UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Harold L. Ickes, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. C. Mendenhall, Director

Bulletin 886

CONTBIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY

(SHORT PAPERS AND PRELIMINARY REPORTS)

1937

H, D. MISER, E, F, BURCHARD, D, F, HEWETT 

and G, R, MANSFIELD 

GEOLOGISTS IN CHARGE

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1938

CONTENTS

[[The letters in parentheses preceding the titles are those used to designate the papers for advance publication]

Page

(A) Possibility of new oil pools in the Siliceous lime and Bartlesville sand 

in T. 23 N:, R. 10 E., Osage County, Okla., by N. Wood Bass, 

W. Reese Dillard, and Jess H. Hengst__.--_-.-___-__.______ 1

(B) Geologic factors in the interpretation of fluorspar reserves in the

Illinois-Kentucky field, by L. W. Currier.____________________ 5

'(C) Geology and ore deposits of the southwestern Arkansas quicksilver

district, by John C. Reed and Francis G. Wells.______-.__-_-_ 15

{D) Preliminary report on the alunite deposits of the Marysvale region,

Utah, by Eugene Callaghan___--___..__. ________-__--__--___ 91

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

PLATE 1. Production, importation, and utilization of fluorspar and production of open-hearth steel, 1916-35. __..___.________..___ 14

2. Geologic and topographic map of the southwestern Arkansas

quicksilver district, with structure sections_____________ In pocket

3. Composite columnar section' of Stanley shale exposed in the 

southwestern Arkansas quicksilver district, with more detailed 

sections of part of the formation....._____________________ 2.4

4. A, Exposure of Jackfork sandstone in railroad cut in NE%NE}4 

sec. 4, T. 7 S., R 23 W.; B, Exposure of "ribbon" shale in 

Jackfork sandstone in railroad cut in SWJ4NEJ4 sec. 4, T. 

7 S., R. 23 W____.__-___--__----------- _---_-- ----- 28

5. Composite columnar section with measured partial sections of 

Jackfork sandstone exposed in the southwestern Arkansas 

quicksilver district________---_---_-___---_-_-___-___ In pocket

6. A, Airplane view of Parnell Hill, showing cross fold exposed by 

mining operations; B, View northwest showing fractured 

sandstone of footwall of ore-bearing zone of the "Bloody 

Cut," Parnell Hill mine..........___._._.._._.._..______ 40

7. Geologic map of southwestern Arkansas showing distribution of

deposits of quicksilver, lead-zinc-copper, and antimony.____ 44

8. A, Specimen from Gap Ridge mine showing branching cracks 

filled with cinnabar in shattered sandstone; B, Disseminated 

cinnabar in sandstone from southern part of sec. 34, T. 6 S., 

R. 23 W___________-___.--_----_--______.._._.___-.... 48

in
IV CONTENTS

PagePLATE 9. A and B, Photomicrographs of specimens from sec. 34, T. 6 S.,

R. 23 W., showing cinnabar replacing quartz sand grains. __ 48

10. A, Vug in sandstone lined with drusy quartz from Hudgins

prospect; B, Native quicksilver from Parker Hill mine_--___ 48

11. Stibnite needles and cinnabar in quartz crystal______________ 49

12. Views of plant of Mid-Continent Quicksilver Corporation at 

Bemis Hill: A, Reduction plant; B, Nichols-Herreshoff furnace; C, One unit of twin-unit condensing system. _________ 64:

13. Property ownership map of the Arkansas quicksilver district

and surrounding territory.______________________________ 64:

14. Topographic and structural map of Bemis Hill, Mid-Continent

Quicksilver Corporation.____________________________ In pocket

15. A, View S. 55° W. along cut 2, Hill 2; B, Stope at Gap Ridge

mine-___-_-__--_-__-___-----_--__---_______-_________ 70

16. Topographic and geologic map of Parnell Hill mine._________ 78

17. Topographic and geologic map of Gap Ridge mine.---------- 84

18. Map of upper tunnel of Mineral Products mine showing structural details of alunite veins-______-_--________________-_ 118

FIGURE 1. Subsurface structure contour map of part of T. 23 N., R. 10 E.,

Osage County, Okla______-_-__-_-_-__-_______-_________ 2

2. Map of Illinois-Kentucky fluorspar field.--__________-__-__- 8

3. Index map showing location and extent of the southwestern

Arkansas quicksilver district._________-_______________ _ 20'

4. Sketch illustrating relation of the Amity fault to other thrust

faults--.-.------------_-'-------------_-_-___------_--_ 36.

5. Plan sketches illustrating manner in which tear faults and 

cross folds may have developed in the Arkansas quicksilver 

district._ _____________________________________________ 41

6. Geologic sketch plan of principal cut on hill in southern part of

sec. 34, T. 6 S., R. 23 W_.___.______.._._____._____.__.. 65-

7. Geologic sketch plan, projected to the plane of the surface, of

the glory hole on Bemis Hill.____________________________ 68

8. Geologic sketch plan of vicinity of cut 1, Hill 2, Pike County,

Ark___-_.__.._..__-_.-_._-__._._-----_-_..-_-___.__.- 70>

9. Diagrammatic sketch plan of structure in pit at cut 3, Hill 2__ 71

10. Plan of Caponetto shaft at the Mac-Holmes mine.-.--------- 75.

11. Topographic and geologic map of the Parker Hill mine.______ 81

12. Longitudinal section, looking N. 25° W., of stope at the Parker

Hill mine _____________________________________________ 82

13. Longitudinal section, looking south, of stope at the Gap Ridge

mine _________________________________________________ 84

14. Plan drawing showing small folds or crinkles in south wall of

stope at the Gap Ridge mine and section across beds.______ 85-

15. Index map showing location of Sevier and Delano Peak No. 2

quadrangles in the Marysvale region, Utah________________ 93-

16. Outline map showing distribution of alunite deposits in the 

Marysvale region, Utah, and outline of the Sevier quadrangle. ____-_____------------------------------_------ 96

17. Map of Sunshine area showing variable distribution of silicified

and alunitized country rock and alunite veins_____________ 112

0
If you do not need this report after it has served your purpose, please return it to 

the Geological Survey, using the official mailing label at the end

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Harold L. Ickes, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

W. C. Mendenhall, Director

Bulletin 886-A

POSSIBILITY OF NEW OIL POOLS IN THE SILICEOUS

LIME AND BARTLESVILLE SAND IN T. 23 N,,

E, 10 E,, OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

BY

N. WOOD BASS, W. REESE DILLARD 

AND JESS H. HENGST

Contributions to economic geology, 1937 

(Pages 1-4)

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON : 1936

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D. C. ------ Price 5 cents
ILLUSTRATION

Page 

FIGURE 1. Subsurface structure contour map of part of T. 23 N., R. 10 E.,

Osage County, Okla...................................... 2
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 1937

POSSIBILITY OF NEW OIL POOLS IN THE SILICEOUS 

LIME AND BARTLESVILLE SAND IN T. 23 N., R. 10 E., 

OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA

By N. WOOD BASS, W. REESE DILLARD, and JESS H. HENGST

Many localities in the Osage Indian Reservation of Oklahoma that 

are worthy of prospecting for oil are indicated by the results of a 

recent investigation by a field party of the United States Geological 

Survey engaged in the study of the subsurface geology of the reserva^ 

tion. Several of these localities, typical of those that appear favorable for prospecting, are described here in advance of the completion 

and publication of the Geological Survey's report that will cover all 

of Osage County, which coincides in area with the reservation. 

These localities are in T. 23 N., R. 10 E., in the east-central part of 

the reservation (fig. 1). One area that may contain an oil pool of 

considerable extent in the Bartlesville sand includes the NW1^ sec. 

16 and the NE^ sec. IT and possibly extends into sees. 9 and 10. 

Other areas are in the W% sec. 20 and the S1/^ sec. 4, where the 

Siliceous lime remains untested in small domes that are structurally 

similar to two nearby domes producing from the Siliceous lime 

one in sec. IT and the other in sec. 32.

The well in the northeast corner of sec. IT, which was drilled 

by Waite Phillips in April 1923, according to its log had an initial 

yield of 150 barrels of oil a day after being shot in the Bartlesville 

sand. It struck sand at a depth of 2,080 feet and continued into 

the sand for 33 feet. The log does not indicate whether the base 

of the sand was reached. Records on file in the Osage Indian 

Agency at Pawhuska, Okla., show that this well, which was drilled 

13 years ago, had produced 63,000 barrels of oil by the end of 

July 1936 and is still producing at the rate of approximately 10 

barrels of oil a day. The gravity of the oil, as reported by the 

pipe-line company, is about 28° to 29° Baume. A little more than

110189 36
CONTRIBUTION'S TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 1937 

R.IO E. /

T

Z3

N

 -84O '

N..

nao^f:

17:

V.

)

-29^

A

' I

<> '

X

n

-33

^ v

V_,660-3V

v^ io1 /

-22-

i/2 I Mile i

Contours drawn on top of Oswego lime 

(Fort Scott limestone); they show depth 

 . below sea level. Dashed lines indicate 

lack of control.

Contour interval 20 feet

,- ' . ' Oil'well XAbandoned oil well -<^Dry hole 

FIGURE 1. Subsurface structure contour map of part of T. 23 N., R. 10 E., Osage County, 

" Okla. Lessees: A, Stephenson & Wprten; B, J. A. Pre$bury and others; C, Marathon 

:.Oil Co.'; D, Barnsdall Oil Co..; E,. Indian Territory Illuminating Oil Co.; F, Union Oil 

& Mining Co. and others ; (?, Western American Oil Co.
POSSIBILITY OF NEW OIL POOLS IF OSAGE COUNTY, OKLA. 3

half a mile southeast of this lone producer from the Bartlesville 

sand a 30-barrel show of oil in the Bartlesville sand was obtained 

in September 1922 in a well of the Evidence Oil Co. in the southwest 

corner of the NE^4 sec. 16. The sand was struck at a depth of 

1,902 feet and is recorded in the log as 43 feet thick. Broken 

sand and shale are reported at the horizon of the Bartlesville sand 

, jin the log of the dry hole in the northwest corner of the NEi/^SW1/^ 

sec. 16, which was drilled by the Cosden Oil & Gas Co. in 1926. 

The beds at the horizon of the Bartlesville sand were shot after 

the well had been drilled into the Siliceous lime and plugged back.

A well producing about 25 barrels of oil from the Bartlesville 

sand was drilled in May 1921 by John E. McKinley in the SW^SE^ 

sec. 3. This well struck the sand at a depth of 2,052 feet and penetrated it to a depth of 95 feet. The log of the well does not indicate 

whether the base of the sand was reached. The well was abandoned 

after producing a total of 600 barrels of oil in 8 months.

The presence of productive oil sand in the three wells just mentioned strongly indicates that oil-bearing Bartlesville sand is present 

in parts of the NW% sec. 16 and the NE14 sec. IT and possibly in 

parts of sees. 9 and 10, inasmuch as throughout a wide region in 

northeastern Oklahoma the Bartlesville sand occurs characteristically in narrow lens-shaped bodies that yield large quantities of 

oil. Drilling depths to the Bartlesville 'sand in these sections1 range 

from about 1,900 to 2,100 feet.

The Bartlesville sand, as indicated by well logs, is 20 feet thick in 

the southeast corner of sec. 8, 45 feet thick in the southwest corner 

 of sec.' 9, 31 feet thick in the southeast corner of sec. 4, and 130 feet 

thick in the center of the east line of the SW^ sec. 3. Perhaps much 

or all of the sand recorded by the drillers in the well logs is sandy 

shale instead of sand. This possibility is suggested by the fact that 

microscopic studies of well cuttings of the Bartlesville sand in Osage 

County have proved that in many localities sandy shale beds at the 

horizon of the Bartlesville sand have been recorded by the drillers 

as sand. Also it appears improbable that Bartlesville sand capable 

of serving as a reservoir for oil and gas was found in the two dry 

holes in sees. 8 and 9 near the well in the northeast corner of sec. 17 

that produces oil from the Bartlesville sand.

The small dome in the Sy2 sec. 17 and the Ny2Ny2 sec. 20, on 

which eight wells have yielded oil from the Siliceous lime, and the 

small dome in the W^ sec. 32, on which five wells have yielded oil 

!from the Siliceous lime, are fairly typical of the oil fields, mostly of 

small extent but large yields, that produce oil from the uppermost 

beds of the Siliceous lime on sharply folded domes in the southeastern part of Osage County. The wells on the northern dome in
4 .CONTRIBUTIONS TO ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, 1937

T. 23 K, R. 10 E., produced a total of 356,587 barrels of oil between 

October 1926, the date of discovery, and July 31, 1936, the last date 

on which information was collected for this paper. If each well 

drains 6.4 acres the yield per acre up to July 31, 1936, had been 

6,964 barrels of oil. The first oil on the dome in the W% sec. 82 was 

produced in September 1929. By the end of July 1936 this pool had 

produced 201,716 barrels of oil, which is a yield per acre of 6,300 

barrels of oil for this 7-year period. The rate of yields of the wells 

'in sees. 17 and 32 has been greatly increased byl treating the oilbearing beds in the uppermost part of the Siliceous lime with hydrochloric acid. The four wells in the SE14 sec. 17, which were given 

acid treatment in 1934, yielded an average total of 266 barrels a 

month in the year prior to treatment and an average of 3,864 barrels 

of oil per month during the 2y2 years following treatment. The 

wells produced more oil in the 1% years following the first acid 

treatment than they had produced in the 6 years prior to treatment. 

The wells in sec. 32 responded to acid treatment almost as well 

as those in sec. 17.

The crest of one of the untested domes in T. 23 N., R. 10 E., that 

appears favorable for prospecting for oil in the Siliceous lime is in 

the Wy2 sec. 20, and the crest of the other most promising dome is 

in the SW14 sec. 4, as shown by the structure contour map drawn on 

the top of the Oswego lime (fig. 1). The contours shown in figure 1 

are projected from few subsurface data, because so few wells have 

been drilled here, but the few available datum points on the Oswego 

lime were supplemented by structure contour maps of the surface 

rocks. Each of the domes in the Oswego lime is overlain by either 

an anticlinal nose or a dome in the surface beds, according to available surface-structure contour maps. The crests of the folds in the 

Siliceous lime are probably offset short distances to the northwest 

from the crests of the folds in the surface beds. Test wells in the 

center of the north line of the SW% sec. 20 and in the center of the 

Ei^NE^SW^ sec. 4 should encounter the Siliceous lime at depths 

of about 2,500 feet. Experience in the oil fields in sees. 17 and 32 

indicates that, if oil is found, acid treatment of the reservoir beds will 

greatly increase the yield of the wells.

If oil is found in the Siliceous lime on the domes in sees. 20 and 4 

the anticlinal nose extending southward into the NW1/^ sec. 29 and 

the structural terrace in the NW1^ sec. 3 may warrant testing; also 

the dome shown in parts of the SEi/4 sec. 17 and the SW^ sec. 16 

may deserve an additional test. Well 2 in the southwest corner of 

sec. 16, on the south flank of the dome, penetrated the upper beds of 

the Siliceous lime but found them barren of oil and gas.

 O