The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20
DRILLING LESS ACTIVE
IN KANSAS OIL FIELDS
Scarcity of Water Prevents Actual
Operations, but Preparations Are
Made for Future Work.
A FEW GOOD PRODUCERS

COfFEfNlLLE, Kan, Dec. H.-With an
advance OF but i cent-in the price of oil.
the past week in the Kansas oil fields has
been less lively than at many former peri
DDS. One of the great hindrances that has
developed In the Independence field the past
week is the scarcity OF water. There has
been almost complete shutdown on the
part Of the drillers. Efforts have been made
to furnish an adequate supply for the needs
OF the producers. but thus far they have
not been very successful. The lapse will
cause quite a difference In results from
what was anticipated at the beginning Of
the month. but the delay is only temporary,
and the best possible use Is being made
of the time. Around the Independence Geld
alone, II Is estimated that fifty new rigs
have been constructed while work on drill
ing wells is tied up, and when the water
supply is sufficient. the increase on new
work will be very perceptible-
Those who have production and have been
able to keep It going into the lines reap
ing the benefits Of higher price than was
paid at the first Of the week, the market
advancing cent the 9Th, making the
quotation for North Neodesha oil Sis and
South Neodesha oil s1-ss This is considered
an excellent price, and is an incentive for
finishing up work as rapidly as possible.
Producers in the Indian Territory are get
ting better service in transportation of their
oil than has heretofore been afforded. On
account of the refusal OF the department
officials at Washington to allow the con-
struction of a pipe line through the Chero-
kee Nation, IL has been necessary to haul
the oil in tank cars from Bartlesville to
the refinery at Neodesha, Kan. Considerable
difficulty was encountered in getting sufn-
cient tank cars to haul the product. In
order to get around this difficulty the
Prairie Oil and Gas Company has estab-
lished a pumping station at Caney, q sta
ton near the Kansas-Territory line, and
here all oil from the territory will be
dumped, thence pumped through the big
pipe lines to the refinery at Neodesha- This
will, In a measure, obviate the long haul by
rail over railroads now fairly swamped
with business. and the daily production can
the thns n the OH eds
Of Kansas the past week was the big pur-
chase of leases and lands by Cleveland CO.,
of Cleveland. completed the deals for over
10000 acres of the choicest oil lands. lying
In Labette county, around Coneyville and
In the eastern part OF Chautauqua county:
leases alone of over $4,000. Mr. Coons says
he and hts backers will put not less than
purchase probably is the largest single tran
saction in the history OF the Kansas oil
fields. The Cleveland men have organized
ss " vii
ten drilling rigs, hired a full quota OF men
for each and Will begin the development
Near Bartlesviiie. I. T.. the Cudahy on
Company has completed its fourth and NTH
wells located on the northwest quarter OK
Section II. Range rs north, Cherokee Maiden:
for xxvac "a rlrQn
at fifty barrels, but No failed TO hit
pay streak and will be added 70 the list
Of busters. There Is not a very long LIST st
the month showed ten wells drilling. three
rigs up and a daily production or about
1.5oo barrels for the Bartlesviiis dis.nct o,,
and Gas Company has completed q good
well in the southeast quarter OF Secoon y.
Range 20 north. In Neosho county the HUG.
son Oil Company has brought in Gpo6
well on the Francis farm. southwest quarter
of Section "a. 1t started flowing wqen
drilled In and made seventy barrels n <ne
In the Peru field the Kansas National
OIL Company brought in q good we'll Inc
first days gauge recorded a productiSn OF
The Commerciai Crude on Company
brought in a fine well In the Chanute dis
trict this week. The well Is flowing all the
res srV Gay Ths e.
install a number of pumps on the holdings
of this company.
Other results OF the week are as follows:
The Republic OIL Company got forty BAR
rel we'll in the Peru field: the Honestake
Oil Company brought in seyenfy-two
barrel well in the Chanute district: the
Commercial Crude Oil Company. IN tie
Chanute district, brought in q fifty-barrel
well; the Phoenix Company. in the Hum
boldt field, brought In good forty-barrei
well, the company's eleventh well In this
field.
Many Eastern men are going into Kansas
oil companies and taking an active part In
the developments. Not hotel In the oil
belt but Is filled to its utmost capacity.
day and night. with oil men from the
East, the South and the West Operations
for the coming week promise 10 be active
NOT