The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-12
CHINESE GAS WELLS.
They Rise in Large Nambers Near
Tsi.lin Using.

Colonel Samuel Friel, who has bsen travelling
through the various localities 10 the foreign
countries where oil and gas are found, was
visitor in this city on bis way to the Indiana
coal fields. He related the following regarding
the gas OF the Chinese Empire: "The princI-
pal natural gas wells Ia China are located near
the town of Tsi-ln Using. in the vicinity Of
which large numbers Of wells are found.
These latter, In fact. appear 10 have really been
responsible for the exploration OF the former.
To make a well the Chinese use a long
and elastic bamboo pole. supported in the
middle By a cross piece. a rope made by coup
ling the ends OF long slices OF bamboo, and an
iron instrument which weighs about 16O
pounds. Tie rope is fastened on the thin end
of the pole and the Iron on the end OF the rope.
slight up aud down motion OF the thick end
of the pole makes the iron jump and bore
portion OF tho rock IS disintegraTed clear water
Is poured into The mole, large
bamboo tube with valve IN the bottom is
lowered and The turbld water Is raised 20 the
top. Pieces OF cypress wood are Tammed in 10
protect the sides OF the bored hole and 10
prevent the wat~r contained in the surround
ing ground from getting access 10 Tie well.
The pipes are attached 10 each other at the
ends with nails, hemp aud tung oil. The
inner width OF the pipe is about FIVE inches.
As the work proceeds the pipes are rGmTned
deeper and new uue is attached on The top.
The rope. too, IS made longer AT deplh
varying from 100 10 1000 feet the brine
Is raised 10 the Top through long bamboo tubes
and bamboo ropes, by means Of horse within,
aud 10 then carried 20 large pans for evapora-
lion. or led TO them through bamboo pipes.
besides these wells there are others which
are bored TO depth OF 1900 10 1000 feet. AT
that distance below the surface petroleum is
struck. Immediately on reaching II an inflam-
matOTy gas escapes with great violence. WORK
Is then stopped and wooden cap fastened
over the mouth of the pit, perforated by several
rows OF round holes.
In each of them bamboo pipe Is inserted.
and through these the gas Is lea under The
evaporation pans. The pipes ramify and at
each end taperiDg mouthpiece Is attached.
The gas IS then used for eVaporallng the BRINE.
Tine enterprising spirit which Induced the
Chinese 10 examine the ground at so great
depth is said TO have had its origin In the dry
ing up OF brine pit. The proprietor was in
hopes of meeting brino al greater derth, but
found. instead, the gas. When the country was
Infested with rebels during the TAPPING rebellion
they moved the cap from one of the gas pits and
set fire 10 II. Since that time a long column OF
fire has risen from the pit, and 1t makes beau
tful scene. There have been a large number OF
test wells drilled IN different parts of the Chi
nese Empire, but the most imporI ant find Of Pc
troieum was struck by Americans in test well
on the To-ChaDg, which caught fire aud burned
1t is great country. but | prefer the United
States, as IL is the only country on the globe'-
Oledo Commercial.