Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-13
CHARTERS OIL FIELD.
The Story of Its Exhaustion Secuted by
Operators, Some in and Some Ont of It
Not Many Blanks so Fnr-The Work In
0fheF RieIda

The Story of Its Exhaustion Secuted by
Operators, Some in aud Some Ont of 1t
MOI Many Blanks so Far-The Work In
Other PieIda.
1t has been rumored for some time past
that the CHARTERS oil field was about e1-
hausted. Some people said that develop
ments had discouraged operators, but such
does not seem to be borne out by investlga-
tion. Extended inquiry was made yester-
day in the field, and though most people
found were quite reticent, enough was gath
cred to make the rumor appear somewhat
vague.
Mr.. w. H. Ewing, who is drilling quite e1-
tensively on Montour Run, stated that the
CHARTERS territory had not been sufficiently
tested to determine its probable capacity. He
said the territory between the Arbuckle wells
and the Ohio River had scarcely been
tested at all. There was well
put down in Pine Hollow that was dry, put
that was the only one completed. The wal
lace farm well, northeast, did not strike in the
100 foot SAND sufficient oil to pay, but the
drillers have not abandoned it. They are go
ing further, and, if they do not get oil, teel
confident they viii nnd suInclent gas 70 lore re-
munerate them. This well belongs more prop
erly to the MontouT Run territory. but 1t is
close TO the CHARTERS belt MIR. Ewing said
there had heen no development worth speak
ing of between the Arbuckle farm and Walk
er's mill, and there was room for reasonable
doubt that this section would be found good
paying territory. He said the cause OF monde
Yeiopment was the bad condition of the roads,
it being almost impossible to get material on
the ground.
MT. Ewing was not so communicative regard.
ing his own work three miles further west, but
he did not seem to be in despair. The Knopt
farm well No. is pumping, but no one seems
lien ead ~ Na11 tIFho fc N-ialdfnR p1-
neer on the Imperial Coal Railway stated that
he understood that it was making 10 barrels
day. which in that territory will pay as the
depth to the sand rock is not great. There is
oil in the Schmid farm we'll but how much the
''ofhcious public" cannot ascertain. As this
development is within few feet Of the rail-
way, the bad roads do not interfere.
An operator in the CHARTERS field who re-
fused to allow his name to be used, stated that
he did not regard the territory as sufficiently
tested to condemn it. He said 1t was like all in
this county, somewhat spotted, but he consid-
cred it more uniform than any other found be-
tween Butler county, Shannopin and Washing
ton county. Said he: There has been very
little work done this winter on account of the
bad roads, but results have been very salts
factory. The Union Oil COmpany's well on the
SWEET farm is making 30 to 40 bar
rels a day The Arbuckle wells, Nos.
2 and pay for pumping, and they are close to
the first one which was the gusher that started
the excitement in that field after the Aiken
we'll mad ceased 10 attract aJtenIlOn. One OF
the Aiken wells has had long life for an oil
well, and is still making so barrels day. 1t is
Is months old. The Petrie farm well also
holds out, west of the Arbuckle wells, on the
Clever farm, the Guffys have done well
enough this winter. They got one good well
and one duster. Dry holes are expected, but
they seem no more numerous than in some
other sections considered good. One of the
big Phillips wells in Butler county was sur
rounded by four dry holes, and they were none
of them far from the big gusher. There is at
least a mile of promising territory east of the
Arbuckle wells The Beck well is that far
east, and it is good for four or i've barrels
day and fair gasser in addition. They want
oil, however, and are drilling further. Here is
a mile of territory west of the Arbuckle gusher
which is undeyeloped, and it has big proba-
bilIties in store"
Mr.. Wood, the coal operator, and some other
people are preparing to drill well near the
ohio river, about midway between Sawmill
run and CHARTERS station Pittsburg and Lake
Erie Railway.
On the George Ferree farm in Coraopolis
borough, a strong flow Of gas was struck at a
depth of 700 feet
1t may be that many blanks will be found in
the CHARTERS field, but the bulk of those who
are putting money into it do not seem to feel
apprehensiVe.