The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-01-14
AT MARION.
Wells Choke Up But the Supply shows no
Signs of Diminishing.

MARION, Jan. 10.-[Special. II have
taken special pains to make inquiry re-
garding natural gas in this particular vi
cinitv rs per instructions. The pressure
of our wells is not diminishing percepti-
bly,. We find that the quantity flowing
from three of them is less in any given
time than when it was first struck. The
pressure in even these wells attains the
same height if the gas is confined long
enough. The theory is, therefore, that
the means of access into the wells be-
ONE somewhat ~obstructed, and if these
Instructions were removed, there would
be no perceptible diminution in the sup
ply.
Gas is supplied for all purposes requir-
ing fuel, and there is no probability of its
use beng curtailed in any way. L have
interviewed several of our best informed
citizens upon the subject of the natural
gas supply. Chief among them, and
perhaps the best informed, was
Mr.. James f. tGabby, super
intendent Of the Missinnewa mining com
pany. Mr.. Gabby said: "If you ask, lis
the supply of gas in this vicinity lessen
ing? / answer, no. We have practically
as nearly an in~exhaustible supply as ever.
There are some reasons why the man who
only knows what is in the reach of all to
know, may think il is l%essening; for in
stance. our stOve-wOrks' well seems TO be
almost exhausted, and yet the rock pres
sure is as great as ever. That well has oil
in IL me also some salt water; these 1t had
from the start. From these substances
there is the formation of crystalized salt
and p~erifene in the pores of the rock.
This eventually so nearly closes them up
that the gas can not enter freely into the
well. We know the pressure is the same.
because when we close the well up, il
soon attains a pressure as great as it had
at the start. 1t will be observed that those
wells upon which the draught.is heaviest
seem To choke up soonest this is caused
by entirely relieving the head or back
pressure in the well, the oil and water
tindingtheir way into the welimore readily.
Shooting will not always make a good
well of it, as the accumulation of crystal
and perifene fills out too far through the
assures. A well sunk within a few feet of
the one thus apparently exhausted will
be as good as the former one was original
ly. The well we drilled in the other day for
the stove-works is equal to any one we
have struck in hat part OF the field.
eli you ask me when the field will be
practically exhausted, / will answer
when there is no more room on the sur
face TO put down wells. If drawn upon at
its full flow, a well will choke in about
three years; il a good back pressure Of
say POO pounds-is allowed to remain in
tl6hTell, it will take many years to ex-
ha1st, or choke it rather, ii ever.
"Our mains through the city are four
inch. This was sufficient to carry the
supply 10 consumer when they were
laid, but the population has so increased
that the mains are too small to carry a
sufficient supply. We sha ! have to take
up our mains and put down eight-inch."
Mr.. Gabby understood that he was 10
90 on record before the public in this
matter. and. being a scientific gentleman
and very jealous Of his reputation, and a