The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1911-10-19

Unstable line and connected with heavy or
beam. driven by an engine which continually
raises and releases tSe and permits the drill
TO fall with great force into the hole. With each
drop and by its own weight the drill literally
crushes and pulyerizes the rock into sand. which
is removed with sand pump" from time to tire
It accumuates in the boring. AS the work pro-
and the hole deepens the adjustable line is
heightened and the drill lowered as required.
After drilling to depths varying from 100 to 1000
feet and when creyice Is struck in the rock the
oil is frequently brought TO the surface by the
force OF its own pressure; but II often becomes
necessary, in the flow Of oil is not considered
sufficient, TO insert charge Of explosive at the
bottom Of the boring, shoot" blast the well.
and thus increase the supply After the drilling
and blasting are completed, the well is then cased
with iron piping, known as lining" and pump
inserted.
In the old days each well was pumped separ-
ately but the industry is conducted upon such
an economic and scientific basis that the wells are
pumped in groups by vertable network Of con-
Meeting rods, extending over the fields and driven
by an engine in a centralized station.
In some districts the oil fields have been prac.
tcally honeycombed with wells and the production
Of petroleum greatly reduced or scattered by con.
tinual pumping
As the enterprise grew many complex problems
arose from time to time but they have all been
gradually but effectually solved and the industry
placed upon conservative and economic basis.
The total flow of oil in the United States for
lne year 1909 lne Urbt OF WnlCn any OClal record
has been kept, amounted to only 1000 barrels.
For the year 1909 the production as estimated by
David Day Of the United States Geological Sur
vey amounted TO about l7s 900 900 barrels, which,
II placed in single body would be sufficient to
float a gigantic fleet Of 935 Dreadnought battle
ships OF the new 26.000ton Arkansas type OF the
United States Navy
Gradually the oil derrick wended its way from
a northeastery to southwesterly direction and the
petroleum Industry was extended over vast terri
tory
During the year 1908 there we're 5000 wells
sunk in the United States. OF which but 32l4 were
dry.
Extensive experiments have been conducted to
determine the value Of petroleum as fuel for power
plants as well as for the navy and merchant ma
rine especially in England and the United States
Numerous merchant vessels have been fully
equipped for burning oil fuel and by practical
test, II has been determined that oil will eyaporate
30 per cent more water per pound than coal is
easier TO handle and stow, offers no difficulty in
burning, and. In its use, time formerly wasted in
coang and in useless labor is saved smoke emi- /
mated fuel space economical, steaming and speed
capacities Increased. strain boilers greatly de-
creased ana a clean ship assured at all times
The crude oil OF paraffn base Is particularly de-
iirabe for fuel. and the only obstacles to its uni.
'ersal use are: % Difficulty in obtaining: (2) in
reared cost over coal. With the production of
sufficient petroleum at reasonable cost there is
title doubt that every ship afoat will be event.
laly equipped with oil burners and the coal CRATES
,ass from use
The United States navy has equipped the bat
leships Delaware, North Dakota. Utah Florida
Arkansas and Wyoming with auxiliary provision
or from 400 to 600 tons Of fuel oil each
The battleships now under construction at
he Fore River Ship Building Company PhiladeI-
hia for the Argentine government will also be
qupped for auxiliary oil capacities OF 600 tons
ach.
The usefulness OF petroleum is almost unlimited
esdes the many grades OF gasolines naphthas
oils lubricating oils, parafhn, and
reases obtained from the crude oil parafin base
ltered parafrn residues or concentrated jellies
re also obtained. These jeles are universally
mployed as therapeutic agents in diseases OF the
kin, as a basis in the manufacture OF medicated
lntments for general household use. and also in
le compromising Of shoe and metal polishes