The herald., 1896-01-08
DIFFERENT USES FOR OIL
Several Means of Utilizing Crude Pc
tr0Ieum to Advantage
New Refinery In Project-Grindstones Can
Be Made of Oil SandItems From
Among the Derricks

The prevailing low price of crude oil has
had the effect of producing some specula-
I ton as to other uses to which it might be
put that would result advantageously to
the producer. Refining crude petroleum
has been tried with some success, but has
not met with favor by those who reside
near the refinery. The city council is
considering an ordinance prohibiting the
further maintenance of the industry, and
it is generally believed that no further
progress will be made in that direction I'M
til the matter is settled. There are par
ties in the city, however, who are interest
ed in new process for refining oil, which
they claim would do away with all the OBJ
jectionable features complained of as ex-
! listing in the present refinery. What effect
the intended legislation will have upon
the plans Of those who were intending to
establish a refinery cannot yet be learned.
In all probability the proposed ordinance
will not become a law. and in that case
there will no doubt be another important
| industry developed from the ri ch store of
oil in this region.
Another use which is proposed to be
made out of the local oil industry is the
manufacture of grindstones from the sand
tleman who is an expert in such matters
has tested the sand which accompanies
the oil in all of the wells in the field, and
which is afterwards deposited in the bot.
tom of the tanks, said it was as good as
any and could easily be converted into
! grindstones OF superior quality. There
| Is a sufficient quantity raised from the
wells, he said. to maintain a substantial
| industry, and sooner OF later it will be de-
| veloped.
| The blacksmiths of the city have discov-
| cred another means of utilizing crude oil,
| which they claim is of great advantage in
| their trade. Instead of building the usual
wood fire about wagon tire when heating
! II for resetting, about quart of petroleum
Is poured over few shavings or straw. 1t
| is then lighted, and accomplishes the work
formerly done by the slow process of burn
ing wood, in less time and at much smaller
expense OF money and trouble.
The Los Angeles Oil and Transportation
company is engaged in putting its boat in
shape for transporting oil. The boat has
been overhauled, and is now being
equipped with wooden tanks. The COM
pany expects to have her ready for service
some sine in February.
A large tank belonging to The American
Crude Oil company burst at the bottom
| few days ago, and over 400 barrels were
| turned loose. The oil ran into the slump
holes of two adjoining wells, without being
! lost or doing any particular damage.
When the tank had been drained it was
| found to contain 800 barrels of sand, all OF
which had been pumped from the we'll
| with the oil.
The pump was put in the Rex company g
we'll No. yesterday, and will be started
today. 1t is believed that this will be one
of the best wells opened in the field during
! the past two months.
Well number five belonging to the same
| company is 200 feet deep. The tubing has
been drawn from the first weel drilled by
the company preparatory to cleaning it.
The drill is $50 feet down in the Green
we'll above Belmont avenue.
| The Wiley we'll on West State street,
near Lakeshore avenue, has been drilled to
depth of 900 feet and will be connected
with the pump within the next few days.
Lehman & Mills have got the pump to
| work in their well on West Stae street
| and good stream of oil is being raised.
| The drillers are once more at work i'm the
Iona company's we'll on Temple street,
| hear Figueroa street.
| Great quantities of gas have been found
| in Beach, Young d Cochran's we'll on Tenn
pie street. The hole is now over 600 feet
| deep.