New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-09-19
DRILLING FOR OIL
PROGRESSES IN STATE

New Mexico. That greater progres SIS
can not be reported at this, time IS
due to many causes. Some of them
are unavoidable, others are due TO
local conditions. Yet there IS not
near as much activity as many eX-
peoted earlier in the season. There
is no dearth of oil companies either
incorporated or preparing to incor-
porate or companies operating under
a declaration Of trust.
Incorporating or organizing COM
pany is easy enough and takes only
a few dollars. But to get control OF
desirable acreage and provide money
for drilling is another story. lust
at present there is an overabundance
OF companies and a decided shortage
OF capital for actual oil exploration.
The State Record still is convinced
that to obtain a thorough search OF
the oil possibilities in New Mexico,
some kind OF state organization is
Is absolutely necessary. Such an or
ganization would benefit very mater
ially every district that is now trying
to induce some one to drill to test
out promising structures. But the
geologist can not positively say IT
the oil is present in commercial guam
titles The drill is the only known
method to Determine the actual
presence OF commercial oil.
At the present time the greater
activity is in the northeastern part
of the state. Drilling is proceeding
in northern part of Union County
The reported strike of oil by the
United Oil Company has never been
denied That a .'gusher" did not
develop is evident But there are
indications that oil has actually been
located. The Shorty Gobbler Com
pany has its rig on the road and ex-
poets to be drilling near Corumpa
before the end of September. The
we'll near Bueyeros in Union county
is going down. The gas found some
time ago was cased off More gas
has been struck and cased off The
formation so far is promising
enough
Quay County ha, two rigs going
by this time The McGee rig near
lesbia is making exceptional pro-
gress IN spite Of drilling troubles
that are' sure 10 bob up most unex-
pectedY. A rig is expected TO get
TO work near Eudee Across the
state m hnc IN leNa' TWO rigs are
At work and a third Is about rsady
70 begin drilling. Amarillo lapital-
lists are interested here.
Drilling at Taiban IS being delayed,
but it is expected that work will
soon be under way again. In Roose-
Nelt county two rigs VIII be drilling
N the near ia'ure There Is little
information regarding the well near
kenna.
lpie Pecos Valley IS still doing
quite a blt on talking, but very little
drilling Is m progress. The Illinois
IroJucine and Refining Company IS
making good progress IN the well IN
the DAY ton tpWnslle. Inc same com
panE u.s. >iIi ti'hing tor the. lost drlll
nit in the Wen near Lakewood. There
is ON 'u the mole ana the company IS .
not ready 10 abond"n IT, being about
wv icei q company is setting up
d rig. east on Loving. Another com
paht Is ready az Seven Rlver,, but
are waiting Tor other developments
In the Pecos Valley Of Texas things
are progressing satisfactorily. Oper-
ators IN this section seem determln-
ed to test out the whole field at a
early a tome as possible.
In the lularosa BASIN proper much
preparation for drilling IS under way
ana " the rigs all go IN as now pro-
posed every part OF the basin should
be fully tested out m the next year
or two.
In Hucoo basin TO the south OF the
luiarosa BASIN there Is likely 10 be
early tests on both sides OF the state
line
Just above III Paso two rigs are at
work, one in Texas and one on the
Crawford ranch in New Mexico. In
Dona Ana County otherwise there
Is much planning for early work.
Little information comes ont of
Luna and Grant counties as to the
progress OF the explorations near i.
stems, Playas basin and other local
ties. Drilling at Columbus j. re-
ported to have been delayed, but viii
be resumed in the near future. The
well there IS down more than 1000 !,
inc one outfit spudding in this week :
No recent reliable information is !,
available from Valencia and McKin- 7.
ey counties. Shallow oil has been :
predicted in this section aud these :
prospects TO be tested out by larger .
No reports are at hand as to the =
present. status of drilling in the Flora
Vista section of San Juan County. ;,
Nor has any word been received as =
o the progress OF affArs in Rio Z
Arriba County where a Wyoming =
oncern- is preparing to drill. II