The herald., 1898-10-10
AMONG The OIL WELLS
FACTS ABOUT DER
RICKs AND NATURAL GAS
THE REFUSE ORDINANCE
Doinrs in the Local and Other Fields
Decrease in the Surplus-Notes
Of the Field

The meeting Of the board Of public works
on Friday brought the local oil industry
into more widespread publicity than It has
enjoyed for some time past. One Of the
producers, in defense Of the petition hint
ed at some points which are not generally
known. There Is common impression
among many people not acquainted with
the field that the production Of natural gas
by a we'll ceases as soon as the we'll ceases
its first heavy fow This Is not the case.
On the contrary. a majority Of the fairly
productive wells continually emit a flow Of
gas, in most cases enough to run the pump
ing plant. In fact, a considerable number
Of the newer houses in the oil district are
lighted with this same gas.
1t has always been matter Of wonder
ment to many why the derricks are not
removed after the drilling operations are
completed. 1t Is because there Is con-
stant probability that the casing, for one
reason or another. will have to be raised,
and furthermore. sand, water and other
foreign substances may be suddenly en-
count teaed, and the derrick is Immediately
needed to cope with them. The oil men
would be glad enough to do away with
|
but slightly, and they are not at all un-
likely to blow over in heavy storm. But
until something is contrived which can be
used quickly and surely|in their place. they
are bound to stay. When the ield was first
opened an attempt was made to do away
with the use Of a derrick, but 1t was so
unsatisfactory that the plan has In no in
stance been followed since.
RafnrenCe was reCently m de IN The Her.
aid to the ordinance prohibiting the allow
ing Of any refuse from an oil we'll to get
into a public gutter or sewer. The word
"refuse" gave rise to difference Of op!n-
ion between the oil inspector and certain
producers, the latter maintaing, in oppo-
stion to the inspector. that water could
not be regarded as refuse, when properly
settled and freed from oil. The official
opinion has evidently undergone change.
as no serious objection Is now made to
letting water run into the sewers.
The actual surplus has decreased during
the past month by about 5000 barrels
There are probably 275. 900 barrels now in
stock. The price remains firm at an aver
age Of 30 cents. although one large sale
was completed last week at S11s cents,
while some oil was sold at the we'll
for 81.
The East End presents a good example
of the deterioration of wells in that To-
cality. A number Of wells in that section
started out with 100 barrels a day, and one
| of them with as much as $50 barrels. Now
1t is hard to find one which can be relied
upon for more than six.
The Yukon Oil company is now drilling
its fourth we'll, near Miramar and Alva-
RADIO streets and have found 1t slow and
| expensive. One popularity was developed
in the reaching of a large body of white
water sand about 200 feet down. They ex-
pect to commence another we'll next week.
w. e. De Groot has completed his der
rick on San Joaquin street and Is going for
! ward with drilling operations. De Groot
has decided by this time that he Is not
drilling for either sulphur water or salt
water, but Oil, and he has so admitted.
This places upon the council the RESPONSE
bility of taking the initiative in testing
the limit ordinance, unless It grants the
petition Of the oil men for a reduction of the
distance.
Mr.. Sanford, who is drilling a short dis
tance from Eastlake park. reports that the
situation in his we'll Is practically un-
changed. He is experiencing some trouble
in casing off water.
A new we'll Is being drilled at Newhall
by Mr. Kellerman. 1t is in a district where
some difficulty has been met in handling
the water, but the we'll is not yet far
| enough down to give any reliable indtca-
tions as to Its nature.
The report that Mr.. Garfield Of the Coal
inga OIL company had sold out his interest
in the concern for $780, 900 is denied by that
gentleman, who says that he has not sold
out at all and does not intend to do so.