Montana oil and mining journal., 1942-01-03


from inventory or in any other m
or use material for the production of
petroleum" If he does not conform to
well spacing and other restrictions laid
down by Co-ordinator Ickes. Each sup
ply company has these regulations
which are much simpler than those
previously in effect, containing specific
exceptions for, as an example, wildcat
tests.
There is no defined spacing arrange
ment in Montana other than the policy
that no well shall be drilled closer
than 220 feet from offsetting property.
The policy Of one well in the center
Of each 40 acres was adopted by op-
orators themselves but it has been
found to be a clumsy arrangement,
making difficult the completion Of an
economical pattern based on either 10
acres or 20 acres to the well The
center-40 policy has been abandoned
in the development of the new Tribal
pool in South Cut Bank, where a better
policy is being worked out, with wells
spaced at least $50 feet back from the
lines. Kevin field, with lime produc-
ton, has been uniformly developed on
a basis of one well to five acres.
The statement of the co-ordinator
is that this provision will make readily
available material for the drilling of
new wells in all fields (other than
condensate fields where the particular
wells conform to a uniform spacing
pattern of not more than one single
well to each 40 surface acres. In gas
wells, provision is made for conform
ance with a uniform spacing pattern
of not more than one single well to
each $40 surface acres.
Whether conformity to the spacing |
pattern of the field involved or to the
rule of one well to 40 acres IS in
tended is not apparent and the Oil
Board will be called upon
to determine this question.
The restrictions do not apply in the
following instances:
l. Material to be used for repair or
purposes or as operating
supplies.
Wildcats Excepted
2. To any case where material is
used by an operator exclusively Tor
operations directly involved In the
search for and discovery of a previ-
ously unknown pool. This includes ma
terial necessary for prospecting and
material used in drilling and complet-
ing exploratory wells.
g. To any case where material IS
to be used by an operator exclusively
Tor carrying out Investigations into
more efficient methods Of conducting
production operations.
4. To any case where material Is TO
be used by an operator engaged In
recovery operations by
means of artificial water drive, gas
lrive or air-drive operations, but not
including material to be used IN pro-
iuction operations by means OF prl-
nary gas cycling or pressure main
enance.
S. To any case where material neceS-
AIRY for lease equipment, including OIL
reating equipment and saltwater dis
1osal or injection equipment, but not
including pumping and artificial lift
ng equipment, is to be used by an
operator.
ren-Ac Locations
6. To any case where material Is TO
,e used for pumping or other artificial
fitting equipment on any lease Of over
o acres on which the number Of wells
O which pumping equipment has been,
,r, is to be, attached does not exceed
IN average Of one such well to every
% surface acres; also to any case
where material is to be used for pump
ng equipment on a lease OF 10 acres
II less, on which lease no other wells S
re located to which pumping equip
nent is attached
z. To any case where the priorities
ivision of OPM, upon recommended
ion of the OPC, has determined that
reduction of petroleum by any OPP
rator is necessary and appropriate IN
be public interest and to promote ma
Ional defense.
Zinc Control i