Arizona republican., 1917-05-20

geological 1Or1nallOn ana OH StfallIl- | cations, and at various places upon the | 1 same general direction and trend [ find that number of intellectual at | | tempts have been made to develop oil | in commercial quantities. Neither by personal search nor inquiry have I | | been able to learh of an attempt at | boring or drilling in a proper and eff 1 ficient manner that haS reached a depth sufficient to test the prospects 1 1 of the presence of oil or gas in com mercial quantities. I learn that in most attempts the drilling did not reach a depth at which oil bearing | sands should reasonably be expected to be encountered. It appeared from my investigation and inquiry that the failure of these projects may properly be charged to lack of experienced mana cement in practical work in the field and to improper managerial and promotion methods. The result of my examinations, investigations and in- uuiricS causes me to conclude without reservation that with the exception of one instance, to which I will refer later. there have been no operations of sufficient continuity and efficiency performed anywhere along this re- rnarkabe ell stratification t. demon strate the existence or non existence or OH or SdS III COIilInGIcldi qudHlllleS or to determine upon a reasonable hy- potlIesis whether or not the prospect for developing commercial oil wells warrants the necessary expenditures to demonstrate same. I find the geol- ogy, what is known to practical oil men as 'oii showings," all on one side
 "nd the lack cf lei ;itirnate drilling tests to prove the showings on the other.
 I have recently concluded a personal examination of the district known as the Chino valley. which is the excep-
 tion to which I have heretofore re- ferred I learn that this district has haen under favorable consideration for the prospect of oil for period of about ten years past and that reports from oil geologists and reputed practical oil men have been more or less favorable to this district Notable among the geologists who have recently and fav- orably reported upon the Chino valley oil stratification is Dr. Etienne A. Rit-
 T, mining engineer doctor of sciences. 4 .ruer of the American Institute of Mining Engineers and of the Institu- ton of Mining and of Metallurgy.
 Tn r.15 N. Ren~e ? West there has
 been a well drilled reaching the depth
 of approximately 1900 feet. 1 learned
 from local history that this well was
 started a number of years ago by local people and, as the result of lack of
 Knowledge of the formations which they would likely encounter, they were compelled to give up drilling at about
 1900 feet. It appears that if there was
 any log of the well kept, it has been : lost and the only information procur- , able was from people who lived in the , vicinity at the time of the operations j and some who claimed to have been engaged in the drilling. 1 am satisfied
 from the statements and data available that the well was drilled through about 100 feet of oil sand and that the show
 ing for paraffne oil of high gravity was remarkably good. l learned that recently a new company was organized
 to take over this oil well, and it is now
 prosecuting work for the recovery of
 the same under the direction of MT. John Dartt, man whom 1 know per
 sonally and who bears the reputation of thorough and competent oil driller.
 Mr Davtt personally informed me
 thGt from the baiiings and by the
 limited amount of progress which he
 has been able to make since taking
 charge of the well. he has entire confidence that the well is in oil and.
 whether or not they will be able to
 
 tions, it must certainly prove the dis coVery and location of a large oi;
 basin which should produce many wells of commercial importance
 will now take up briefly the geo. logical clements that must exist to
 make possible ar oil field:
 l. That the district is so situated that the cretaceous sea left sufficient deposits Of it's Various elements, fos SiIc atc n En iha oil 7. That there is q sufficient auan tity of the lime, salts etc, to create
 The necessary chemical action to make the oil.
 j. That above the cretaceous Times there is q sufficient jody of porog9
 sandstonos and 5hales to receive and
 carry the oil.
 i. That the porous sandstones and l shales are covered with an impervious } rock to prevent the escape of the oil Or gas to the surface
 , ,. That there must be suitable , rock structure in the form of an arch, generally called the anticline or
 E a bed or pool.
 6. That there must be q large area
 of gathering ground or drainage area This means the arch or anticiine
 should be fianked OF either side ny a
 wide syncline or water area.
 |. The presence ot SjIt1, isnt water
 in the sands of the synciine to force the oil toward the crest of the arch and hold it there.
 There is abIn.tant evidence in this field O. the cretaceous lines with their various contents to insure the base from which oil and gas are created. There are many indications of the required porous sandstones and shades to collect and convey the oil. also the necessary SLl aIa or the rock to form an impeivious or oil , tight cover for Oil-bearing sanGstoneS and shades; that the arch or anti cline is a most excellent structure for the storing and holding of oil is plainly evident.
 The fact that no proven oil well has as yet been discovered in Arizona is no indication that there should not be oil in this state. As l have here tofore stated, the various attempts made to drill have no bearing from a standpoint ds thorough test The nearest producing oil fields to this state are in Southern California. l However. the indications in the Chino l Valley district can be likened to the Mid d-Continent fields, as the CaIifor- oil and the indications here are of paraffine base This is very favor able point for this. field as there is
 a wide margin between the prlces of 1 asphalt and petroleum base oils. High 1 grade paraffine crude is today quoted l at around $3 per barrel while asphalt