New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-06-20
new DERR|CkS
ARE GOING UP
RIGS ARRIVING
MORE NEW COMPANIES FILE
PAPERS NO LAG IN INTER
EST PLAYAS BASIN AGAIN
TO FRONT IN SOUTHERN
GRANT COUNTY

organized for the purpose OF explor-
ing promising oil prospects i'll New
Mexico But there is a long way
from the mere organization of a
company to the financing and beg n
ming actual operations to drill fo<
the oil. And the drill is the only
test that counts in the oil game.
But things are progressing towards
real exploration. In a number OF
districts drilling will soon begin.
Machinery has been bought and geo.
logists have selected drilling sites.
But with the great interest in search
ing for oil, the demand for standard
rigs has grown remarkably the past
year, and rigs are not to be had
very readily. This feature may ham
per a state wide exploration.
The latest section to get interest
ed in its oil prospects is Lincoln
county. There is considerable stir
around Corona sear the north line
lof the county. Over in Torrance
County the interest is also growing
due to the fact that outsiders are
taking interest in the oil prospects.
There is also marked increase in
Union county. Companies are actual
ly on the ground to start actual oper-
ations. The interest is also grow
ing in Colfax county and Mckinley
county in the Seven Lakes district
northeast of Gallup.
Quay county still leads in compa-
nies that are shaping up to drill.
The first rig TO start since the new
l "a = tu hauar .h,e q. a.
McGee rig near Lesbia east of Tu-
cumcari The Reid rig is going up
at Rama as rapidly as the work can
be done. Other rigs are billed to
begin work before long at Glenrio,
Endee, and San Jon
Eddy County comes with the sec
ond new rig since the new explora-
ton era. The Illinois Producing and
Refining Company is ready to start
the drill in the Dayton townsite. This
however. is not one of the new COM
panies as it has been drilling for
many months near Lakewood, the
hole being about 2.l00 feet. II is
reported that the tools were lost
recently and that the drillers are
still fishing for the tools.
The Tularosa Basin keeps we'll to
the front with much promoting 60
ing on and rumors that many drills
will soon be brought in. So far
the only standard rig going up is
the Cox rig There is plenty OF
interest in the basin from Tularosa
south TO the state line and some
thing OF actual exploration must soon
begin. The geology of the basin
has been most carefully investigat-
ed by leading geologists, who have
found the formation exceedingly pro-
missing. In Texas south of the basin
in what is generally called the Hue
co basin there is no tagging.
Explorations are also getting under
way near FL Paso and in the south
ern part of Dona Ana county. Las
Cruces has become a real oil center.
The citizens of the Mesilla valley are
well represented in companies that
have been formed.
In Luna County greater interest
is developing in lands west OF DEM
ing. In the southern part of the
county things are progressing p
well. But the real interest in ths
southeast part OF the state is in the
new county OF Hidalgo. At Stems
it IS certain that a real well be
going down before long. The Playas
bas in the south part OF the coun-
ty is coming to the front. Some
ancient history has been dug up as
TO previous attempts there. The
history of this early exploration is
much the same as in the Pecos val
ley, San Juan aud Mckinley coun-
ties. The shallow hole OF 973 feet
did not reach the real oil and there
were neither funds nor standard rig
to go deeper. The oil ind dcations in
this basin are about the most pro-
missing in the state.
Magdalena is also getting on the
tentative oil map. Investigations in
the hinterland of Socerro county
progresses and ii is said that midi
cations could never be better. Or
ganization is under way to explore
this section.
In Union County exploration will
soon be under way by at least two
new companies. The Shorty Gobbler
of Grenville has selected a size south
of Corrumpa. Material is gong to
the site Another derrick is going
up near Bueyeros further south The
people at Des Moines are also. get
ting together acreage in the hope of
having a test made
In Mckinley county an Arizona
company is starting to operate n the
Seven Lakes district. OIL was found
in this district early. but no real
test has ever been made 10 determine
If commercial oil is present. Some
think that this NAV be one of the
shallow districts in the state.
In Chaves ccrnty GEOLOGICAL invest
igations are still going forward "
is TIE purpose 10 be fully informed
of the formation before any money
is spent on drilling test. Pur1or
has Il tina. the first test may be
made on TIE Ho-do near Tinnie in
the west part of the county. /
The greatest activity in Eddy
county continues TO be around DAY.
ton. The cd Brown vel -~rnans
the center OF attention. This IS a
most remarkable well Tho-gh a
column ~ water Of 'ho-ss,d feet
has stood in this well for wears. "
has shown no siVns thai the oil has
been pushed hack bv fhe water. n