The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1904-12-23
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
In the OH
s.d Gas Field
Formation of Petroleum, Bert
RoWlbY's Theory

Bowlby's Theory
Since our oil wells are fed by an
almost mex haustible supply we must
consider what could be the most
likely source OF Its origin. The source
must be almost inexhaustible In order
that the product could be likewise.
It 10 necessary to depart from the
subject of petroleum proper, to gather
evidence with which to prove our
theory. It has been proven that the
atmos pheric gases can be condensed
by a combination Of pressure with
cold. And it Is said that all gases can
he condensed by the same process
In looking around for the inexhaust'
ible source of the supply, and know
ing that all gases can be and are cen
densed by combination OF pressure
with cold, we have arrived at the
iconclusion that the inexhaustible
source IL Che heat on the interior OF
the earth, and that petroleum Is q
product Of the gases generated by the
heat on the Interior. The gases are
forced outward toward the surface
by pressure caused by the constant
generation of gases, and rs they come
nearer to tue surface they become
cool, and being under great pressure,
they coudense.
The very conditions that are necc es'
sary for the condensation Of gases are
known to exist on the interior OF the
earth. 1t is not presumed that the
gases pass through the process OF
condensation at the very depth at
which they were found 10 condensed
state-petroleum-but that they were
condensed at a point or depth below
the earth's surface at which the
temperature was of a sufficient degree
to permit of the process of condensa-
tion taking place, and after the gases
we're condensed they were forced out
ward toward the surface by the In
tense heat pressure caused by tht
constant generation Of gases behind
them and they continue to come OUT
ward 80 long as there are cracks Oh
crevices or pores 10 the rock through
which they can pass. But coming III
contact with a formation Of rock 10
which there are no crevices or pores,
they stop, and the prospector must
drill down to meet them, when they
will rush out at the top Of the well.
and continue to rush out until the
pressure on the roCa-which has
required thousands Of years to gather
has been decreased to such an extent
that it is too weak to lift up the tiuld
from the bottom to the top OF the
hole. When the we'll has ceased
flowing, pumping outfit is placed
into it and the petroleum. came
near saying condensed gases - IL
pumped through tubes.
But 1T comes to pass when the
pressure on the rock, hundreds OF feet
below the bottom Of the we'll which
the prospector has drilled, becomes 81
weak that it will not raise the flulo
from the lower depths up to the level
with or into the bottom OF that WE'LL
and that prospector abandons his
property, rather than lowering the
pumping outfit, because to lower the
pumping outfit would require the
drilling of hole 10 and into the next
formation of rock containing oil and
gas. Just how far below the upper OF
top formation the second lies, no man
can tell until he has drilled hole
deep enough to penetrate 1t; that is,
in such localities where such holes
have not been already drilled.
Another fact which lends greatly to
the theory that petroleum ia the gases
generated In the heart of the earth
by the intense heat existing there is
that the gases coming from the mouth
Of an oil or gas we'll do condense when
they are subje- ted to degreerof
temperature lower than 80 degrees
above zero.
1t is not an uncommon thing TO set
a man applying heat to gas lines dur
ing the winter months. You ask
him, What seems to be the Difficult
TYP" and he will reply. "The gas is
frozen up ami I am thawing it," He
could just as easily say, "The gases
have condensed and am regenerat-
ing them" fer truly if the gases are
warmed they become liquid and pass
through the pipes in liquid form, but
IL they are made hot and given a
little more time, they will assume the
same form they we're in. when CONT X
from the mouth of the well-Datural
gas and IL they are made still hotteI
they will ignite and assume the same
form they were in when they were 10
the heart of the earth, fiery mass.
Now the fact that gas is present ir
wells which produce petroleum does
not, in the least, conflict with the
...ln.,o tl,ot nat rolouno ie pnndanepC