Reported by the Standard Oil Company and the Independent Producers' Agency. Country United States WORLD'S PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM IN 1919 (Compiled by G. B. Richardson, U. S. Geological Survey) Barrels of 42 U. S. gallons a377,719,000 Percentage of Total by Volume 69 b13,843,000 16 c Russia 25,498,000 d 3,477,000 India f 8,735,000 1,164,000 Rumania Persia Poland (Galicia). 6,614,000 g 920,000 829,000 963,000 1 (a) Preliminary figures. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.8837. (b) Boletin del Petroleo. (c) Petroleum Times (London) credits Russia with 34,284,000 barrels. (d) Oil News (London). Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.859. (e) Bureau of Mines, Dutch East Indies. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.8761. (f) Reported in Imperial gallons by Geological Survey of India. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.8403. (g) Moniteur du petroleu roumain. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.8766. (h) Reported by American consul-general at London. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.86. (i) Legation of Poland. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.86. (j) Informaciones y memorias de la Sociedad de ingenieros del Peru. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.8403. (k) Preliminary figures reported in koku by Oriental Economist Yearbook. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.8403. (m) Reported in Imperial gallons by Trinidad Dept. Mines. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.8766. (n) Reported by American consul-general at London. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.97. (p) Comodoro Rivadavia oil fields. Report to Minister of Agriculture. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.9174. (q) Boletin del Ministerio de fomento, vol. 1, No. 1. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.959. (r) Bulletin Soc. de l'industrie minerale, 5th ser., vol. 17, p. 141. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.89. (s) Preliminary report, Canada Dept. Mines. gravity of 0.8403. Metric tons based on specific (t) Private statistics through Consular Office, State Dept. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.89. WORLD'S PRODUCTION OF PETROLEUM IN 1919 (Concluded) (u) Economista d'Italia. specific gravity of 0.876. Quoted by Economic Review. Barrels based on (v) Algerian Bureau of Mines. Quoted in Commerce Repts. Barrels based on specific gravity of 0.98. (w) Reported by American consul-general at London. Figures furnished by H. M. Petroleum Executive. Metric tons based on specific gravity of 0.828. (x) Estimated. DEEPEST WELLS IN THE WORLD There have been four very deep wells drilled, the first in Czuchow, Germany, to a depth of 7,349 feet. The other wells have all been drilled in the United States, one by the Peoples Natural Gas Co., of Pittsburgh, on the Geary farm, near McDonald, Pa., to a depth of 7,248 feet, and two by the Hope Natural Gas Co., also of Pittsburgh. The first of the Hope wells was drilled on the Mary Goff farm, eight miles north of Clarksburg, W. Va., and reached a depth of 7,386 feet, thus breaking all records for deep drilling up to that time, March 4, 1918. The second well was drilled on the I. H. Lake farm, six miles southeast of Fairmount, W. Va., reaching a depth of 7,579 feet, June 18th, 1919, where further progress was stopped by a serious fishing job. This is the deepest well in the world and the Hope Company will doubtless hold the honor for a long time. In the following pages is complete log of the well to the depth it has reached, 7,579 feet, together with a description of the rig and drilling outfit used. THE DEEPEST WELL IN THE WORLD Drilled by the Hope Natural Gas Co. Well 4304 I. H. Lake Located on the I. H. Lake farm, six and one-half miles southeast of Fairmount and two miles south of Samaria, W. Va. Drilling was commenced August 5, 1916, and on June 18, 1919, the well had reached a depth of 7,579 feet, exceeding by 193 feet the depth of well No. 4190, M. O. Goff, which, until that time, had been known as "the world's deepest well." Approximately 325 days were spent in actual drilling, the well having been shut down for about 1 year and 10 months, the longest period being 1 year and 1 month, while waiting THE DEEPEST WELL IN THE WORLD (Continued) for a cable, which was difficult to secure, due to conditions arising from the war. The last known sand found was the Gordon at a depth of 1,474 to 1,495 feet. No oil or gas was found. After drilling to a depth of 6,720 feet, the heavy machinery and tools from the Goff well were noved in and drilling continued. |