The San Francisco call., 1898-01-30
NEWS OF THE MINES.

production of the State. The oil fields are already second in mineral impor- tance in this State, with but small be- ginning in their development. During the year prospecting for oil has been three times as active as two years ago. and boring Tor oil all along the coast will be one or the features of 1898.
 California petroleum is chiefly valua- ble as fuel, and the future market for IL in Paclf1c regions where coal Is dear Is limitless. The establishment of beet sugar factories is one thing that Is stim- ulating the search for oil. Prospecting Tor oil is being eagerly pursued about the Chino factory, and the factories of Mon terey County are spurs to the search in that region The Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe railroad companies are both vigorously prospecting on the railroad a cheap fuel supply. The manufactur- ing industry of San Francisco and the bay region presents future market for an immense output. The trouble with the market in this direction is that until the supply becomes adequate and perma- nent and there Is an assurance of stable expense of adapting their power plants to oil consumption. When producing fields are multiplied, production made abundant and supply and price can be safely calculated on San Francisco will undoubtedly become great consumer of fuel oil. which should cost but half as much as coal per horsepower It already consumes several thousand barrels a month
 oil deposits occur throughout the coast region from humboldt County south in conjunction with the widespread sand stones and unaltered shades. oil seepages may be observed throughout this region, but in so few places nave prospecting drills been put down that oil experts are Justified in saying that prospecting has hardly begun and that the present annual product of about 900 900 barrels Is slight compared with the certain production of the future.
 The original indications, which. when followed, resulted in the discoveries of were no more noticeable than hundreds or others yet disregarded. Boring for water discovered the oil supply at Sum meriand. slight oil seepage in the city or Los Angeles prompted a man to bore a little way for luck. His results prompt ca boring elsewhere. and an oil excite ment followed. It cannot be doubted that many reservoirs of oil as great or greater than that under Los Angeles are hidden along the coast range awaiting the lucky blows of drills
 The chief discovery of the year has been near Coalinga, Fresno County. which Is already producing quite largely rom three or four good wells About Si5O,OOO has been expended in drilling there.~a and oil City probably has large future The Los Angeles field keeps up us production and is being extended. The OiI Producers Association there is sue ceeding we'll in keeping the price up to VI a barrel and in retaining most of the celpts or oil by the trustees in December were 3s,S4O barrels. Storage capacity for 6O.OoO barrels will soon be ready. Ship ments from Los Angeles to San Fran CISCO are now about 10 900 barrels month ": The Standard oil Company is report ed to be trying to secure contracts for .he delivery of oil, and there Is specula- Ion as to the intentions of the monopoly.