Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-14
FARM|NGTON OIL WELL
RUNS BARREL A MINUTE
IN 80 INCHES Of SAND
Boiler Is Moved Back 200 Feet, as Gusher Is
Expected to Be Struck When Drilling Is
Resumed; Oil Tests Sixty Gravity; Rush of
Oil Seekers Makes Building Boom, While
Many Newcomers Are Residing in Tents.
Special to The journal

Pennington, N. M, oct. 13.--The
oil excitement that has been rag
ing at fever heat in San Juan coun-
~ since the Midwest Refining com
pany brought in a 1900 barrel
we'll on a hogbaok structure, 20
miles west of Pennington, was fur
ther increased when it leaked out
that the company ran oil two hours
yesterday and produced barrel a
minute. This was the first run
made since the company brought
IN the well two weeks ago
The drill, which penetrated oil
sands to a depth of 80 inches az
500 feet, has been idle since the
strike and the barrels minute run
was made from oil developed from
the initial strike. The boiler at
the rig is today being moved back
zoo feet as matter Of safety in
preparation to sending the drill into
oil sand to a greater depth. Oil
tanks at well are nearing compile
tion and when finished the COM
pany plans to allow the public to
visit the well and view the filling
of the tanks with oil run from
the well.
Tests OF the usually high grade
oil show it is of sixty gravity. Com
pany employees are using it in
cars instead of gasoline.
The Midwest Refining company
has given contract for the re-
moval of the rig at its Ute WELL
north of Pennington that brought
in a tested thirty million cubic foot
gasser recently. The rig will be
moved further down on the struc-
ture, where another effort will be
made TO develop oil in that loca-
tion.
Representative of all the big
oil companies are pouring into this
section from all directions, getting
first-hand information on the sit
uation, which, from what can be
learned, is favorable. They are
also picking up all leases available,
and it is reliably reported that five
rigs are already on the road to
start into action.
The Producers and Refiners COR
poration has its material ON the
road and Will soon commence Ge-
velopment work on its lease. This
company recently secured a 4,S00-
acre lease on the reservation from
Navajo Indian council, similar to
the one granted some months ago
TO the Midwest Refining company
on which it developed oil.
The Midwest has made Farming
ton its headquarters for this sec
tion since starting operations in
tho n Frhn
Producers company has also de-
cided to make its headquarters
here. Both companies and the
civic club of Pennington are open
ing up a road from the steel
bridge across the San Juan below
town to the oil fields on the south
side of the river to make more
direct route to the scene of ac-
tivities.
The entire San Juan county is
alive with oil seekers who are
coming in from every direction.
Pennington is full and overflowing
and a building boom has started
as result. Shiprock, which has
meager accommodations for trav
elers, is fast becoming a tent city.
cars We're parked in that section,
all headed toward the Midwest well
TO get closeup Of the situation.
1t is confidently expected that
when the drill is sunk deeper into
the Midwest well, the volume of
oil will be greatly increased, some
experts going SO far as to predict
a gasser. Plain facts as developed
to date are that the well at pres
ent is good commercial producer.
l.. Il. Stallings this morning sold
one of his leases on the proclama-
tion part Of the reservation by long
distance telephone for a considera-
ti1n of $350. The lease covered
$40 acres. 1t is learned, on what
is considered authoritative infor-
nation, that one large oil COM
pany whose scouts have been on
the ground here for several days,
has arranged to place deposit OF
500, 900 in local banks to be used
for immediate development work.