The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1916-12-08

How many people are there in the
state who know that on the Mon
tana side of the Elk Basin country
just south of Billings, SO producing
oil wells have been drought in" dur
ing the past year.
The production from these wells is
so prolific that a pipe line construct
ed from the heart of the basin to
F%rannie, a Burlington station Just
across the Wyoming line, is made
quate to convey the raw product
away, and a second pipe line is be-
ing constructed.
The product is about SO per cent
gasoline, and the best we'll of the
neighborhood, one of the Midwest
properties, has produced in excess of
1000 barrels in "a hours.
The escarpment which outlines
this Elk Basin oil dome is small and
comprises about 2,400 acres.
Stretching south from the Elk ba-
sin for a distance of 225 miles are
numerous domes that have proven
productive. The output of the whole
Wyoming fields last year was about
100000 0 barrels. Development has
been rapid during the past IL months
and it is estimated that this years
output will be in excess of 8,0OO,O 900
barrels.
Oil in Montana.
The same system of anticlines
stretch north and west through Mon
tana, and a large amount of none
is being expended in development
work. Biologists Of repute say there
is absolutely no reason why the Mon
tana-Wyoming boundary line should
mark the northernmost limits of the
Oil deposits.
Several wells are being drilled
north of Great Falls. Two outfits
are drilling in the Crazy Woman's
Pocket country. of which Lavina is
the center. Another we'll is being
drilled near B~roadview. South of
Billings numerous wells are being
drilled.
The Boston News Bureau, a news
paper that is recognized as an au-
thority on finance, has this to say
about the new oil fields:
Wyoming's Output Doubles
development of the Wyoming oil
fields is becoming very rapid. In
1912 these fields turned out 1,246,-
600 barrels; in 1913, 2,4O9, 900;
1914, 3,%52O,00O; 1915, 4,212. 900;
and this year the production will be
over 100000 barrels. Re-
markable strides are being made in
drilling and outputting, and the larg-
er factors in the oil industry are COM
ing suddenly to realize that they
must take note of Wyoming, for
there is 40 other territory in the
United States making so remarkable
a showing except Oklahoma and Cali
fornia.
Nothing except the top sands
have SO far been tapped in an import
ant way in Wyoming, and geological
and Oil experts agree that not more
than three per cent of available oil
has been extracted.
aside from a less rigid policy as
regards land withdrawals by the fed
eral government, a pipe line is very
desirable. This would provide a bet
ter market for Wyoming oil.
ut is probable that such a line will
De built, 600 miles from Salt Creek
to Omaha, within a couple Of years,
following an adjustment of federal
regulations. With railroad facilities
alone. not less than $4,000 cars or,
say, 100000, 600 gallons, of raw and
refined Wyoming oil are this year
being shipped in tank cars; and pro-
duction is increasing by leaps and
bounds. Within a month the Mid
west Refining Co. alone has contract
cd for sale to one of the European
belligerents of 100000 gallons of
gasoline.
How Wyoming Is Handicapped.
"Wyoming undoubtedly presents
the greatest single weapon in this
country for solving the gasoline ques-
ton. because Of the gasoline content
of Wyoming oil. BY reason of the
relative lack of competition for Wy
oming oil, and the absence of pipe
line facilities for it's cheap transport
tation, it at present brings not much
over 80 cents per barrel, while Penn
sylvania crude carries only 90 per
cent gasoline content, while a great
deal of Wyoming oil has been found
to have 40 to so per cen gasoline
content.
cat present the refining company
"ltH lle largest Single output Ill wy
oming is the Midwest, which is es-
timated to have over $50 900
barrels of indicated oil untapped in
Salt Creek alone. Midwest Refin-
ing's earnings this year will exceed
100000 net. A large part of
them have been put into purchase of
s~2,425,0OO par of the s2,5o0,c0 out
standing preferred stock of the Grey
hull Pnfirinr % urhinh 1attn> nnn1.
pany will be merged with Midwest
Refining.