New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-05-02
OIL INTEREST
GROWS. COMPANIES
READY TO DRILL
NEW COMPANIES ORGANIC
ED, TULARosA, QUAY, AND
MCKINLEY LEADING IN
REAL ACTIVITY THE LAST
WEEK


spend it to locate commercial. oil
The geologist points the way. HI
locates promising formations. He
knows that oil is there. But the
geologist does not know positively
that oil is present in Commercial
quantities. The drill is the only test
in locating commercial oil.
1t is conceded that oil is present
in many sections of New Mexico
Oil and gas have been found in shall
low holes in San Juan, Mckinley
Eddy, Chaves, Otero, Luna, Grant
and number of other counties, but
not in commercial quantity. Deeper
drilling is necessary to determine
whether the showings so far are
mere seeps from fields farther away
Just now New Mexico is shaping
up for the actual test by drilling
There is no lack of enthusiasm gen
orally or confidence among men with
money. Financing companies is pro-
ceeding satisfactorily and plans arc
maturing for actual operations. Some
machinery is already ordered and
arriving. Derriclas are going uT
ready for the machinery.
The drills already at work are
pushing down every day. But the
owners are not talking. 1t is very
noticeable that when drilling is in
progress, the owners as a rule lose
all interest in publicity. Hence there
are no satisfactory data at hand oi
the progress or the nature OF the
formation found from any of the
drills the last week or two.
The leasing and location business
continues active. In localities where
presumably all the land is under con-
troll, search is being made for tracts
possibly overlooked. Leases are
changing hands at advancing price es
in many sections. Out ide oil men
are also coming in and are making
partnership propositions to owners
of leases.
Geologists are making the final in
vestigations in several sections ia
locate wells that are being planned
for early work. Other geologists
are still scouting. 1t would seem
that no part of the state will be
overlooked in these preliminary in
vestigations. 1t is interesting that
we'll known oil geologists have open
ed offices in the state and are giving
their time to New Mexico invest
cations.
The Tularosa Basin is still in the
lead as far as early promise of real
tests is concerned. The Las Cruces
people have the money and are ready
to begin operations. Two rigs are
under contract to come from the
Ranger field in Texas and begin work
within ninety days. Other operators
in the Ranger field also have under
consideration the sending of rigs to the
basin. The home company is also
preparing to begin work. Every
present Indication is that in the
Tularosa basin will the first big test
made in New Mexico.
There is much activity in McKin-
ley county. The Carter Oil Co. is
getting ready to start another hole,
the indications found in the first
being very encouraging. Other wells
are being considered by this COM
pany near Defiance some distance
west of Gallup. The Capital Develop
ment Co. has also locations near
Gallup which it plans 20 test in the
near future. In fact the field in Nc
kinley county is attracting much
attention at this time.
Over in Quay county there is much
activity. The rig near Lesbia east
of Tucumcari is going up. In dig
ging the pit very promising oil shale
was found At San Jon Oklahoma
men are ready to begin operations
il they can obtain block of 10000
acres. 1t seems likely that the local
people will meet the terms and that
drilling will soon be started. Over
at Glenrio a location has been select
ed for a test we'll, it is said. parties
having purchased land outright which
they propose to develop.
Roswell apparently is waking up
after a restful period of many weeks.
Biologists are now busy making
surveys that it is expected will be
in another month. 1t is
then the purpose to select location
and get to work. Hope south of
Roswell is also getting on the map.
The people are in favor of a deep test
we'll that may bring oil or artesian
water.
At Portales the people are studying
a partnership proposition which
Oklahoma men have made them.
These men want 25,O00 acres of land,
which local men think they can
deliver without much trouble AT
Kenna in the south part of Roosevelt
county the derrick is going and the
will soon be in place for
actual operation.
In Grant County, especially in the
southern part which will form the
new county of Hidalgo. the interest
in oil is increasing. Operations in
the Stems district will soon be under
way. Drilling is reported under way
in the Animas Valley. The Playas
Basin is drawing attention and leases
and locations are being made. Across
the line in Arizona near Bowie drill
ling is proceeding.
Drilling is proceeding at Flora
Vista in San Juan County. The COM
pany is convinced that it will strike
oil as the formation continues favor
able as the drill goes down. What
oil has been found there is of very
high grade.
The drillers at Columbus are hav-
;ng trouble with water. The drilling
game b not so easy. The troubles