New-York tribune., 1918-08-04
Heat and Drouth
Restricted Oil Well
Production II, July
Compared With June, Com
pletions Decreased 377,
"Oil City Derrick" Says

Operations in oil fields were less sue
in June because of the midsummer heat
and the drouth. In the month just
closed the number of completions
reached 2,342, decline of 377 from the
June figures. according to the monthly
report OF "The Oil City Derrick" In
July the new production credited to the
wells amounted to 140,994 barrels, a
decrease of 33,97s.
The survey of the oil fields says that
the total decrease of 377 wells should
be charged to Oklahoma, which COM
pleted 379 fewer wells than in the pre-
vious month. North Louisiana. Wy
oming, Lima. Kentucky and Illinois, on
the other hand, showed q gain in new
wells. And new production increases
were made in Central Ohio, Lima, Ken-
lucky, Illinois, Kansas, North Texas
and North Louisiana. In the Gulf coast
region the decline amounted to 36,321
barrels, and in Oklahoma to 11,264.
Improvement Late in Month
Reports from the various fields indi-
Gated that there were 527 dry holes and
1872 gas wells, showing a dropping off
OF IA in failures and of 1872 in gas wells
Subtracting the dry holes and gas wells
from the otal of wells completed leaves
1858 productive oil wells, which is 24C
less than the record for June, when the
total was 1873. May and April had
virtually the same number as June.
Toward the close Of July activity in
the OF! fields established a high-water
mark for new work. The rigs and wells
drilling were 5,791,. q gain of las over
the June figures, which were the high
est up to that time. The increase in
rigs was eight and in drilling wells
1876. Throughout the fields the ten
dency toward heightened activity was
1elt, but North Texas led all other sec.
tlons IN this respect, with a gain Of I'd
drilling wells. 1t is pointed out in the
report that Kansas and tho Gulf Coast
are the only two Western divisions tc
report decrease in new work
Inc total July completions in Penn
sylvanla, which reported a month Of
routine character, were 447, a decrease
OF \. The new production credited ia
the wells was 2 043 barrels, a loss of SO
from the previous report. The failures
reached II, or IL more than in June
and there was a loss of in gas wells
Activity in Kentucky Fields
kentucky was the most. active dis
t trlct east of the Mississippi during July
Two hundred and forty-eight wells were
completed, gain of Sc, and the amount
OF production credited to the compile
tions was 4,420 barrels, or more than
that obtained in other districts of the
Central West.
In Kansas there were 493 wells com
pleted in July, and they were credited
with new production of 47.895 barrels
Although the compilations were 53 less
than IN June, the new production Oh
rels. o"A
North Carolina" says "The Oil Citv
uerrlck," "is growing in reports slnce
the Pine Island district was opened. Re-.
cent developments have extended the
productive area, and indicate that the
neld was much larger than at first SIM.
posed During the month 81 wells <
more than in June. were compile ted
credlted with a new production Of 1920
barrels, gain of 4,l05 over the nre.
vlous report. At the close of the month
the increase in new work was 81" '''