The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-28
Better Quality of Petroleum Sc
cured From a Lower
Strata.
HoNEYCOMBED WITH BoRINGs,
Property-OWnerS Making Haste to
Profit by the Sinking of
Wells.

measurements made in the oil fields by q
special committee show the average depth
of the wells to be 785 feet the minimum
being 800, and the maximum HOO feet
the oil-beaung sand is struck at different
depths, varying with the location of the
well. The general contour of the oil terri
tory Is rough and billy, and beneath the
soil, which is not deep, lies stratum of
clay, and deeper down are different strata,
mostly of clay and fine gravel. Three
wells have been sunk beyond the first
stratum of oil sand and into lower one,
the result being better quality of oil,
much lighter in gravity and of a different
color The oil from the upper stratum has
an asphalt base and is black in color, while
the second sand is of brownish shade
when it first appears, turning afterward to
a greenish hue. There is an odor of kero-
sene about it and it can be readily ignited
by match, while the black oil cannot be
lighted unless it is heated to high tenn
perature.
There is still strong talk of organizing
company to utilize the flow of natural gas
that now goes to waste, but no definite
steps have been taken to that end.
The statements made to a reporter by H.
G. Croker on his return to San Francisco,
to the effect that the Southern Pacific Com
pany would substitute oil for coal through
out its entire system announce another
step forward for the oil industry of Los
Angeles and most important testimonial
to the cheapness of oil over coal as fuel.
During the past few days a number of
capitalists from the north have paid
visit to the oil fields, and from their IN
quiries 1t is evident that move is on foot
to furnish the much-needed water trans
portation. Charles A. Hooper of the San
Pedro Lumber Company and ex-senator
FELTON, have thoroughly investigated the
matter and it is hoped have been sufficiently
impressed with its importance to interest
capital to fit out number of tank ships.
Mr.. FELTON, is known as one of the leading
spirits in the Pacific Coast Oil Company,
corporation that has made vast sums of
money out of the industry, owns large
tankage facilities in San Francisco and is
engaged at present in fitting out tank ships
for its own uses. During Mr.. Feltons
visit he was thoroughly posted on the
situation here, afforded every facility for
investigation, and it is believed that he
will become identified with the Los An
geles fields either in wells or transporta-
ton lines.
The charter of the oil exchange has ar
rived and that body is now in position to
enter into legal contracts, carry on negoti-
ations and close up business matters per-
tanning to it.
Notwithstanding the fact that the sur
plus keeps piling up every day, new wells
are being sunk in every direction, and the
dealers in oil well supplies can hardly keep
up with the demand for borers and ma
chinery. Eastern men are surprised at
the number of wells that have been sunk
in such a small area, as many as five wells
being bored in many places in space not
exceeding 1OOx150 feet. 1t is claimed that
one well should be sufficient for at least
one acre of ground, and that the cost Of
fully four-fifths of the wells now operating
could have been saved by combination of
persons interested; that there is only a
certain quantity of oil contained in the
field and instead of 800 wells, as at present,
forty would be ample, the surplus would
be kept down, better prices would prevail
and it would take longer to exhaust the oil.
However that may be, every man who
where there is no well is clearing that lot
of membranes preparatory to sinking
one, or negotiating lease with some one
who has money TO bore well.
The gratifying results which have fol-
lowed the boring of deep wells have had
the effect of convincing owners of shallow
wells of the advisability of sending the
drill deeper down into the oil sand. and
wherever this has been done an increased
flow has been the invariable rule.
The proprietors of the Nelson-L ongstreet
spouting well claim that the output during
the last four weeks has been fully 5000 bar
rels, and there seems to be plenty left.
The new Wing well on Welcome street in
twenty, four hours pumping turned out ITO
barrels, as did also Joe Bayer's we'll on
State street.
While the use of oil is gradually increas-
ing, it is safe to say that under existing
conditions there is a daily addition to the
surplus on hand of $500 barrels, and the
prices obtained in some instances for oil,
by men who are hard up and forced to SELL
are absurdly low.
Regarding the use of oil by the Southern
California Railroad, the San Demanding
Sun says:
Since the Southern California Railway COM
menced using petroleum for fuel it is estimated
that the imports of coal from the British mines
to San Diego have fallen off nearly a third
At present fifteen engines on this system
have been altered to oil-burners, said Pas
senger Agent Mitchen yesterday, and fully
thisty-fve more are now undergoing the same
necessary changes. This policy of using oil
Tor fuel has been so successfully demonstrated
by the Southern California road that every
engine in freight and passenger service will be
altered TO meet the new requirements as
rapidly as possible, and only the old style coal
burners will be used on the hills. The con-
yenience OF easy firing up, the entire absence
OF smoke and cinders, the more intense heat.
are added as an extra inducement to the an
nual saving of over 100000 in the cost of
fuel.
The largest single sale yet made is one
reported few days ago of 10000 barrels
for use of the iron and steel company.
Although the price was very low, few
more such orders if they could be had
would relieve the congestion and better
prices would prevail.
NO CONFERENCE HELD.
The ReDorted Elevation of IT. H. Hunt