Imperial Valley press., 1920-03-25
SA[T0N BASIN
OIL AND GAS
COM PANY +
FORMED.
Association Com.
pleted Within Record
Time; Has Leases on Land
Adjacent to Brawley Oil
and Development Co.

The completion today of the cr-
ganizatiOn of the Salton Basin Gas
and Oil Development association,
which purposes to drill within the
next 30 days on a site north and
west of the Imperial Valley Oil
and Development association
properties, marks another forward
step in the development of Imper-
ial Valley as an oil producing Sec
tiGn.
The association is composed of 200
members who share alike in whatever
expense or profit the association may
lave. The membership have incor-
)orated under the laws of California,
laving received their charter from the
secretary of state.
Four sections of land comprising
2560 acres, are under lease and are ad-
jacent to the Imperial Valley Develop
nent association, the Diamond Bar
md the Colorado Desert Oil and Gas
Corporation properties.
REPORT MADE
For the fact that Prof. Starke, noted
yeologist, has reported So favorably
IN the well now sunk, it is proposed
o lose no time in beginning active
lrilling operations on the new site.
Excerpts from Prof. Starne's report
cad: 4"The present mechanical condi-
ions of the well | believe are very
good for prospect well. The upper
water has been successfully shut off
and drilling was continued. to the
present depth, and no other water was
encountered until the present depth
vas reached, when new and larger
water strata was encountered. With
his new water, gas in large volume
With traces of oil making their APP
pearance. the water stands within 30.
feet of the surface, and | was advised
was gaining rapidly
81 observed much gas escaping be-
.ween the water string and the 10-inch
,asing. The pressure of the gas,
through so large volume of mud and
HateH. would present approximately
pressure of $50 pounds to the square
nch.'
PROSPECTS FINE
"The well was carefully tested for
oil and gas; drillings brought up by
The bailer were tested with chloroform,
the use of chemicals was not necessary
as the black oil and asphaltic tar was
plainly visible. The pas is present in
such quantity, together with the light
aydro- o-carbons in the bailer, that it
will burn for an appreciable time
when ignited. Whether the gas and
oil are. associated in the water is
matter that will have to be determined
later.
"In the present we'll sufficient oil
and gas are present to warrant the
belief that an oil we'll exists. Under
The present conditions | would advise
the installation of a pressure head to
prevent the we'll from getting beyond
control, in the event of further large
gas sands being struck. would adj
wise that the drilling be continued un-
til the present sand formations are
conditions, of course. may require the
testing of the well before the estimat-
ed depth.
"If the indications in the well are
compared with those of Southern Cal
ifornia or the Midway oil fields, they
would constitute those of consider
able well. However. the geology of
Imperial Valley is unknown; therefore
nothing can be predicted with any de-
gress of certainty.
SIN lnal conclusion | may give it as
my belief that commercial gas well
exists, with the possibility of an oil
we'll. Yours very truly,
E. A. STARKE." .s
Officers and directors Of the new
company are II. HI. Peterson, CaleXico;
Neil Combs, Brawley. secretary and
treasurer; H. P. Harper, Calipatria,
vice president; George Cruger, Braw-
ley, president; G. c. Harboldt, Braw-
ley, and f, r. Simon attorney,