Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-19
NEW OIL TERRITORY.
Pittsburg Capital Helping to Develop
the Kentucky Field.
A REFINERY ALMOST COMPLETED.
Big Revolution in the Oil Trade Of the
Country Predicted.
BASE OF SOUTHERN SUPPLY CHANGED

A number of Pittsburg capitalists are
largely interested in the erection of a new
oil refinery at small place called Oil City,
Barren county, KY, on the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad. about ITO miles south
Of Louisville. The refinery is nearly COM
pleted, and through it will be supplied q
large portion of the Southern and Southwest
ern oil trade. The refinery is owned
by the Kentucky Southern Oil and Gas
Company, which is composed of Northern
and Southern capitalists. Pittsburg has
contributed a large portion Of the capital.
and nearly all the material for the erection
of the plant. The iron and steel material
necessary for the construction of the tanks,
still and bleachers were made here.
The refinery will begin operations with
capacity Of over ], 900 barrels per week. 1t
is the only one of any consequence in the
South. 1t is located in the center Of the
territory controlled by the company, which
includes nearly all that is developed in
Barren and Warren counties. It is re-
garded by those interested here as an i'm
portant factor in the oil industry of the
country, as it will interfere largely with the
Northern market
A SAVING ON FREIGHT.
1t means change of the base of supply
to the South, and saving of nearly 81 per
barrel to Southern consumers. Taking into
consideration the commercial location, the
saving in freight, and the quality of the oil,
as compared with the product of the Brad
ford and Washington fields, the opening up
of the Kentucky fields is regarded of in
estimable value to the South. The South
ern trade, including the Southern exports,
is estimated to be at least 10, 900 barrels
daily, and it is claimed for the new field
that this can be supplied.
A prominent manufacturer of this city,
who is interested in the development of the
Kentucky field, said yesterday: 'The
starting of the new refinery will enable the
Kentucky Southern OIL and Gas Company
to supply a portion of the oil trade which
has heretofore drawn its supplies from the
Northern fields. Naturally the people of
Kentucky feel very proud of the outlook.
The refinery is modern in its construction
and is under the management of George
Sweetser, who is known as one OF the pio-
neers in the refining of oil, and who for sew
eral years was at the head of the Sweetser
Oil Company.
''The wells already completed in Barren
county have daily capacity of over 300
barrels, and it is believed that the territory
now developed will produce over 10, 900
barrels per day. Oil operators recognize
in the Kentucky fields many favorable
features in the shape of shallow drilling
and light cost of operations, as compared
with work of that character in the North.
SAID TO BE GOOD OIL.
'"The oil Is of a superior quality owing to
its large yield Of illuminating products.
The geographical location is favorable, as q
saving of freight is afforded. Many believe
that field has been opened up second only
to Bradford in its extent and value, and an
epoch is marked in the history of the COM
mercial South, which must attract attention,
not only from those of US directly interested
in the oil business, but all who can look ap-
approvingly on the progress and advance
ment of the South and her commercial in
dustries."
It was also learned from reliable source
that Pittsburg, Buffalo and New York capi-
talists were forming syndicate to put down
twenty wells in the Barren county field,
operations to be commenced at once. The
new town, Oil City, only received its name
a few days ago. 1t is growing rapidly, and
is expected to have a large population very
soon. Many new enterprises are talked of
such as wood alcohol factories, barrel fac
tories and glass houses. With the advan-
tages of natural gas in abundance, which
has proven of such 1nestimable value to
Pittsburg, the future outlook of Oil City is
Of bright character.