Evening star., 1932-01-08
EXPANSION IN GAS
INDUSTRY OCCURS
10000 Miles of Pipe Lines
Were Built During
Last Year.
BY JUDGE III. o. CASTER.
Cities gerviee Co.


The year 1881 was one of great ex-
pansion in the natural gas industry.
approximately 5000, ,o00, 900 were spent
in expanding the industry. A total Of
approximately 10000 miles of main
lines and gathering systems were con-
structed and 1t Is estimated that
/ 1,747 500, 100000 cubic feet of natural
gas was consumed. which Is equivalent
in heating value to 87,3750 900 tons OF
coal. The proven natural gas reserves
of the United States at the end OF
1881 is estimated to be approximately
80 900, 900, 100000 cubic feet.
Some of the major projects under
construction during the year were as
follows:
The Natural Gas Pipe Line Co. of
America, 24-inch line extending from
the Panhandle of Texas to Chicago,
has daily capacity of 175,000,00
cubic feet. The Cities Service Co,
insult Son & Co., Standard Oil Co. Of
New Jersey, Southwestern Develop
ment Co., Texas Corporation and Co
lumbar Carbon Co. Joined in the con-
struction Of this line.
Texas Line.
The Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line
Co., controlled by the Columbia Gas
H 6lCCItlS w. dllO bllC u14SoOul -AdL5do
Pipe Line Co., constructed a pipe line
from the Texas Panhandle gas field,
distance of $40 miles to the Indiana
State line. 1t will supply jefferson
City, Mo-: Springfield and Peoria, Ill,
and various other cities and towns
along the route: 1t has capacity Of
approximately 125,o00,000 cubic feet.
The Northern Natural Gas Co., con-
trolled by the United Light & Power
Co., North American Power g. Light
Co. and the Lone Star Gas Co., has
constructed pipe line from the Pan
handle of Texas 874 miles to Lincoln,
Nebr.; Council Bluffs, Mason City,
Sioux City and other points in Iowa.
Columbia Gas & Electric Co. con-
structed 467 miles of 2o-inch line from
Kentucky to Eastern Pennsylvania,
passing through Virginia and West
Virginia and Maryland en- route. hav-
ing a daily capacity Of 1oo,ooo,00o
cubic feet.
Southern Fuel Co. constructed 200
miles of 2o-inch line from Kettleman
Hills field to Los Angeles and Long
Beach, Calf, having daily capacity
Of ITS 5.0o0, 900 cubic feet.
The Montana Power Co. constructed
1879 miles Of 20-inch, 16 miles Of 16-
inch and miles of 1234-inch line
from the Cut Bank field in Northern
Montana to Butte, Helena and Ana
conda
Other Projects.
The Western Gas Co. constructed
218 miles of 12A-inch line from o
point just east Of El Paso, Tex, which
runs across New Mexico and Arizona,
where 1t serves Douglas and Bisbee.
There were no new major gas fields
opened up during the year, but the
limits of a number OF major fields
have been extended and their reserves
more adequately proven.
The outstanding development in the
Appalachian district of the Eastern
United States has taken place tn the
Wayne-Tyrene field In Central New
York and the Tioga field in North
Central Pennsylvania. This field Is
very large in area, but Is spotted. Un-
doubtedly great quantities of gas will
be produced from it. but there win be
great number of dry holes drilled in
proving 1t up.
Great progress has been made during
the year in the quality of pipe lines
and in the appliances used for the sale
of natural gas. Gas Is being trans
ported longer distances than ever be-
fore.
The industry looks forward to 1882
with reasonable assurance. The supply
of gas behind the principal gas lines Is
adequate and the demand for it is in
creasing, due largely to the adequacy
of the supply and the certainty OF
service.
1t is not expected that the expansion
or the building of long lines in 1882
will equal the construction of 1881, but
steady growth, with reasonable ex-
pansion, is confidently expected.