The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-09
lola OIL AND GAS
Dr. Geo. [. Adams of the Geo.
logical Survey.
GIVES HIS OBSERVATIONS
Takes in the Eastern Section
of the State.

Washington. Dec. s.-Dr. George 1.
Adams. of the United States Geological
Survey. spent part of last summer study
ing the oil and gas resources of the lola
quadrangle, Kansas With the assistance
OF Prof. Erasrus Haworth and Prof. w
r. Crane of Kansas University, Dr. Nd
ans made detailed survey of this
quadrangle. which had been surveyed to-
geographically during the summer Of 1872.
This quadrangle is a part Of the Kan
sas Indian territory oil and gas field
The most important towns are lola.
Chanute. Humboldt. and La Harpe. which
lie in the more productive portion OF the
field. Bronson. Moran, Ellsworth. Savon-
burg. and Erie are in the eastern border
of the field within the area surveyed.
The present rapid development of the
territory is the result Of prospecting
which has been conducted in the general
field since 1se5. Gas was first struck in a
we'll at lola in d7S. but no considerable
quantity was found BEFORE 1898. The dis
covery of oil in commercial quantities
occurred about the same time at Neoda-
she 1t was not until 1900 that drilling for
oil in the lola quadrangle began. as Il
result of the development OF a small
field al Chanute
The development of the gas resources
was stimulated by the fact that cheap
gas would make possible the introduction
of certain desirable industries. The large
lead and zinc smelters at lola. Gas City.
La Harpe and Chanutc ana the cement
works at lola have all been established
since the discovery OF gas in the lola
quadrangle.
The immediate market value OF oil mas
been sufficient incentive for prospectors
in searche of that commodity. The growth
of the field during the last two years
has been so rapla that Il mas been diff
cult to keep pace with its development.
Even since September. when DR.. Adams
left the field. the oil area has been con-
siderably extended. Bulletin 1s4 of the
United States Geological Survey. on the
| Oil and Gas Fields of the Western In
terror and Northern Texas Coal Measures,
which DR.. Adams wrote in 1901 is valua-
bic for its discussion of the general con-
ditions of the field. but is no longer an
adequate statement of present develop
ments
The recent Investigations made by DIR.
Adams and his assistants were the first
close studies ever attempted by the
United States Geological Survey of that
oi-gas field. The inquiry included a
study of the volume OF the flow and the
pressure of the gas. Observations were
made which will help TO estimate the
life of the field. As the history of all gas
fields shows that they ultimately become
exhausted determinations of this kind
are of considerable economic importance.
In certain places in this fed the gas be-
gins to show signs of diminution. but
there is no immediate cause for alarm.
The structure Of the field and tho mode
Of occurrence of the oil were subjects
of inquiry The investigation shows that
the oil i'm the district is contained in oil
bearing sands that are OF limited extent.
but are generally distributed throughout
the field. The oil is rather light and is
adapted to distilation- This fact in
creases its value and accordingly it is not
used as fuel oil. 1t is refined 81 Neo-
desha. TO which point it * either shipped
or pumped through pipe lines Kerosene
and gasoline are chief products.
The even development OF the loia Nero
has made IL attractive TO prOspectors with
moderate capital Numerous oil compa-
MES are working Systematically in the
field The production of individual wells
is rot phenomenal. as 1t was at Beau
mont Tex. but this fact augurS wei for
the life OF the field. Many OF the wells
spout al first. but soon settle down TO
steady production.
The topographic map Of the lola quad
rangle will be available IN January Dur
ing The coming season il Is proposed TO
study the geologic formations Of the IN
dependence quadrangle. witch aejoins the
lola quadrangle. and which was surveyed
geographically last summed Or Ad-
ans report on his recent Investigations
in the oil and gus fields Of the lola quad
rangle will go 20 the public printer about
January ]. When il j. ready for distfi-
button due notice will D. given.