Sistersville oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1896-1901, 1898-07-06
Percent.

heIOSene..-... ......."oO
Residum, or fuel OIL. .........,.. so
Loss ,,,,,,.......- $3.50. 10
100
"There is no doubt that when
the business was first established,
it was with a view of commanding
the kerosene trade of this coast, as
that of the United States is worth,
say, I5s. per case of 10 gallons ard
the residum of fuel oil as a by-pro-
duct at the rate of 25s. to sos. per
ton delivered at its destination,
running the risk of being able to
dispose of the benzine in some way
or other at fair price: But, un-
fortunately, this industry seems to
have met with the very serious diff
Guilty of not being able to produce
a kerosene that can complete in
quality with that produced in the
United States, owing to the crude
oil of this district being, like that
of California, of an asphaltum ma
ture, while that of the eastern part
of theUnited States parahne one.
This state of affairs must therefore
continue until such time as bril-
liant burning kerosene can be pro-
duced at a cost that will allow of its
competing with that from the
United States, which, according to
the reports Of the tests made with
the crude oil of this district by ex-
perts in different countries, can be
carried out.
"Within this region, which at
present embraces a distance of
about one and three quarters miles
in length north and south and about
one mile from the sea beach island,
sixty wells have been sunk, some
of which have already given out,
and number of others yield an in
sufficient quantity, but in the opin-
ion of the experts now employed IN
sinking new wells, if the old ones
were cleaned ont and deepened the
product would double itself.
The business, therefore, at pres.
emf is somewhat confined to the
sale of crude oil for smelling pur.
poses at the Casapalca Silver Mines
(rather dangerous to transport, by
sea and rail-, q limited sale for the
kerosene on account of its quality,
and consequently a limited sale of
the residuum or fuel oil, due to the
increase in the cost Of its manufac'
ture through not being able to dis
pose of the total production Of the
kerosene and benzine at good
prices. Should the Government
carry out the idea of production OF
crude oil on account Of its highly
infammable nature, which at one
time was talked of, it would prove
very detrimental to this important
interest in the development of which
enormous capital has been ex-
pended.
The property Of the Faustino
Piaggio company is situated at
point called "Zorritos," a consider
able distance north of Talara. 1t
embraces an area Of 100000.
square metres, and has in operation
since 1864, from which time up to
date, 100 wells have been sunk, all
Of which have been productive.
There are at present only 20 yield
ing, which, according 10 data fur
nished by the owner, produce TO-
600 gallons per day, or say 1900
tons per month. They are now
constructing two extra deposit
tanks of 900 tons each, and con-
template obtaining, like Talara. a
special steamer, when they propose
to augment their production by
sinking other wells.
Two classes Of kerosene are
produced, and the residuum is con-
verted into lubricating oil.
The works comprise railway,
moletank capacity to store 1000
tons of crude oil, workshops, and
machinery necessary for the ex
traction and refining the oil, ware
houses and accommodation for en-
pioyes. The refinery is Of sufficient
capacity to produce 5000 cases of
kerosene, which is more or less Of
the same quality as that of Talara.
The property of the ComPagn'e
Franchise is situated near the port
of Grau, and comprises a area of D.
2oo,o 900 square metres, and its
capital augmented from 100000
to 5000, 900 frances. 1t is still in
its infancy, as work was only COM