San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-18
MILLS MERCER.
WELL At LUL|NG
10000 BARRELS
United North and South's
Latest Completion Is
Running Wild.
WORKERS In HOSPITAL
Two Members of Crew
Are Overcome by Fumes
Trying to Set Valve.

Luling. TeX.. Aug. 1S.-The United
North and South Oil Company's No. /
Mills Mercer is reported to have blow l
itself in during the night Friday and
is making 10000 barrels of oil. The
well is running wild in spite of efforts
of the crew to place a master gate
valve. 1t is reported TO have filled two
JOO-barrel steel storage tanks during
the first two hours after il blew in.
This well was brought in during the
first part of this week, but was re-
ported to have bridged over. When
the hole was cleaned it began flowing
Il large amount of oil and the gas pres
sure was exceedingly strong. In pull
ing the drill stem, two of the crew
were overcome with the gas and were
sent to the Luling hospital. When the
stem could not be pulled from the hole
600 feet of it were dropped into the
bottom of the hole and Immediately
oil spouted over the top of the derrick
in a steady black stream.
Production Holding Up.
Officials Of the United North and
South Oil Company say they believe
the wells production is holding up
Every effort is being made TO secure
adequate storage tanks. The well was
still running wild Saturday morning
although considerable oil was being
saved i'm small storage tanks.
Tuesday the Mills Mercer was drilled
in. At that time it was reported to be
big we'll but bridged over soon after
| it came in. Shortly after the crew
cleaned the hole. the well began gass.
ing strongly and the production Of oil
appeared to be increasing. Efforts
were then made to pull the drill stem
during which time two workers were
overcome by the gas fumes and 1t was
| found necessary to send them to the
Luling hospital Immediately. When
it was found that all efforts to extract
the drill stem from the hole would be
futile the crew. it is said, Dire ped 6Oo
feet of it in the hole.
As soon as the string OF pipe hit
the bottom of'the hole. oil and gas are
reported to have shot out of the casing
head. and spouting over the top OF the
112- foot derrick spraying high into the
air.
Frantic efforts were made by one OF
! the United North and South Oil Com
pany's crack crews to place a master
gate valve but the well, Is said to be
beyond control for the present. Ii Is
believed. however, that it will be only
4 A question of a few hour. when the
strong gas pressure will have partly
subsidized and it is then that the crew
expects to get the well completely un
der control.
Largest in the Field.
This well is easily the largest thal
has been brought in in the Luling field
so far. Its only rival was the Gray
bury Oil Company's Merriwether which
is reported TO have made 10000 barrels
initial production but later settled t(
around 1900 barrels.
The Mills Mercer tract is Located
inst between the Merriwether and thu
Hardeman farms. This is the frs
well brought in on this tract. ..
Although the Mills Mercer tract Il
considered in the proven area OF th'
! field its big production is said TO prove
sey,ral hundred acres of territory ina
heretofore have been doubtful.
1t was announced by the president
Of the United North and South oi
Comran. that his company. througl
an agreement with major COMPANY
would drill a number of wells in Quad
alupe county. Drilling operations VII
begin shortly. he announced.