The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-12-28
Mines and Mining-Activities in Ore Districts of Uta

sure ut other points is forcing the
| oil and gas out at tho higher portions
| of the formation.
These vents have no significance be-
yond that they are a proof OF an Rc'
| tive or living condition of the oil dc
posit.
Lack of time forbids the discussion
| Of the conditions surrounding the San
Rafael swell in this article, with one
exception. Along the fault line trsv'
ersing the reef or swell, are many de-
posts Of oil sands, some of them np-
parently of considerable dimensions. In
this case the oil is an infilteration into
the more porous sandstones lying along
the dislocation.
The oil and gases following the lines
Of least resistance flow upward through
the fault line and outward into bodies
of light sandstones lying adjacent.
Oil Sands Far Away.
The appearance of these isolated
bodies Of oil sands is very enticing, but
il must be remembered that the real
oil deposit which gave them existence,
lies fully 5000 feet below the surface.
In the Crows Nest and Old Woman
sections the oil-bearing zone lies some
wat over 5000 feet below the surface
Around tho Flat Tops and Village
Springs $500 feet win probably prove
the channel
As we go southwark through the
bearing zone Will be reached with o
lesser depth, until at tho south end Of
the South Spur a hole 1900 feet in
depth snould prove the deposit;
while In Nequois, Elaterite and Stand
ing Rock basins 500 feet may accom-
plish the same results.
At some points, notably in Elaterite
and Nequois basins, the vents are Civ
ing off considerable quantity Of oil,
canyons large bodies of natural tar are
shown in which can be seen the re-
mains Of small animals, reptiles and
insects beyond number.
Scenery Majestic.
In this connection something might
be mentioned which the writer has
never heard of before, and that is the
presence of the old oil channels from
whicn the tops have been removed by
erosion They are all very crooked,
JOIN one anoluer frequently, and are Of
all sizes up to thirty and forty feet in
width and twenty-five to thirty feet
In depth. Their appearance at some
points is striking beyond description.
In addition to other interesting sights
to be mot within the southern portion
Of this fold the vivid coloring and ma
)esty of the scenery is beyond the abil-
lty of the writer to describe, or artist
to paint.
From the apparent lack Of inforna-
ton and inaccuracy Of the government
maps, it Is but fair to assume that no
one connected with the interior depart
nent forces has ever seen the district,
excepting from a distance.
Desert Repels Investigators.
After passing south Of the San Ra-
bidding appearance generally, and TO
his cause we must ascribe the present
ack of information concerning the
district Competent engineers and ex-
)ert oil operators have invariably |
urned back before reaching the really |
Interesting and instructive portions OF
he field.
II is far cry from the accommoda-
ions of Pullman car to the blister
ng, torturing and once dangerous trip
across the deserts, and among many
nen the Pullman car method OF explo. J
alton Is considered very safe and con. !
'enient. During the past fifteen years
ome locations have been made in the |
district, but no improvements were |
made, and no developments occurred |
During the year just closing Colonel |
:, P. Tasker of Philadelphia, Pa, and |
us associates have secured holdings in |
he district and are now developing
he same with vigor. One we'll is al, |
cady being drilled in the Flat Top |
ection, another rig seven miles south |
rest, and still others have been ordered |
md are in transit, The past season |
has been an unusually dry ono on the |
leserts, and as a result the work Of |
transporting machinery and supplies |
ould not be attempted until late In
he fall.
From the writer's knowledge Of con-
litions in the district he feels safe in |
tating that at least ten wells will be |
lrilled during the winter and spring,
md when this has been done the San |
Rafael oil fields will have surely taken |
| proud place among the oil producing |
ections of the United States This !
district will be limited in oil produc-
ion only by the number of wells bored |
md the writer wishes his readers to |
consider this statement as being made |
'ntirely from precise knowledge aud |
areful calculation.