The Florence daily tribune., 1902-05-23
A Few Facts Concerning Most
important Industry.
Extracts from the Report of R. W. Ellis of the
Geological Survey of Colorado
Reliable and Authentic.

Geological Survey of Canada, and
one of the best known and at the
same time most learned biologists
of this century, came to Colorado
for the. purpose of studying and
reporting on the petroleum lands
in what is known as the Florence
oil basin. A strong combination
of Canadian capitalists are inter
ested in the oil lands i'll this sec
ton, some of the gentlemen being
being members of the Canadian
ministry. DIR. Ellis well known
standing as one of the foremost
authorities ON petroleum geology
is such that his report will be al
most conclusive as to the value of
this field. This never has been
published. and The TRIBUNE has
received permission to print por-
ton of the most important part of
it i'll this oil edition IL is of i'm
mense value TO those who are in
terested in the development of the
oil bearing lands in this county,
and is as follows
To the Hon. Dr. f. w. Borden, NJ. F.,
Minister of Militia and Defense
Ottawa
Sir. | beg to submit herewith n re
port on certain lands situated in the well
known Florence oil basin, in the state OF
Colorado. These properties | have re
Gently examined, and have compared
them with the areas which have for II
number of years been operated for oil
in what is known as the Florence oil
field, with view to ascertain, as far AS
possible, the value OF said lands as IA
profitable source Of oil supply, and also
their probable Importance as suitable
field for investment in this direction.
The discovery of oil in this area, which
is know generally known as the Florence
oil basin, dates back for nearly forty
years. Work by boring was commenced
about 1864 81, and has been carried on
almost continuously to the present time.
In all probability not far from 800 wells
have been sunk in an area of about
twelve to fifteen square miles near the
town of Florence.
1t is stated that there are now about
l35 wells producing oil in this district.
These are usually called bumpers In
the early days of the industry it was
held that the proportion Of producing
wells to barren wells was about one in
ten. Subsequently this ratio became
much reduced, or about one in four
Within comparative recent years this
proportion has been still further reduc-
ed, since according to the statement Of
Mr.. Weaver, one of the most experienced
drillers in this field, who has been inter
ested in the industry for some time, five
out of six wells recently sunk by him
were producers.
As to the life OF these wells, some are
Of comparatively short duration. Others
in the immediate vicinity have been
pumping for number Of years, and one
at least which began to yield in 1883,
with "A daily output of 400 barrels, is
still pumping at a rate not far from 100
well since its commencement is stated
as not far from 2,OOO,0OO barrels of oil
The daily output Of the Florence field
in 1880 is stated by Mr.. G. H. Eldridge
Of the United States geological survey,
in a paper read before the American In
stitute of Mining Engineers. as about
1900 barrels, or, for the year ending
October LIST, 1891, 10000 barrels. The
number of wells drilled in this field up
to the end of 1890 is given in this paper
as 81, and of these it is estimated that
5Il2 per cent are what is known us pro
ducers, while Of the remaining 42ls per
cent, while in some cases showing oil in
more or less quantity, this is not in
amount sufficient to rank them as pro
ducing wells. or these a certain mum
ber have showed no signs Of oil, which il
"A feature characteristic Of all oil fields.
Since the date mentioned, therefore, the
number Of wells has been very largely
increased.
The capacity Of the producing wells is
undoubtedly greater than the amount
stated. In fact. owing to certain condi
tions OF leased lands, it s almost impos-
sible to get an accurate statement as to
the actual production Of certain wells,
since, owing to the royalty of ten per
cent exacted by the owners of the lands
in the case Of leased areas, the tendency
is to under rate the real amount OF the
output. The capacity of the wells varies
greatly and ranges from half barrel a
day to 80 and 200 barrels In this re
spect the output is ON the whole much