New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19

calities. In Kansas and wyoming
and in a few sections of Oklahoma
the production is increasing because
Of the discovery Of gusher wells. But
the world must rely for its supply Of
petroleum rather on many small
wells than the few gushers. This is
shown in the rise and fall Of the ia
nous Cushing field. For a few weeks
in 1915 this field had daily produc-
ton Of 100000 barrels, and in that
year produced 100000 barrels.
BY the end of 1916, with the addl-
ton Of the Shamrock field to its
acreage, its daily production had de-
clined to about $1,000 barrels. The
stocks piled up while this field was
at its height are now furnishing the
surplus from which the worlds de-
mand is being met. No gusher field
can be relied upon TO maintain a
large production for years, but 1T
will add materially to the stocks for
short period. Then the smaller
wells must be depended upon for the
steadier supply. This has been the
history Of all oil eXcitements since
the beginning Of the industry.
Mid-Continent Field
Is Most Promising
The oil producer not so fortunate
as to have a part in the large fields
Of the mid-continent is now wonder
ing where he can better his produc-
ton by wildcat work in new Sec
tions, and on his tests must largely
determine the future supply of oil
in the United States. The great oil
belt extending through Pennsyl-
vania and West Virginia and that of
Ohio, Indiana and Illinois have been
so thoroughly drilled that the pro-
ducers have no hope Of maintaining
the production there. 1t will grow
less from year to year. Kentucky
will be a state of small and shallow
pools, and while they will be paying
propositions to the operator, they
will not be important in adding any
LARGE amount TO the daily produc-
ton.
The mid-continent, with its enor-
nous acreage inside a defined oil
belt. stretching across most Of Kan
sas. all of Oklahoma and extending
into Texas, will be the most reliable
+ field upon which to depend for many
years. There may be no more CSsh-
{ ings in the boundaries Of the oil
/ belt. but there is vast territory
/ which has been only sparsely drilled
/ end which will hold many surprises.
Deeper drilling in the coastal fields
/ has discovered new gusher sa;id5,
, and these probably will furnish prac-
tically new territory even in that
which has been drilled over for
shallow wells. Also, the Texas terri
tory may be said to have been only
scratched in the possibilities IT
offers for new pools. The fields Of
North Louisiana are also being ex-
tended to the north and east, and the
producers there appear to have
awakened within the year to the fact
that all the oil is not confined to the
Caddo district and the parishes i'm
mediately adjoining. The prospects
are favorable for larger fields in this
state than have yet been discovered
Wyoming is still an unknown
factor as to its future place in the
PRODUCING column. The development
so far has proven up q number OF
prolific pools, and these have been
supplemented by the discovery OF
new sands through deeper drilling
The productive acreage, however, is
limited TO domes and small snticlines,
like that of the Gulf Coast, but the
extent of the territory IN which
these domes may he found is wholly
undetermined. California At present
is scarcely holding its own in pro
duction and is not furnishing the
amount required by the demand,
This is shown by the loss Of 1000, 1000
barrels IN stocks during the first half
Of 1917.
Producers Expect
Much Of Kentucky
The average producer believes
that the new production from Ken
lucky will about make up the loss in
the old fields east of the Mississippi
for several years. Oklahoma, Kansas
. and North Texas may he expected to
maintain the present output with
active drilling, or even increase n
IL new gusher fields are discovered
This last however, is not dc