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By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

In 1939 Illinois produced 94,302,000 bbl. of oil—almost three times the amount of oil produced at the peak in 1908, when development in the southeastern Illinois field was at its height (Fig. I). It represents nearly a fourfold increase over the 24,075,000 bbl. produced in 1938 (Table 6). This rapid increase in oil production in Illinois is largely due to development in the Salem and Louden fields (Table I). During 1939 daily production for the state increased from 135,000 to 332,572 bbl. A notable increase in production for 1940 is expected as a result of the drilling of the Devonian limestone in the Salem and Centralia fields,

Jan 1, 1940

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

In 1939 Illinois produced 94,302,000 bbl. of oil—almost three times the amount of oil produced at the peak in 1908, when development in the southeastern Illinois field was at its height (Fig. I). It represents nearly a fourfold increase over the 24,075,000 bbl. produced in 1938 (Table 6). This rapid increase in oil production in Illinois is largely due to development in the Salem and Louden fields (Table I). During 1939 daily production for the state increased from 135,000 to 332,572 bbl. A notable increase in production for 1940 is expected as a result of the drilling of the Devonian limestone in the Salem and Centralia fields,

Jan 1, 1940

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

In 1941 Illinois produced 134,139,000 bbl. of oil, or 9.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked fourth among the states. The production for 1941 declined 9.2 per cent from the previous year's total of 147,647,000 bbl. Daily average production for 1941 was 366,000 bbl. At the beginning of the year daily production was slightly more than 326,000 bbl. and it remained at appoximately that amount until June, when there was a slight increase. The increase continued until the peak of 431,260 bbl. daily was reached for the week ending Oct. 4. Daily average production at the end of the year was approximately 387,500 barrels. The increased production during the last half of 1941 was largely due to the rapid development of the Johnsonville field, Wayne County, the Rural Hill field, Hamilton County, and the Benton field, Franklin County—new fields discovered in the current year (Fig' 1)—and the Woodlawn pool, discovered in 1940. Discoveries In 19 counties in southern Illinois, 44 new fields were discovered in 1941 (Fig. 2 and Table 2), and extensions to 40 fields were successfully completed (Table 3). At the end of the year there were 10,496 wells in the fields discovered since Jan. I, '937, as compared with 71965 wells at the end Of '940. The area proved for production in the new fields increased from 78,040 acres at the beginning of 1941 to 97,483 acres at the end of the year (Table I)—an increase of 19,433 acres, of which 9,955 acres are in the fields discovered during the current year, and the remainder of 9,478 acres in extensions to pools discovered earlier. Drilling During the past year, 3838 wells were completed in Illinois (Table 4), of which 2912 were oil producers, 13 were gas producers and 913 were dry holes; 76 per cent of the wells drilled were producers. Of the total number drilled, 591 wells are classified as "wildcat" and of these 84 (1 in 7) were successful in obtaining production. The results of an investigation to ascer-tain the reason for the locations of the wildcat wells are set forth in Table 5. Of the 591 wildcat wells, the 292 known to have been located by scientific methods were 21.6 per cent successful. The total footage of wildcat wells drilled in 1941 was 1,341,743 ft., of which a total of 216,995 ft. was drilled in successful wells. Exploration MEthods Subsurface geology and geophysics, largely the reflection seismograph, are still the principal methods used in exploration and development in the state. The number of seismograph parties operating throughout the year was as follows: seven parties on Jan. I, 1941; five on Apr. I; four On July I; eight on Oct. I; fifteen on Jan. 1: 1942.

Jan 1, 1942

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

In 1941 Illinois produced 134,139,000 bbl. of oil, or 9.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked fourth among the states. The production for 1941 declined 9.2 per cent from the previous year's total of 147,647,000 bbl. Daily average production for 1941 was 366,000 bbl. At the beginning of the year daily production was slightly more than 326,000 bbl. and it remained at appoximately that amount until June, when there was a slight increase. The increase continued until the peak of 431,260 bbl. daily was reached for the week ending Oct. 4. Daily average production at the end of the year was approximately 387,500 barrels. The increased production during the last half of 1941 was largely due to the rapid development of the Johnsonville field, Wayne County, the Rural Hill field, Hamilton County, and the Benton field, Franklin County—new fields discovered in the current year (Fig' 1)—and the Woodlawn pool, discovered in 1940. Discoveries In 19 counties in southern Illinois, 44 new fields were discovered in 1941 (Fig. 2 and Table 2), and extensions to 40 fields were successfully completed (Table 3). At the end of the year there were 10,496 wells in the fields discovered since Jan. I, '937, as compared with 71965 wells at the end Of '940. The area proved for production in the new fields increased from 78,040 acres at the beginning of 1941 to 97,483 acres at the end of the year (Table I)—an increase of 19,433 acres, of which 9,955 acres are in the fields discovered during the current year, and the remainder of 9,478 acres in extensions to pools discovered earlier. Drilling During the past year, 3838 wells were completed in Illinois (Table 4), of which 2912 were oil producers, 13 were gas producers and 913 were dry holes; 76 per cent of the wells drilled were producers. Of the total number drilled, 591 wells are classified as "wildcat" and of these 84 (1 in 7) were successful in obtaining production. The results of an investigation to ascer-tain the reason for the locations of the wildcat wells are set forth in Table 5. Of the 591 wildcat wells, the 292 known to have been located by scientific methods were 21.6 per cent successful. The total footage of wildcat wells drilled in 1941 was 1,341,743 ft., of which a total of 216,995 ft. was drilled in successful wells. Exploration MEthods Subsurface geology and geophysics, largely the reflection seismograph, are still the principal methods used in exploration and development in the state. The number of seismograph parties operating throughout the year was as follows: seven parties on Jan. I, 1941; five on Apr. I; four On July I; eight on Oct. I; fifteen on Jan. 1: 1942.

Jan 1, 1942

By Charles W. Carter, Alfred H. Bell

In 1942, Illinois produced 106,590,000 bbl. of crude oil, or 7.6 per cent of the entire amount produced in the United States. It ranked fifth among the oil- producing states. The production for 1942 declined 20.5 per cent from the previous year's total of 134,139,000 bbl. Tie daily average production for 1942 was approximately 292,000 bbl., or 74,000 bbl; less than the 366,000 daily average for 1941. At the beginning of 1942 the daily production was 367,000 bbl. This production declined steadily to 282,000 for June and to 246,000 for December. This steady decline was caused partly by the reduction in drilling resulting from Federal Conservation Order M-68 and partly by the fact that no major pool was found during the year. Discoveries Forty new fields (Fig. 2, Table 2), 48 extensions (Table 3), and 45 additional producing zones in existing fields (Table 4) Were discovered in 23 counties in Illinois during 1942. Of the 40 new fields, three

Jan 1, 1943

By Alfred H. Bell, Charles W. Carter

In 1942, Illinois produced 106,590,000 bbl. of crude oil, or 7.6 per cent of the entire amount produced in the United States. It ranked fifth among the oil- producing states. The production for 1942 declined 20.5 per cent from the previous year's total of 134,139,000 bbl. Tie daily average production for 1942 was approximately 292,000 bbl., or 74,000 bbl; less than the 366,000 daily average for 1941. At the beginning of 1942 the daily production was 367,000 bbl. This production declined steadily to 282,000 for June and to 246,000 for December. This steady decline was caused partly by the reduction in drilling resulting from Federal Conservation Order M-68 and partly by the fact that no major pool was found during the year. Discoveries Forty new fields (Fig. 2, Table 2), 48 extensions (Table 3), and 45 additional producing zones in existing fields (Table 4) Were discovered in 23 counties in Illinois during 1942. Of the 40 new fields, three

Jan 1, 1943

By Charles W. Carter, Alfred H. Bell

In 1943, Illinois produced 82,256,000 bbl. of oil, or 5.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked sixth in the nation in oil production. This represents a decline of 23 per cent from 1942, when the total Illinois production was 106,ggo,o~~ bbl. and Illinois ranked fifth. The daily average production for 1943 was approximately 225,000 bbl. Daily averages by months were as follows: Jan......... 238,000 July......... 218,000 Feb......... 240,000 Aug......... 216,000 Mar......... 237,qoo Sept........ 220,ooo Apr......... 230,000 Oct......... 220,000 May....... 221,000 Nov......... 223,000 June......; . 222,000 Dec......... z18,ooo This shows that most of the decline during the year took place between March and May, and that for the last eight months of 1943 production has been essentially steady. This means that there has been enough production from new wells drilled to balance the natural decline of the Older wells. The trends of drilling and production are shown in Fig. I and Table 3.

Jan 1, 1944

By Alfred H. Bell, Charles W. Carter

In 1943, Illinois produced 82,256,000 bbl. of oil, or 5.5 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked sixth in the nation in oil production. This represents a decline of 23 per cent from 1942, when the total Illinois production was 106,ggo,o~~ bbl. and Illinois ranked fifth. The daily average production for 1943 was approximately 225,000 bbl. Daily averages by months were as follows: Jan......... 238,000 July......... 218,000 Feb......... 240,000 Aug......... 216,000 Mar......... 237,qoo Sept........ 220,ooo Apr......... 230,000 Oct......... 220,000 May....... 221,000 Nov......... 223,000 June......; . 222,000 Dec......... z18,ooo This shows that most of the decline during the year took place between March and May, and that for the last eight months of 1943 production has been essentially steady. This means that there has been enough production from new wells drilled to balance the natural decline of the Older wells. The trends of drilling and production are shown in Fig. I and Table 3.

Jan 1, 1944

By Alfred H. Bell, Virginia Kline

In 1944, Illinois produced 77,413,000 bbl. of oil, or 4.6 per cent of the total for the United States, and continued to rank sixth in the nation in oil production. This represents a decrease of 6 per cent from 1943, when- the total Illinois production was 82,256,000 bbl. This decrease was much less than the 23 per cent decrease in 1943 from production of the previous year. The principal factor in arresting the production declinc, which had been going on since 1941, seems to be the increased drilling that followed the relaxing of the Federal Government's rules in regard to well spacing. The daily average production for 1944 was approximately 212,000 bbl. Daily averages by months were as follows: Jan......... 219,000 July........ 206,000 Feb......... 220,000 Aug......... 211,000 Mar........ 216,000 Sept......... 209,000 Apr......... 211,000 Oct......... 210,000 May........ 213,000 Nov........ 209,000 June........ 209,000 Dec......... 205,000 During the year, 1991 wells were drilled for oil and gas in Illinois as compared with 1791 in 1943, an increase of II per cent. Of the 1991 wells, 430 are classified as "wildcat" as compared with 461 in 1943. Twenty-eight new pools (Table 2 A) were discovered in 1944 as compared with 29 in 1943. Changes in federal drilling regulations, permitting closer spacing of wells, resulted in a drilling program that emphasized development of proved acreage rather than wildcatting. Data on production and drilling by fields are given in Table I; data on annual production and drilling for Illinois, in Table 3. Discoveries Twenty-eight new fields (Table 2 A), 42 extensions (Table 2 B), and 39 additional producing zones in existing fields (Table 2 C) were discovered in 16 counties in Illinois during 1944. Of the 28 new fields, one was abandoned during the year, 14 were one-well fields, eight others had not more than 6 wells, one had 8, one had 9, one had 11, one had 15, and the largest new field, Roaches North, had 28 producing wells at the end of the year. In all, 109 wells were producing in these new fields on Jan. 2, 1945, as compared with 111 wells producing from 29 new fields at the end of 1943. . The average initial production of the discovery wells of the 28 new fields was 129 bbl. of oil and II bbl. of water, a notable decline from the average initial production of 194 bbl, of oil and 15 bbl. of salt water for the 1943 discovery wells. In fields discovered since 1936, the total number of oil wells producing at the end of 1944 was 12,335. Productive Acreage The area of proved production in the new fields (discovered since 1936) increased from 144,335 acres at the end of 1943 to 173,485 acres at the end of 1944 (Table I), an increase of 29,150 acres. Of this increased area, 1720 acres are in fields discovered during 1944 and 27,430 acres are in extensions of fields discovered earlier.

Jan 1, 1945

By Ralph E. Esarey, G. F. Fix

The oil and gas industry in Indiana in 1938 showed considerable improvement over the preceding year. Most of the drilling and development during the year, as in the past several years, was in the Indiana portion of the Illinois Basin, but increasing interest was apparent in the old Trenton area, for possibilities of further production in the Trenton formation and the underlying St. Peter sandstone. Interest in all other portions of the state was at a new peak, since many areas have never been prospected. Natural gas production continued to drop during 1938, since new discoveries have not been able to keep pace with the rapid decline in older areas. Oil production increased considerably, chiefly through the discovery of new fields. Older fields contributed about the same quantity of oil during 1938 as during the preceding year. There were 159 wells completed in Indiana during 1938, an increase of 25 over the preceding year. Of these, 48 were oil wells, 41 were gas, and '70 failed to find commercial production. Forty-three, or about 20 per cent, were wildcat. Six of these were productive—three oil wells and three gas wells. Thirty-nine wells on which operations started during the year had riot been completed by Dec. 31. Fourteen others were temporarily abandoned, with the possibility that several will be drilled to completion in the near future. A new oil field (Heusler) was discovered in May 1938, in sees. 1 and 12, T. 7 S., R. 12 W., Posey County. Production was found in the Waltersburg (Upper (Chester) sandstone at a depth of approximately 1775 ft. At the close of the year, Heusler field had nine producing wells and two drilling. The Point township area, Posey County, near the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers, held promise of good production from the McClosky lime, but offsets to the, discovery well had only shows of oil. The discovery well declined rapidly in production arid was finally plugged. In the Oaktown field, Knox County, a wildcat came in with a good flow of gas, extending the field to the east, and proving considerably more acreage. A new gas area was discovered in Sullivan County, and four good wells were completed. The discovery well was in sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 10 W., and had an initial

Jan 1, 1939

By Ralph E. Esarey, G. F. Fix

The oil and gas industry in Indiana in 1938 showed considerable improvement over the preceding year. Most of the drilling and development during the year, as in the past several years, was in the Indiana portion of the Illinois Basin, but increasing interest was apparent in the old Trenton area, for possibilities of further production in the Trenton formation and the underlying St. Peter sandstone. Interest in all other portions of the state was at a new peak, since many areas have never been prospected. Natural gas production continued to drop during 1938, since new discoveries have not been able to keep pace with the rapid decline in older areas. Oil production increased considerably, chiefly through the discovery of new fields. Older fields contributed about the same quantity of oil during 1938 as during the preceding year. There were 159 wells completed in Indiana during 1938, an increase of 25 over the preceding year. Of these, 48 were oil wells, 41 were gas, and '70 failed to find commercial production. Forty-three, or about 20 per cent, were wildcat. Six of these were productive—three oil wells and three gas wells. Thirty-nine wells on which operations started during the year had riot been completed by Dec. 31. Fourteen others were temporarily abandoned, with the possibility that several will be drilled to completion in the near future. A new oil field (Heusler) was discovered in May 1938, in sees. 1 and 12, T. 7 S., R. 12 W., Posey County. Production was found in the Waltersburg (Upper (Chester) sandstone at a depth of approximately 1775 ft. At the close of the year, Heusler field had nine producing wells and two drilling. The Point township area, Posey County, near the confluence of the Wabash and Ohio Rivers, held promise of good production from the McClosky lime, but offsets to the, discovery well had only shows of oil. The discovery well declined rapidly in production arid was finally plugged. In the Oaktown field, Knox County, a wildcat came in with a good flow of gas, extending the field to the east, and proving considerably more acreage. A new gas area was discovered in Sullivan County, and four good wells were completed. The discovery well was in sec. 35, T. 8 N., R. 10 W., and had an initial

Jan 1, 1939

By M. M. Fidlar, Ralph E. Esarey

Conditions in the oil and gas industry in Indiana were somewhat better in 1936 than in the previous year, owing in large part to increased

Jan 1, 1937

By E. A. Koester

Kansas produced approximately 35,434,000 bbl. of oil in 1932 compared to 37,018,000 bbl. in 1931, a decrease of 1,584,000 bbl. or 4.2 per cent. These figures do not indicate the amount of oil that could have been made available from the state for the year. Many of the fields discovered during the year and some discovered in previous years were entirely shut in. Practically all flush production discovered within the last two years has been prorated in some manner or other. Probation Kansas production is under regulation as specified in House Bill 387, passed by the legislature in 1931, which became effective when published May 28, 1931. The principal features of the law are the prohibition of waste, including gas energy, the regulation and prevention of discrimination of purchasers, the marketing of oil ratably from wells in each field when the daily production is above 15 bbl. per well. This act gives the enforcing powers to the Public Service Commission. The Commission, having many other regulatory duties, appointed an Oil Advisory Committee, which, with the aid of the State Umpire, keeps records and makes recommendation for orders as to specific regulation of fields and conditions in each field. At the time the Commission was given authority to regulate production and marketing in flush fields, several of these had already been under voluntary proration and marketing restrictions by agreement of the operators. These gradually came under the control of the Commission by mutual consent. It is the policy of the Public Service Commission to follow the will of the operators so long as they do not have ideas or plans in conflict with the law. The cost of administration of this law is assessed against the operators according to the amount of oil taken from the fields in which ratable taking is necessary. There is a feeling that the whole state should share this expense, which is small, since it is beneficial to the older fields by assuring them 100 per cent market for their output by restricting the flush fields.

Jan 1, 1933

By C. D. Hunter, I. B. Browning, Ralph Thomas

Production of oil in Kentucky during 1938 was 5,566,154 bbl., showing a substantial increase over that of the year 1937; while in the gas areas development was somewhat retarded although deliveries were similar to those of 1937. In eastern Kentucky there was an oil increase during 1938 of over 150,000 bbl. above that of 1937. No new pools were developed and the increase was almost entirely due to the installation and expansion of secondary recovery methods and to the further development of the Maxon and Big Lime, Mississippian pools in Floyd and Martin Counties. With this development eastern Kentucky reached a level near that of 12 years previous, when the development of several large producing areas had just been completed. In eastern Kentucky during 1938 not over 50 gas wells were completed. Although the pipe-line deliveries were approximately the same as during 1937, development was retarded because of an excess of gas already developed and the intensive development of the Oriskany fields in West Virginia. In western Kentucky, in the part of the Illinois Basin lying in the state and known in Kentucky as the Western Coal Basin, the increase was due to the discovery of a number of new pools, the largest and the one producing the biggest wells being known as the Birk City pool. In fact, the discovery of this pool with the McClosky "sand" (St. Genevieve limestone) as the producing formation was in a large measure responsible for the increased activity, which in turn brought the discovery of the other areas. The discovery well in this pool is the C. T. Blackwell, which came in flowing 1000 bbl. daily from the McClosky sand at a depth of 1870 ft., drilled in April 22, 1938. This discovery, coming at a time when the major companies and many others were conducting an intensive leasing campaign and making extensive subsurface and geophysical surveys in the deeper part of the basin, resulted in renewed activity over the entire area and brought much new drilling. It also brought to Kentucky for

Jan 1, 1939

By C. D. Hunter, I. B. Browning, Ralph Thomas

Production of oil in Kentucky during 1938 was 5,566,154 bbl., showing a substantial increase over that of the year 1937; while in the gas areas development was somewhat retarded although deliveries were similar to those of 1937. In eastern Kentucky there was an oil increase during 1938 of over 150,000 bbl. above that of 1937. No new pools were developed and the increase was almost entirely due to the installation and expansion of secondary recovery methods and to the further development of the Maxon and Big Lime, Mississippian pools in Floyd and Martin Counties. With this development eastern Kentucky reached a level near that of 12 years previous, when the development of several large producing areas had just been completed. In eastern Kentucky during 1938 not over 50 gas wells were completed. Although the pipe-line deliveries were approximately the same as during 1937, development was retarded because of an excess of gas already developed and the intensive development of the Oriskany fields in West Virginia. In western Kentucky, in the part of the Illinois Basin lying in the state and known in Kentucky as the Western Coal Basin, the increase was due to the discovery of a number of new pools, the largest and the one producing the biggest wells being known as the Birk City pool. In fact, the discovery of this pool with the McClosky "sand" (St. Genevieve limestone) as the producing formation was in a large measure responsible for the increased activity, which in turn brought the discovery of the other areas. The discovery well in this pool is the C. T. Blackwell, which came in flowing 1000 bbl. daily from the McClosky sand at a depth of 1870 ft., drilled in April 22, 1938. This discovery, coming at a time when the major companies and many others were conducting an intensive leasing campaign and making extensive subsurface and geophysical surveys in the deeper part of the basin, resulted in renewed activity over the entire area and brought much new drilling. It also brought to Kentucky for

Jan 1, 1939

By Iley B. Browning, R. E. Strouder, Coleman D. Hunter, Ralph N. Thomas, George M. Straughan

Activity in the oil fields of the state was at a low ebb during the year because of the longest period of low prices that has yet prevailed, which has been detrimental to both the eastern and western sections of the state. Production for the state as a whole shows a drop of 209,192 bbl. during 1939, the total being 5,356,963 bbl. The loss is in the production of the western division, where a loss of approximately 300,000 bbl. more than offset a gain of approximately 100,000 bbl. in the eastern division. The loss in the western division can be attributed to decline in drilling activity due to the low prices prevailing, which were caused by flooding of the normal markcts with cheap Illinois crude. The gain in the eastern division is the result of repressuring operations begun in previous years and now showing results, and not to any renewed drilling activity. Gas development in western Kentucky during 1939 was of minor importance. In eastern Kentucky approximately 50 producing gas wells were drilled, which were sufficient for present market with excess reserves already developed. With the severe winter and additional industry load every gas well connected has been on line for the past three months. Although all demands are being met, development will be greatly increased during 1940 to meet depletion. From the geological point of view, the drilling activity in the western division developed additional information of benefit. Several wells on blocks of acreage assembled in previous years were drilled in the deeper parts of the Western Coal Basin—southern part of the Illinois Basin— giving for the first time accurate information about the Pennsylvanian and lower formations down to and through the Devonian.

Jan 1, 1940

By Iley B. Browning, George M. Straughan, Coleman D. Hunter, R. E. Strouder, Ralph N. Thomas

Activity in the oil fields of the state was at a low ebb during the year because of the longest period of low prices that has yet prevailed, which has been detrimental to both the eastern and western sections of the state. Production for the state as a whole shows a drop of 209,192 bbl. during 1939, the total being 5,356,963 bbl. The loss is in the production of the western division, where a loss of approximately 300,000 bbl. more than offset a gain of approximately 100,000 bbl. in the eastern division. The loss in the western division can be attributed to decline in drilling activity due to the low prices prevailing, which were caused by flooding of the normal markcts with cheap Illinois crude. The gain in the eastern division is the result of repressuring operations begun in previous years and now showing results, and not to any renewed drilling activity. Gas development in western Kentucky during 1939 was of minor importance. In eastern Kentucky approximately 50 producing gas wells were drilled, which were sufficient for present market with excess reserves already developed. With the severe winter and additional industry load every gas well connected has been on line for the past three months. Although all demands are being met, development will be greatly increased during 1940 to meet depletion. From the geological point of view, the drilling activity in the western division developed additional information of benefit. Several wells on blocks of acreage assembled in previous years were drilled in the deeper parts of the Western Coal Basin—southern part of the Illinois Basin— giving for the first time accurate information about the Pennsylvanian and lower formations down to and through the Devonian.

Jan 1, 1940

By George Straghan, Ralph Thomas

OIL production in Kentucky in 1941 was 5,191,024 bbl., one barrel less than in the preceding year. The total completions for the state numbered 714, of which 256 were gas Manuscript received at the office of the Institute Feb. 26. 1942. * Geologist, .Kentucky Weal Virginia Gas Co., Ashland, Ky. † Geoloneist. Inland Gas Co.. Ashland. Kv. producers, 220 oil wells, and 227 dry holes. The total number was 95 more than in 1940. No new important oil or gas pools were discovered. The number of dry tests was large, although many of the dry holes could be considered wildcat tests. In western Kentucky, 365 wells were drilled, of which 145 were oil producers,

Jan 1, 1942

By Ralph Thomas, George Straghan

OIL production in Kentucky in 1941 was 5,191,024 bbl., one barrel less than in the preceding year. The total completions for the state numbered 714, of which 256 were gas Manuscript received at the office of the Institute Feb. 26. 1942. * Geologist, .Kentucky Weal Virginia Gas Co., Ashland, Ky. † Geoloneist. Inland Gas Co.. Ashland. Kv. producers, 220 oil wells, and 227 dry holes. The total number was 95 more than in 1940. No new important oil or gas pools were discovered. The number of dry tests was large, although many of the dry holes could be considered wildcat tests. In western Kentucky, 365 wells were drilled, of which 145 were oil producers,

Jan 1, 1942

By Louise Barton Freeman, Iley B. Browning, Coleman D. Hunter

During 1942, production of oil in Kentucky reached a total of 4,169,163 bbl. of which 1,807,809 bbl. came from eastern Kentucky. This was more than a million barrels less than in 1941, owing partly to the low price of crude oil, which almost eliminated wildcatting, and partly to spacing regulations, which limited the number of wells drilled in small, shallow pools where the pressures are not sufficient to maintain maximum recovery in widely spaced wells. In eastern Kentucky much of the oil was produced from outliers of the Mauch Chunk series at the disconformable contact of the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian. Although wells producing from this horizon, known as the Maxon, are sprinkled over the entire area, the greatest concentrations are in Martin, Floyd, Knott and Pike Counties. A new 30 to 40-bbl. well has been completed in this formation in ,Pike County, where the carbon ratio is so high that ordinarily oil would not be expected. Pike County is one of the largest producers of Maxon gas, and the offset well to this oil well produced gas. Of the 412 gas wells drilled in Pike County, 12.2 per cent produced gas from the Maxon horizon. During 1942, the old Menifee " Cornif-erous" field, the Mariba-Denniston field, was redrilled between old wells, and although it did not produce any large amount of oil it did contribute 2018 bbl. In the oldest oil field in eastern Kentucky, the Ragland pool, operators are cleaning out abandoned wells and are using this oil for fuel oil. There is a possibility that some of this may be used in the future as distilled fuel oil. Eight wells were completed in 1942 in the Jackson County gas field. The development of Jackson County, which was started in 1934 and in which commercial quantities of gas were encountered at a depth of 1100 to 1200 ft., has become of importance in 1942 with the completion of eight wells, making a total of 24 commercial producing wells with an average rock pressure of 140 lb. At this time the gas is not being marketed. In the last year it has been found that these wells, which produce from the Niagaran dolomite ("Cornif-erous"), respond to acidizing and the production has been thus greatly increased. There has been less development in Estill and Lee Counties than for several years. Two wells were drilled in Greenup County, one of which had a show of oil in the Berea sandstone. One deep test, drilled by the Owens-Libbey-Owens Co. in Lawrence County, was dry. This well was drilled to a depth of 4975 ft. into the top of the Clinton shale sequence. Of the 202 wells completed in Floyd, Martin, Knott and Pike Counties, 187 were gas wells, 3 oil wells and 12 dry holes. In Floyd County 66 per cent of the gas production was from the Devonian-Mis-sissippian black shales, 53 per cent in Martin, 79 per cent in Knott and 65 per cent in Pike. This is probably the largest continuous gas field east of the Mississippi

Jan 1, 1943