The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-09-30
EIGHT RIGS
DRILLING IN
BENTON FIELD
Some Important Developments
are Certain to Follow In
creased Activities
SPEED IN THE ATTALIA WELL
With Drilling on Two Sides Interest
in Oil Possibilities Becomes
Keen

There never was a time since nat
,ural gas was first struck on the slopes
of the Rattlesnake Hills when there
was such marked activity in the
Benton County field as there is today.
Not only is there increasing activity
in the development of the field but
there is increased optimism and a
growing confidence among the opera
tors. While most of the companies
still have their stocks on the market
none Of them are vigorously pushing
stock sales, but are rather directing
their efforts and devoting their ener-
lies to actual drilling operations.
' The visitor to the field today is
greeted with view Of the derricks Of
seven rigs, all Of which are operating,
while an eighth rig is hidden from
view by curve in the hill range and
ninth rig is being set up in the field
and will be Immediately put into oper-
alton.
This new rig is the big Star outfit
Of the Walla Walla Oil, Gas & Pipe
Line company which will be used to
drill the company's well No. 5. When
this is started the Walla Walla COM
pany will have four rigs in operation
at different locations in the field. At
ter brief shutdown this company has
resumed drilling operations. in its well
No. 3 which was brought in as a
gasser three months ago. Drilling
here is still in the gas sands which are
proving of much greater thickness
than was expected. The gas flow is
still coming in at the bottom of the
we'll and it is now assured that this
we'll will be much heavier gasser
than the Walla Walla company's well
No. 2, the daily flow of which is
five million cubic feet. Not only is
big gas production assured in well No.
3, but oil showings become. more pro-
nounced as drilling progresses. While
this we'll was drilled primarily for the
purpose of proving the field for gas,
officials of the company now have
high hopes Of putting it down to oil.
In the meantime the company is max
ing good progress on we'll No. A which
is being pat down by the company's
big Standard rig, and good start
has been made on well No. 5, and the
rig is being set up for the company's
well No. 6.
A new step ip the development OF
the field has been taken by the Seat
tle-Inland Oil company which has been
drilling for some time with a big
Standard rig. This company recently
contracted with Lynch Brothers, ex-
perienced drillers Of Alaska, for sink
ing deep test well with diamond
core drill. The contractors have IN
stalled their outfit and begun work.
They will drill in the Seattle-lnland's
we'll which is already down about 3Oo
feet. Those who have been following
the fields development look upon this
as most important step in that 1t
will not only greatly hasten the PROOF
I this part of the field, but the dia-
hond drill may prove the solution OIL
some of the drilling problems when
have been caused by the extremely
hard basaltic formation.
One of the latest rigs to arrive IN
the field is that of Colfax company,
with whom the Kennewick Gas q oli
company has contracted for. a well on
its holdings. This rig has been IN
stalled and is now in active operation.
Heretofore little has been heard OF
the Kennewick company in which all
of the stockholders are local business
and professional men. The company
is a closed corporation and has never
offered and stock for sale. Thelr
holdings comprise lease on state
lands adjoining the sections on wnlcn
two of the Walla Walla company's
producing wells are located. They are
not now offering any stock for sale.
their one object being to get a well
down to oil level.
Drilling operations are likewise pc
ing carried on by the Conservative vi
company, who are sinking a well
within short distance of the Seattle
Inland's location. All of these wells
are being drilled within a radius OF a