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By C. P. Williams

THE lead-bearing area of Missouri has been subdivided, geographically, into the Southeastern, the Central, and the Southwestern

Jan 1, 1877

By Henderson, Robert

A GOOD idea of the magnitude of the underground operations at Climax can be gained from the following figures. A little more than 43,000,000 tons has been drawn from the mine and of this amount, 40,500,000 tons has been drawn in the past ten years and 12,000,000 tons was drawn in two of the war years. The maximum daily average output over a period of one month was slightly more than 20,000 tons but during this period, production on certain days was 24,000 tons, and 9000 tons was produced in a single eight-hour shift. This production came chiefly from 260 draw points although all of them were never in operation at one time. The haulage system for these draw points is made up of 7.5 miles of 36-in.-gauge track, and 131,000 ft. of subsidiary drifts and 44,000 ft. of raises have been driven to develop the necessary broken ore reserves for this high production. Power consumption is often considered an index of operating efficiency. In 1943, the year of maximum production, the mine power consumption was 19,223,000 kw.-hr. or 3 kw.-hr. per ton; in 1945 it was 3.5 kw.-hr. per ton. To handle this amount of power, there are four transformer stations and one switch station in the mine. Mr. Garrabrant, the chief electrician, describes the electrical installation in this issue.

Jan 1, 1946

By R. L. Wilcox, M. L. Fuller

MOST commercial alloys undergo changes in phase composition after casting. This is a natural result of the fact that the alloys are not in a state of phase equilibrium as cast and phase changes will therefore take place, with more or less rapidity, in an attempt to attain equilibrium. The practical aspect of aging in zinc-alloy die castings concerns the changes in physical properties and in dimensions that may accompany aging phase changes. Harmful alterations have been reduced to a minimum and zinc-alloy die castings are being produced today that are so stable with respect to dimensions and physical properties that they are entirely suitable for most practical purposes1. In the first paper2 of this series, and in this paper, aging phase changes of zinc alloy die castings have been investigated and the possible influence of these changes on dimensional changes of the castings has been evaluated and compared with the dimensional changes actually experienced. The change of dimensions has been selected for practical comparison in these papers because the effect of phase changes on the dimensions of a casting is directly calculable from X-ray crystal-analysis data of the phase structure. The die-casting alloys considered contain, in addition to zinc, 4 per cent of aluminum, about 0.03 per cent magnesium, and from 0 to 3 per cent of copper. It was shown in the former paper that the eutectoidal decomposition of the beta aluminum-zinc phase, while intrinsically capable of causing a considerable shrinkage, can have very little effect on the observed shrinkage of die castings because it takes place within a few days of aging, whereas the observed shrinkage continues for five weeks. It was therefore concluded that the other existing phase change,

Jan 1, 1935

By B. E. Grant

THE major metal mine operations of the United States Smelting Refining and Mining Company in Utah are in the Bingham area. The Company also owns and operates metal mines in the Ophir district, twelve miles south of Bingham, and in the Tintic district, 28 miles south of Ophir. Operations of the Company in the Park City area have been idle since early in World War II. These mining camps, lying at moderate elevations, serviced by railroads, hard-surfaced highways, in close proximity to mills, smelters, cities and towns, fertile valleys, winter and summer vacation areas, and airports are probably as favorably situated as any mining camps in the world. The Bingham district, known principally for its copper production from

Jan 1, 1948

By P. V. Brough, K. B. Gillaspie

DECISION to build a mill at the Bayard property was made in May 1942. Western-Knapp Engineering Co., of San Francisco, assisted by engineers of U. S. Smelting, handled the design and construction. Much of the milling equipment was moved from the Company's mill at Goldroad, Ariz. Wartime restrictions necessitated wood construction and paper sheathing except for structures adjacent to the Bullfrog shaft. Construction started in September 1942 and milling in March 1943. Bayard ores are processed in a single-ection mill. About half of the ore treated during the past year was hoisted through the Bullfrog shaft and the rest was trucked from other shafts. Coarse storage includes four bins, two of 120 tons each for Bullfrog ores and two of 85 to 120 tons each, served by a truck ramp. The low capacity figure refers to

Jan 1, 1948

By Thomas T. Read

IN reviewing the field of mineral industry education last year reference was made to recent assertions, mostly emanating from sources not in a position to know the facts, that mining engineers as a class are disappearing. Attention might also then have been called to a statement that appeared in Engineering News, August 11, 1892 (p. 130), ". . . the great absolute decline in number of mining graduates, which last amounts almost to a complete abandonment of mining engineering as a distinct branch of study." Evidently we outrank opera stars in the number of farewell appearances we are able to make; 43

Jan 1, 1936

By Frederick Rhines

PURE copper that has been allowed to oxidize at an elevated tempera-ture in the air is found to be covered with two distinguishable layers of oxide scale. The outer of these, which is very thin, is composed of cupric oxide, while the inner layer, comprising the bulk of the scale, is made up chiefly of cuprous oxide (Fig. 1a). If a small quantity of an alloying element, such as silicon, is present in the copper, silica particles are found disseminated through the cuprous oxide, deposited most abundantly near the metal surface, and, in addition, silica particles occur to a limited depth within the copper itself (Fig. 1b). It is this inner layer, composed of oxide particles precipitated in a matrix of metallic copper that is known as the "subscale" or the zone of internal oxidation. Under a low oxygen pressure it is possible to produce the subscale without the formation of external layers of copper oxides, thus leaving the metal surface bright and apparently clean while oxidation has occurred, in fact, to a considerable depth within the metal (Fig. 2). Although little is yet known in a detailed way of the mechanism of internal oxidation, the general nature of the process is evident. By virtue of the considerable solubility of oxygen in copper,1 it is possible to bring the alloying element in contact with oxygen within the metallic solid solution. If the oxide of the alloying element is more stable than cuprous oxide, the foreign oxide may form and, since most oxides are relatively insoluble in copper, it will not long remain in solution, but will separate as a precipitate. As the metallic solute is exhausted in the zone of precipitation, oxygen that is constantly being supplied at the surface diffuses farther into the alloy and thus produces an ever-thickening shell of subscale. The distribution of the reacting elements in the subscale and adjoining zones must be somewhat as indicated in Fig. 3. The conditions requisite to internal oxidation to be anticipated are thus: (1) a solubility of oxygen in the alloy, (2) the ability of oxygen to diffuse at an appreciable rate into the alloy, (3) the possibility of the

Jan 1, 1940

By Max Hebgen

Within the State of Montana the streams rise in the high mountains at. an elevation of from 5,000 to 8,000 ft. These streams leave the State line both east and west at elevations from 3,500 to 2,400 ft. It is, therefore, apparent. that all these streams have an average fall of 3,000 ft. within the confines of the. State, and many opportunities are presented on all streams. for the development of power, by taking advantage of the natural fall. It is probable that 1,000,000 h. p. can :be developed in the State of Montana. I. NATURAL FEATURES OF STATE AFFECTING POWER DEVELOPMENT. The main. range of the Rocky mountains, forming the Continental Divide, cuts the State of Montana into two parts. The eastern part is drained by the Missouri river and its tributaries, the Madison; Jefferson, Gallatin and Yellowstone, rivers. The western part is drained by tributaries to the Columbia river, the Clarks fork and the Kootenai river. The Clarks fork in turn is formed by the junction of Missoula and Flathead rivers, the latter, draining Flathead lake. The western part of the State. is mountainous and the eastern part is comparatively level. As a natural result the rivers in the western part are capable of generating large amounts of power, while in the eastern part of the State natural power sites are much fewer and farther apart. It also follows that in the mountainous districts large amounts of power are required for the mining industry, while in the eastern part of the State, which is principally devoted to agriculture, power is required in smaller quantities. ?

Jan 8, 1913

By John Wulff, Robert Kamm, M. A. Steinberg

IN a previous paper1 from this laboratory, the development of a lead grid method for exploring the distribution of strain and density within metal powder compacts was described, In that work thin lead foil with rectangular holes cut at regular intervals was inserted with the powder fill, the arrangement pressed and then radiographed to permit measurement of the deformation of the lead grid. Densities at each grid element obtained in this manner were plotted as a function of the die dimensions. From such plots it was, found that the densest part of a compact pressed from one side (the top) is at the top outer region and the least dense at the bottom outer region -of the specimen. The axial density maximum occurs more often nearer the bottom than at the top. As a result of such exploratory measurements, it appeared reasonable to conclude that variations in density could be attributed in the main to die wall friction. Thus compacts of large diameter appeared relatively uniform in density except where the die fill had been uneven. Finally it was found that lubrication of the finely finished die cavity contributed more to magnitude and uniformity of density within the compact than interparticle lubrication. Since publication of the above results, it was found that circular-hole grids could be more accurately made and, when deformed within the powder, more readily measured and analyzed. Much of the former work was repeated and new results which include the effect of lubrication, compact height, pressure, speed of pressing and vacuum pressing are reported in the present paper. CIRCULAR-HOLE GRIDS AND ANALYSES OF RADIOGRAPHS Commercial lead sheet 0.008 in. in thickness was used in all the work reported. The 0.0938-in. diam holes were punched in the sheet on 1/8-in, centers to an accuracy of 0.001 in. The finished grid used contained eight or more holes in a row and from I to 24 rows. The lead sheet was clamped between two pairs of brass strips bolted to a small milling machine table which was itself bolted to a bench in correct position near a vise which held the punch. Travel of the lead grid in two dimensions was controlled by two steel lead screws calibrated in 0.001-in. divisions. A stripper plate was used on the punch to avoid distortion of the lead foil. A high carbon-high chromium (chrocar) one-piece steel die was used throughout the work. The die cavity was 1,125 in. in diam and the clearance between plungers and die wall was 0.001 in, The die was also used for pressing from both ends with two long plungers. Finally, lapping of die and plungers gave a surface whose rms value on an Abbot profilometer was 5 micro-in. The die walls and plungers were, except where otherwise noted, lubricated with a stearic acid suspension in benzene. This was put on in multiple layers and allowed to dry before filling the die.

Jan 1, 1948

By M. A. Steinberg, J. Wulff, R. Kamm

In a previous paper1 from this laboratory, the development of a lead grid method for exploring the distribution of strain and density within metal powder compacts was described. In that work thin lead foil with rectangular holes cut at regular intervals was inserted with the powder fill, the arrangement pressed and then radiographed to permit measurement of the deformation of the lead grid. Densities at each grid element obtained in this manner were plotted as a function of the die dimensions. From such plots it was found that the densest part of a compact pressed from one side (the top) is at the top outer region and the least dense at the bottom outer region of the specimen. The axial density maximum occurs more often nearer the bottom than at the top. As a result of such exploratory measurements, it appeared reasonable to conclude that variations in density could be attributed in the main to die wall friction. Thus compacts of large diameter appeared relatively uniform in density except where the die fill had been uneven. Finally it was found that lubrication of the finely finished die cavity contributed more to magnitude and uniformity of density within the compact than interparticle lubrication. Since publication of the above results, it was found that circular-hole grids could be more accurately made and, when deformed within the powder, more readily measured and analyzed. Much of the former work was repeated and new results which include the effect of lubrication, compact height, pressure, speed of pressing and vacuum pressing are reported in the present paper. Circular-hole Grids and Analyses OF Radiographs Commercial lead sheet 0.008 in. in thickness was used in all the work reported. The 0.0938-in. diam holes were punched in the sheet on 1/8-in. centers to an accuracy of 0.001 in. The finished grid used contained eight or more holes in a row and from I to 24 rows. The lead sheet was clamped between two pairs of brass strips bolted to a small milling machine table which was itself bolted to a bench in correct position near a vise which held the punch. Travel of the lead grid in two dimensions was controlled by two steel lead screws calibrated in 0.001-in. divisions. A stripper plate was used on the punch to avoid distortion of the lead foil. A high carbon-high chromium (chrocar) one-piece steel die was used throughout the work. The die cavity was 1.125 in. in diam and the clearance between plungers and die wall was 0.001 in. The die was also used for pressing from both ends with two long plungers. Finally, lapping of die and plungers gave a surface whose rms value On an Abbot profilometer was 5 micro-in. The die walls and plungers were, except where otherwise noted, lubricated with a stearic acid suspension in benzene. This was put on in multiple layers and allowed to dry before filling the die.

Jan 1, 1949

By AIME AIME

HOWARD H. PRESTON, professor of economics and business at the University of Washington, presented a paper before the North Pacific Section, A.I.M.E., on Jan. 23, on the "Economic Aspects of Gold and Silver." He carefully reviewed recent governmental actions that have affected those metals and gave an interpretation of their effects. A brief excerpt from his address; follows: Including the proclamation of March 6, 1933, the principal steps of the present Administration which have carried the United States off the gold standard and led up to the present program have been: (1) The Presidential proclamation of March 6 controlling gold. (2) The monetary sections of the Emergency Banking Act of March 9. (3) Mobilization of gold under Executive orders issued March 10 and April 5. (4) The gold embargo by Executive order, April 20. (5) The controlled inflation bill, May 12. (6) The joint resolution abrogating the gold clauses, June 5. (7) The Executive orders on newly mined gold, Aug. 28. (8) The President's radio address of Oct. 22 and the R.F.C. gold-buying program. (9) New anti-hoarding order calling in small holdings of gold, Dec. 28, 1933 and Jan. 15, 1934. (10) Nationalization and revaluation of gold' (Message to Congress, Jan. 15).

Jan 1, 1934

By D. J. Mack, R. E. Reiswig

Six examples of the peritectoid transformation were selected from the literature and studied by the method of isothermal transformation. The kinetics and mechanisms of five of the examples are presented as TTT diagrams and photomicrographs. The exist-enc- of a peritectoid in the sixth case is doubtful. ALTHOUGH the peritectoid transformation per se has been known for many years, no precise published data exist concerning the kinetics or mechanisms involved in transformations of this type, except for the brief treatment by Rhines, et al. 1,10 Bearing in mind the fact that investigations of recent years are uncovering more and more peritectoids and suspected peritectoids, a thorough study of the well-established peritectoids appeared to be in order. It was for this reason that a study of the kinetics and morphological mechanisms of six binary peritectoids was undertaken. The six peritectoids selected from the literature for study were those reported at 7.02 wt pct Al-Ag, 26.0 wt pct Sb-Cu, 30.5 wt pct Sb-Cu, 32.3 wt pct Sn-Cu, 8.35 wt pct Si-Cu, and 21.2 wt pct Al-Cu. These selections were based on availability and purity of components, ease of preparation and heat-treatment, and estimated reliability of the available equilibrium diagrams in the regions of interest. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The alloys used in this investigation were induction melted in electrode-grade graphite and chill-cast in cast-iron split molds. In all cases, the alloys were so brittle that they could easily be broken into samples weighing 1 or 2 g. Chemical analyses showed that the alloys used were close to the respective peritectoid compositions reported in the literature and that the impurity levels were low in all cases. Metallographic examination showed uniform distributions of phases in all samples, indicating uniformity of composition in the samples studied. Isothermal transformation studies were carried out in fused-salt media, using the familiar inter-rupted-quench method. Uniformity of temperature in the salt baths was maintained by continuous stirring with a stainless-steel agitator. On the basis of actual observations of the temperature fluctuations, the estimated temperature control was + 10C for the Ag-Al and Cu-Sb alloys and ±30C for the Cu-Sn, Cu-Si, and Cu-Al alloys. The accuracy of all temperature measurements was estimated to be ±1°C. It was found necessary to mount metallographic specimens of the Ag-Al alloy in cold-curing methyl methacrylate, since the temperatures encountered in mounting in bakelite or lucite caused an appreciable degree of transformation to the ß phase. For the other alloys, wood-flour-filled bakelite mounts were used to avoid extraneous X-ray diffraction lines during the later examination of the metallographic specimens on a Norelco Geiger-counter d if f r ac tomete r. In the X-ray diffraction procedure, agreement between the published diffraction patterns and those obtained in this study was good. This was particularly important for phase identification, since the literature contained little in the way of micrograph description in some cases. Etching of the silver-aluminum alloy for metallographic examination was done by swabbing with either of the following reagents: 1) 10 g CrO3, 1 g (NH4), SO2, 0.5 g NH4NO3, 100 ml H2O, or 2) 10 ml NH4OH, 1 ml 20 pct KOH, 4 ml 3 pct H2O2, 5 ml H2O. The other alloys were etched with the usual bichromate etchant: 2 g K2Cr2O7, 1.5 g NaC1, 8 ml conc. H2SO4, 100 ml H20 (swabbed vigorously). EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS A) The Ag-Al peritectoid at 7.02 wt pct Al— The phase equilibrium involved in this peritectoid is shown in Fig. I.2 The phase boundaries in the vicinity of the peritectoid were most comprehensively established by Hume-Rothery, et al,3 who placed the equilibrium temperature at 448 °C and the equilibrium compositions of the a ß' and y phases at 6.11, 7.02, and 7.24 wt pct Al, respective The alloy used in this study analyzed4 6.95 wt pct A making it slightly hypoperitectoid according to the accepted equilibrium diagram. The rate of the transformation a+ y — ß' varies rapidly with degree of undercooling below the equilibrium temperature, passing through a maximum in the vicinity of 350°C. Thus the TTT dia-

Jan 1, 1960

By M. L. Fuller

MOST commercial alloys undergo changes in phase composition after casting. This is a natural result of the fact that the alloys are not in a state of phase equilibrium as cast and phase changes will therefore take place, with more or less rapidity, in an attempt to attain equilibrium. The practical aspect of aging in zinc-alloy die castings concerns the changes in physical properties and in dimensions that may accompany aging phase changes. Harmful alterations have been reduced to a minimum and zinc-alloy die castings are being produced today that are so stable with respect to dimensions and physical properties that they are entirely suitable for most practical purposes1. In the first paper' of this series, and in this paper, aging phase changes of zinc alloy die castings have been investigated and the possible influence of these changes on dimensional changes of the castings has been evalu-ated and compared with the dimensional changes actually experienced. The change of dimensions has been selected for practical comparison in these papers because the effect of phase changes on the dimensions of a casting is directly calculable; from X-ray crystal-analysis data of the phase structure. The die-casting alloys considered contain, in addition to zinc, 4 per cent of aluminum, about 0.03 per cent magnesium, and from 0 to 3 per cent of copper. It was shown in the former paper that the eutectoidal decomposition of the beta aluminum-zinc phase, while intrinsically capable of causing a considerable shrinkage, can have very little effect on the observed shrinkage of die castings because it takes place within a few days of aging, whereas the observed shrinkage continues for five weeks. It was therefore concluded that the other existing phase change,

Jan 1, 1936

By CHARLES W. BENTON

THE following paragraphs comprise such information as the Secretary has been able to obtain concerning the members and associates whose deaths have been reported. Further particulars or corrections of errors, and biographical data concerning deceased members or associates not already noticed in this way, are solicited. Charles IV. Benton was born at Kezar Falls, Maine, Nov. 12, 1843. We have no accurate knowledge concerning the early part of his career. In 1871 he engaged with the N. Y. Honduras Rosario Mining Co., at San Juancinto, Honduras, C. A., and later was employed at the Monserrat mine at Yuscaran, and at Santa Lucia, Honduras, with the Tenero Mining Milling Co. of Pennsylvania. In 1897 he became a member of the Institute. At the time he was stricken with his last sickness he was employed at the Paymaster mine at Tucson, Ariz. He died at Fairmount, Denver, Colo., Sept. 9, 1907. William R. Boggs, Jr.-The notice in the Bulletin for January was incorrect in saying that the murder of Mr. Boggs occurred while he was employed as metallurgical. manager by Mr. W. B. A. Dingwall, at La Maroma, San Luis Potosi, Mex. Mr. Dingwall writes that in March, 1907, Mr. Boggs left him, to return to his home at Winston, N. C., whence he. subsequently went to Durango, Mex., to take, with the Topia Mining Co., a position which he occupied at the tine of his death, Nov. 17, 1907. Mr. Dingwall says that, while in his service, Mr. Boggs never had any trouble with the workmen, but was esteemed and liked by them, as by all who knew him ; and adds, injustice to the State of San Luis Potosi, that the population, even in the mining-camps of that State, is orderly and law-abiding, and that the authorities are vigilant and just. Our

Mar 1, 1908

By J. Burns Read

IT IS the purpose of this paper to summarize, as far as possible, the metallurgical information and experience gained by the Ordnance Department, during the War, in the manufacture of artillery cartridge cases, to describe the tests to which artillery cartridge cases were put, and to summarize the knowledge and experience gained in this testing. The authors wish to acknowledge the aid given by manufacturers, army officers, and civilian employees of the Ordnance Department in obtaining these data. Artillery cartridge cases are cold drawn from circular disks punched from strips of rolled brass. The manufacture involves from 25 to 30 main operations, which are done almost entirely on a punch press. Descriptions of the operations have appeared in various periodicals and, therefore, will not be given here. After each cupping, or drawing, operation, except the last, the cases are annealed at from 540° to 650° C. (1000° to 1200°F.), to remove all the hardening stresses set up in the metal and to allow complete recrystallization. After each annealing, the cases are pickled in niter cake or sulfuric-acid solution and then washed in water to remove all traces of acid. In some instances, the cases are then immersed in a cyanide-salt solution, and afterwards rinsed in water, to remove the thin layer of copper that forms on the surface of the cases during the acid pickle. The last cold-drawing operation is followed, by the heading operation which, by flattening the head of the case on the outside, causes the metal to flow on the inside to approximately the proper finished dimensions. The mouth, or open end, is then annealed at 430° to 480° C. (800° to 900° F.) by immersion in a salt bath or by gas flames. After being washed, the cases are tapered, when they are ready for machining, inspection, and testing.

Jan 4, 1922

Jan 1, 1887

By AIME AIME

T HE 121st meeting of the Institute held in New York City, February 16 to 19, 1920, was a great success despite vicissitudes of weather of unusual severity. On account of tremendous snowstorms, only two members of the Canadian contingent arrived, and several of our members from the west arrived thirty hours late. Two weeks prior to the meeting, the heaviest snowstorm in 34 years wrecked the surface transportation in New York; and it was only by special dispensation that arrangements were effected, with the New York Street Cleaning Department to clear away 39th street in front of this building so that vehicles could reach the curb. The total registration of members and guests was 1138.

Jan 1, 1920

By W. H. Hough, P. B. Leavenworth

Development in the Upper Texas Gulf Coast during 1943 resulted in the discovery of 11 new fields as compared with 12 discovered in the same area during I942. Of the 11 new fields, eight are classed as oil and/or condensate and three as gas fields. In addition to the new discoveries, several more or less important new horizons and extensions were encountered in some of the older fields, as noted in the text under the heading "New Pays and Extensions.'' Drilling During the year, 418 wells were drilled, as compared with 356 drilled during 1942. Of these, 323 were field wells, of which 188 produced oil, 21 were gas wells and 114 were dry holes. The remaining 95 viere wildcats, 12 of which produced oil, 4 produced gas and 79 dry holes. Distribution of themwildcats with respect to the various trends may be summarized as follows: over the 91,340,492 bbl. produced in the same area during 1942. The production statistics in the text and the accompanying tables include condensate or distillate as oil production, because many Gulf Coast fields produce oils with a wide variation of specific gravities, all of which are commingled in pipe lines. Table 3 shows by counties all of the drilling and production" data applicable to this particular area. Outstanding Fields of 1943 The Upper Texas Gulf Coast covered in this report has 178 more or less active oil and gas fields, including the 1943 discoveries. Of these Table 4 lists those that were most important from the standpoint of production. Each of these fields pro duced in excess of one million barrels of oil during 1943. Some of the interesting facts to be noted from this list of some 26 oil fields are: (I) four of the fields— namely, Conroe, Hastings, Friendswood and Thompson—each produced more than 10 million barrels during 1943, whcrcas Conroe and Hastings were the only fields that produced 10 million barrels during 1942; (2) some of the older fields (discovered prior to 1920), such as Barbers Hill, West Columbia, and Hull, are still producing in excess of one million barrels annually; (3) some of the fields more than doubled their 1942 production—e.g., Anahuac and Friendswood. The large increase in production in practically all instances is the result of increased allowables from wells drilled prior to 1943 and

Jan 1, 1944

By W. H. Hough, P. B. Leavenworth

Development in the Upper Texas Gulf Coast during 1943 resulted in the discovery of 11 new fields as compared with 12 discovered in the same area during I942. Of the 11 new fields, eight are classed as oil and/or condensate and three as gas fields. In addition to the new discoveries, several more or less important new horizons and extensions were encountered in some of the older fields, as noted in the text under the heading "New Pays and Extensions.'' Drilling During the year, 418 wells were drilled, as compared with 356 drilled during 1942. Of these, 323 were field wells, of which 188 produced oil, 21 were gas wells and 114 were dry holes. The remaining 95 viere wildcats, 12 of which produced oil, 4 produced gas and 79 dry holes. Distribution of themwildcats with respect to the various trends may be summarized as follows: over the 91,340,492 bbl. produced in the same area during 1942. The production statistics in the text and the accompanying tables include condensate or distillate as oil production, because many Gulf Coast fields produce oils with a wide variation of specific gravities, all of which are commingled in pipe lines. Table 3 shows by counties all of the drilling and production" data applicable to this particular area. Outstanding Fields of 1943 The Upper Texas Gulf Coast covered in this report has 178 more or less active oil and gas fields, including the 1943 discoveries. Of these Table 4 lists those that were most important from the standpoint of production. Each of these fields pro duced in excess of one million barrels of oil during 1943. Some of the interesting facts to be noted from this list of some 26 oil fields are: (I) four of the fields— namely, Conroe, Hastings, Friendswood and Thompson—each produced more than 10 million barrels during 1943, whcrcas Conroe and Hastings were the only fields that produced 10 million barrels during 1942; (2) some of the older fields (discovered prior to 1920), such as Barbers Hill, West Columbia, and Hull, are still producing in excess of one million barrels annually; (3) some of the fields more than doubled their 1942 production—e.g., Anahuac and Friendswood. The large increase in production in practically all instances is the result of increased allowables from wells drilled prior to 1943 and

Jan 1, 1944

By V. R. Garfias

Principal events in petroleum operations of Mexico during 1934 have been the completion of three producing wells in the Poza Rica area and the plans for the expansion of operations of the Cia. de Petroleos de Mexico, S.A. (Petromex). Production for 1934 is estimated at close to 38,000,000 bbl., an increase of 4,000,000 bbl. over the previous year; an increase due in large part to the successful development in Poza Rica. The output of the South fields (Golden Lane) and Tehuantepec fields also increased somewhat during the year. Production of natural gasoline increased from 382,000 to 431,000 bbl. in 1934. Crude run in local refineries is estimated at 26,000,000bbl., some4,000,000bbl. more than the previous year. Exclusive of bunker fuel exports totaled 24,000,000 bbl., or 3,000,000 more than in 1933. Domestic consumption increased approximately 500,000,bbl. during the year, reaching a total of close to 13,600,000 bbl., exclusive of ships' bunkers. A total of 148 wells were completed as compared to 91 in 1933 and 40 in 1932. In proven areas, 133 completions resulted in 54 producers and 79 failures. The 15 wildcats drilled during 1934 gave no encouraging results. Seven of these were located in the border zone of northeastern Mexico; three tested possible northeast extensions of the Northern fields; two were drilled for possible extensions of the "Golden Lane" and three were completed in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Fields Northern Fields (Heavy Oil District).—There were 34 producing wells and 71 failures completed in the Northern fields, as compared to 20 producers and 20 failures in 1933. Practically all new producers were drilled to the shallower San Felipe formation, while wells drilled to the deeper Tamasopo limestone encountered salt water. Production of the field totaled 11,890,000 bbl., a decrease of 7.5 per cent from the previous year. Acid treatment was attempted during the year in seven wells

Jan 1, 1935