New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-07-04
U. S. GEOLOGICAL
SURVEY REPORTS
ON LIMITED. AREA
n OF USUAL CONSERVATIVE
CHARACTER OF SUCH DO.
0UlRNTS AND ADDS VERY
LITTLE TO OIL STRUCTURE
ugYORlGATIoN NJ STATE

The United State Geological Sur
vey issued a bulletin June 10Th on
the possibility of oil and gas in east
central New Mexico. This bulletin
was rather unpleasant reading in
some quarters The claim has been
peddled for some time that the Geo.
logical Survey had given oht the
opinion that New Mexico would
develop one of the biggest oil fields
on this continent. The bulletin an
nounces that there is no foundation
for such a statement,
The geologists of the Survey in
the examination of the geologic
structure of parts of New Mexico,
have discovered in the beds of rock
many domes and arches that may
be reservoirs of oil or gas if these
substances are present in the regions
examined. These flexed beds are parts
of the formations that produce oil in
Wyoming, Oklahoma. Kansas, and
Texas, but little evidence of the pre-
sence of oil and gas in them has
vet been found in New Mexico. A
small amount OF oil at Dayton and a
few seeps and some traces of oil re-
ported in water wells at several
places are the only favorable indica'
tions reported so far.
The following quotation from the
bulletin is of general interest:
The general structure of central
eastern New Mexico is that of an
eastward dipping monocline, but
there are local reversals of dips due
TO domes and arches, or antielines,
some of which are rather prominent,
Only a few of the many localities
where these structural features ap-
pear to be favorable to the storage
of gas or oil, if either exists in this
region, can be mentioned here. In
Guadalupe County, for example, the
apex of one of the most clearly mark
ed domes is in the west-central part
Of T. II NJ, X. 10 L. The uplifted
beds, which are $500 feet thick, are
of Permian and Pennsylvania beds
lying on granite at vertical depth
of 1000 feet or more On Pintada
Creek, in the center of L. y NJ, X.
l9 E., there is smaller dome involv-
ing the same strata, and a slightly
less pronounced dome is indicated
in the same canyon few miles above
Pintada post office There are sew
ersl broad. low arches in the strata
in the northeast corner of this coun-
ty and in adjoining parts of San
Miguel, the next county north. In
Quay County a broad, low anticline
in the red beds passes short dis
tance east of Tucumcari and extends
for some distance north and south
of the Rock Island Railroad. In Dc
Baca County the strata dip nearly
due east in general, but a few local
reversals of dip suggest that minor
domes or arches may be found when
q detailed survey is made. Lincoln
County is traversed by a broad anti
cline that lies east Of the Sierra
Blanca structural basin and passes
near Lincoln. In the western part
OF Lincoln County there are several
domes that appear to be favorable
for the storage of oil. although there
is no visible evidence that they con-
tain oil. They are in T. 6 s.. r. 9 E.
in the northeast part of T. 9 S.. r. 8
E., and in the center of T. S s.. R. IL
e. In the eastern part of Socorro
County there is a notable elongated
dome, ; miles northeast of Carthage
coal mines. which brings up the Me-
saverde coal measures; at Prairie
Springs there is a dome in the lime.
stones of Permian age, and in the
center of T. s., r. E., there is a
dome in the Abo red beds. The
phinging anticline at the north end
Of the Oscura Mountain uplift is also
in the eastern part Of this county.
Wells Should Be Sunk Deep
All test wells sunk in this region
should be carried entirely through
the sedimentary series, which IN the
domes and anticlines mentioned is
from 1000 to 5000 feet thick and at
intervals from top to bottom con-
tsins coarse sands, some of which
may be oil bearing.
This bulletin is IN no sense dis
couraging to legitimate exploration
for oil in New Mexico. The Survey
has in preparation more detailed in
formation as to the structural and
stratigraphc conditions observed in
the reconnaissance which covered a
large part of New Mexico. The re-
port will probably be ready by au-
tumn. This report will be helpful
in the exploration now under way.
Progress in the Field.
The report that oil had been found
last week in Union County in the
we'll the United States Oil Company
of Denver is drilling has neither been
confirmed or denied. Visitors have
not been allowed around the well.
The company drilling there has no
stock to sell and has no especial
reason for making any announce
ment as to what well is developing.
Otherwise there IS much activity in
Union County. Good progress is
being made by the SHORTY Gobbler
people in getting ready to drill south
of Corumpa. They are getting things
m place near Bueyeros and also near
Byzantine Other localities in the
county are getting together acreage
to offer drilling companies on favor
able terms.
In Ouay county drilling is progress
ing on the McGee well, having passed
the 500 feet mark. The rig is work
ing night and day. At Rama the
Reid steel derrick and machinery
have arrived There has been some
difficulty over leases. but this is re-
ported to be adjusted A derrick has
arrived at Endee and il will be set
up as quickly as possible. The 1oca-