The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-08-12
Science on Trail of OH

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- bringing
chemistry TO the aid of geology in
the development of oil and gas fields
so as to avoid busters" Is the pur-
pose OF an investigation being CON
ductcd by the division OF state chem
ical research OF tho univcrsity of
Kansas.
Ry means OF n chemical analysis
and comparison OF the products of
various wells in "A given area, IL Ia
said to he possible to chart the np-
pruximate limits of each pool Of oil
within the field. II gas or oil Of
the same chemical analysis ia oh
tanned from moro than ono well,
their source of supply Is assumed to
be the samc pool
In Ike manner, the presence of
certain constituents In gas may show
whether oil would be encountered
II the well were drilled deeper, or
by the comparison A. the analyses Of
two or more gas wells. may show
the direction In which oil is likely
to bo found.
1t Ia upon the above assumptions
that the research !s proceeding. Tho
cooperation of oil concerns ana
others Is being asked to make tho
survey a success. It Is planned to in
Clude tho entire Mid Continent field
In the investigation.
1T IL manifcstly impossible for
anyone to predict with absolute Ger
tainty just what may be encountered
1000 or 5000 i"ct under the
ground" Prof, II. G. Allen OF the
University OF Kansas. who IA direct
ing the research, said, but 1t IN all
solutely certain that In many caS'S =
a chemical survey may Do OF great
value In determining the most suit
able locations for oil and gas. Chem
ica indications may be ut fault IN
many cases, and this IL equally true
OF geological indications, but II
soems reasonable that by combining
the two, "A considerable degree OF
certainty might be assured"
Professor Allen maintains that a
large proportion OF the "duStcrs' or
dry wells that are drilled might be
avoided by the utilization OF such
"a chemical survey aa that which is
being made, lie declares that In one
pool in the Mid Continent field,
whc-o about 2b dry holes have been
put down. thcrc are five or sis OF
the locations that are absolutely con
dcmned by Chu chemical character
istics OF the products, though the
chemical data are very moaEer SeN-
cral other locations are questionable,
and in this pool alone, development
according to chemical advice mlGpl
have saved many thousand dollars.
Chemical examination OF the wa
ters or brine encountered in the
wells" Professor Allen said, "also
may be mentioned az furntshing
much Information as to tho source
~ water drowning a we'll or show
the correct method OF procedure IN
drilling and plugging"
In summing mp the plans for tho
INVESTIGATION, Professor Allen mon
tiuus the following things concern
ing AN oil pool that may be shown
by such survey:
l. Presence OF oil from the quail
'ty Of gas encountered In n produc'
! ing well.
. Where there are several produc-
ing gas wells 10 is frequently posi-
/ hlo to determine the pruhalle dlreo-
! tlon or distance 90 the oil that may
! be expected In a pool
3 Correlation ut two or moro oil
or gas wells or even different pools
| with approval on condemnation OF
! intervening TERRITORY
4 Probable direction or extension
Of oil TT EaH pools, and In some
cases the distuuct ut the extension,
| Especially when wells are put down
lu favorable locations Us II possible