Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-12-12

G annually used in or exported from the Stat
d the geological level along which we mus
P look for new discoveries of petroleum.
h That the oil originates in this group o
y strata, is, however, by no means certain
i On the contrary, it seems more probable
s that it merely accumulates in them, as ;
d convenient reservoir, when flowing from an
other source. These rocks are mechanical
: sediments, which are in Ohio, generally
e destitute of organic remains whether ami
e mails or plants. They are, however, otter
: quite porus, and strong currents of water
: flow through them. The Hamilton Shales,
on which they rest, contain an amount Of
: carbOnaceOus matter probably equal to all
= that included in the coal measures. Here,
L suspect, most of the oil originates. From
this bituminous mass, as distilled by na-
ture's process, it would rise through every
fssure by the pressure of the incumbent
rocks, or water, which is specifically, hea-
vier. A few layers of the Waverly series
are highly charged with the debris of veg
etable and marine shells, and these may
generate some oil; but for the most part
what they contain is of foreign origin. The
source to which have referred it is so en-
tirely sufficient, both as regards its posi-
ton and character, that it seems unneces-
sary to look farther. Over nearly all the
northern part of the State, where the Por-
tage and Chemung rocks are exposed, pc
trOleum may be found exuding them in
greater or less abundance; but it is only at
comparatively few points that it is found
in paying" quantity.
The Oil Greek region in Pennsylvania is
one of these series of oil centres. There
the wells are sunk from 20 to over 500
feet-Often to, and sometimes apparently
through, the Portage group. The oil Oc-
ours at all depths 1t is frequently found
saturating the surface deposits, and the
deepest bore has not reached beyond it
1t flows in fssures with water, and that
from neighbOring wells differs much in
quality: all of which facts seem to indicate
that it is derived from a somewhat remote
source below. The oil of Titusville is
very thin, varying shades of brown in col
or, and has specific gravity of So to 4O7
Beaume.
Not very far distant from the Oil Creek
region is that of Mecca, Trumbull county,
Ohio. Here some 200 wells are being ber-
ed, and dozen or more have been success
fully pumped. The geological level of the
Mecca wells is the same as that of Titus
vile, but they are generally less deep; va
rying from 80 to 200 feet, while most are
about 80. The rock is soft, bluish-white
sand stone, with partings of clay shalc,
sometimes quite saturated with oil. The
yield of the wells is from to 20 barrels
each per day. The oil is much thicker
than that of Pennsylvania, has a greenish
brown color, and comparatively little Odor
Its specific gravity is from 2S0 to 3O7.-
For many miles around Mecca, signs of oil
are found-in the wells sunk for water, on
the surface of streams. &C.; and the aggre-
gate production of oil from that district
will unquestionably be very large.
Uses OF PETROLEUM.
l. AS an Wiminator.-Th ligh ter
varieties of rock oil may be burned with
proper lamp in their natural state, but all
yield on distillation from so to 50 per cent.
of burning fluid, which affords remarka-
bly, powerful, and at the same time, soft
ant pleasant light No lamp, as far as l
am aware, has yet been invented in which !
it can be well burned without a chimney; !
but those now 50 generally used for coal
OIL are equally well adapted tOT its use
In these it burns with brilliancy fully
equal to that of the best oil distilled from
coal, with less tendency to smoke, and b
with no offensive odor, and lasts as long. I
Its light is superior to that of the pur- !
EST sperm oil, and at present prices cost less /
than half as much. Affording so brilliant, II
so portable, and so safe light, at so small +
L price, it possesses every requisite for a 5
popular illuminator, and must ultimately
all those now in use except gas, !.
which though more expensive, is less trOub- "
esome, than any lamps can be, and hence =
will continue to be used to some extent a
n towns. Il
2. As LuJricater.-The rosk oils,
which like those of Mecca and Grafton,
ave in their natural state, thick and s.
,ily consisteHce, and not very offensive IL
dor, are excellent lubricators for machin-
ry as they come from the wells-not be- a
ng liable to "gum," and retaining to 81
,reat degree, their fuidity in the coolest II
Weather. Care should be taken in the G;
Ise of the crude oil as lubricatOr, to see b
hat it is free from fine sand, which is some d
lines mechanically mixed with it as it is Il
jumped up. 1t is even probable that all p
uch oils would be improved by subjecting
hem to a hasty distillatiOn to rid them of ii
my foreign matter they might contain SC
The Mecca oil, when thoroughly washed, N
las been used by a number of engineers, cc
nd, so far as heard, to their entire sat
sfaction. In the process of refining. all m
he varieties of petroleum yield portion OF
f heavy lubricating oil. The quantity Of at
this is prOpOrtiOnatc to the specific gray st