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By J. O. Nomland

DuRing the year 1939 the program of the California Arabian Standard Oil Co. in eastern Saudi Arabia consisted of drilling wells to increase the production of Dammam Dome. (This structure is also sometimes referred to as Dhahran Dome.) In addition, in other areas of the concession, wildcat wells are being drilled on geologically favorable structures. In the early wells drilled at Dhahran, production was at a depth of 2000 to 2200 ft. Since discovery of the "Arab zone" below 4300 ft., all of the later wells have been drilled to the deeper productive members. At present there are at Dhahran fivc wells in various stages of drilling or completion. In addition, 15 wells previously were drilled to the upper or lower zones. Although some of the early locations are exceptions, in general the spacing of the wells is at 3000 feet. Prospect testing consisted in drilling one well at Abu Hadriya and one at Ma'agala, about 100 miles northwest and 120 miles west of Dhahran. The first had attained a depth of 8655 ft. without encountering the main Darnmam productive zone, while the second was at a depth of 1372 ft. Both of these wildcat wells are on large dome structures. Production.—During the year 3,933,903 bbl. of approximately 35" gravity oil was produced, all from flowing wells. A part of this production was shipped in barges to the refinery at Bahrein. In early May a 40-mile 10-in. pipe line was completed to the deep-water terminal at Ras Tanura. The ceremony of first opening the valve for flow of oil into an ocean tanker was performed by King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. Since that time tanker shipments have continued, both to Bahrein and to world markets. Only sufficient gas for camp purposes has been produced. Equipment.—A stabilization plant has been completed at Dhahran and plans have been made for a refinery at Ras Tanura. A modern camp is being built including power plant, central air-conditioning plant, radio station, employees' club and housing facilities for both married and single employees. Both the offices and dwellings are being air-conditioned. There is a hospital, with medical staff and nurses, providing facilities for both Saudi Arabs and Americans.

Jan 1, 1940

By J. O. Nomland

DuRing the year 1939 the program of the California Arabian Standard Oil Co. in eastern Saudi Arabia consisted of drilling wells to increase the production of Dammam Dome. (This structure is also sometimes referred to as Dhahran Dome.) In addition, in other areas of the concession, wildcat wells are being drilled on geologically favorable structures. In the early wells drilled at Dhahran, production was at a depth of 2000 to 2200 ft. Since discovery of the "Arab zone" below 4300 ft., all of the later wells have been drilled to the deeper productive members. At present there are at Dhahran fivc wells in various stages of drilling or completion. In addition, 15 wells previously were drilled to the upper or lower zones. Although some of the early locations are exceptions, in general the spacing of the wells is at 3000 feet. Prospect testing consisted in drilling one well at Abu Hadriya and one at Ma'agala, about 100 miles northwest and 120 miles west of Dhahran. The first had attained a depth of 8655 ft. without encountering the main Darnmam productive zone, while the second was at a depth of 1372 ft. Both of these wildcat wells are on large dome structures. Production.—During the year 3,933,903 bbl. of approximately 35" gravity oil was produced, all from flowing wells. A part of this production was shipped in barges to the refinery at Bahrein. In early May a 40-mile 10-in. pipe line was completed to the deep-water terminal at Ras Tanura. The ceremony of first opening the valve for flow of oil into an ocean tanker was performed by King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud. Since that time tanker shipments have continued, both to Bahrein and to world markets. Only sufficient gas for camp purposes has been produced. Equipment.—A stabilization plant has been completed at Dhahran and plans have been made for a refinery at Ras Tanura. A modern camp is being built including power plant, central air-conditioning plant, radio station, employees' club and housing facilities for both married and single employees. Both the offices and dwellings are being air-conditioned. There is a hospital, with medical staff and nurses, providing facilities for both Saudi Arabs and Americans.

Jan 1, 1940

By C. W. Hamilton

In the production of crude petroleum for the year 1930 Venezuela again maintained its world rank of second only to the United States. During the latter months of the year Russia forged ahead of Venezuela in daily rate of production, and from the present outlook will probably rank second among the oil-producing countries of the world in 1931. It is now believed Venezuelan production has passed its peak. The producing fields of the Bolivar coastal district, along the east side of Lake Maracaibo, continue to be the principal source of supply. Such fields as Lagunillas, Mene Grande and La Pas were not produced to capacity throughout 1930. During the year, three new fields entered into commercial development: The Rio Tarra field in the District of Colon, State of Zulia; the El Mene de Salto field in the District of Acosta, State of Falcon and the Quiriquire field, District of Piar, State of Monagas. For 1930 the total crude production of Venezuela was approximately 137,424,000 bbl. as compared to 137,739,000 bbl. during 1929, or a decrease of 315,000 bbl. During the past year exports of crude from Venezuela amounted to 137,8.50,000 bbl. as against 130,044,000 bbl. exported during 1929. Crude oil in field storage decreased from 14,138,-000 bbl. at the beginning of 1930 to 9,600,000 bbl. as of Jan. 1, 1931— present crude stocks fill about one half the field tankage available. Drilling operations in the producing fields declined sharply but throughout the year there was maintained a satisfactory potential reserve in the shape of proven territory and closed-in producers. Of the 2555 wells which have been completed in Venezuela, 1571 wells were in production on Jan. 1, 1931. The status of these present producing wells may be classified as follows: flowing 652, pumping 170, gas-air lift 193 and closed-in 556. The ratio of closed-in wells to producing wells declined in 1930, while the number of wells produced by artificial means increased materially. In the Bolivar coastal fields there is now observed a marked decline in gas volume and well-head pressure. Lago Petroleum Corpn. and Venezuela Gulf Oil Co. each have under construction electric plants designed to generate power for pumping wells by electricity. The first units of these plants will be placed in conlmission in the early spring of 1931. Venezuela Oil Concessions, Ltd. has installed a number of stenrn-

Jan 1, 1931

By C. C. McDermond

In reviewing petroleum development in Venezuela during the year 1936, it is well to bear in mind certain factors that affected progress, although not directly connected with the oil industry itself. At the start of the year, when the present Federal Administration took over the reins of government, reaction against the former regime resulted in some popular uprisings. Although these were entirely political in character, they were not without their effect on the oil industry itself. Such popular agitation really ended with a short general strike in Caracas, Maracaibo and other cities during June, these strikes being based on demands for certain changes in government policies. The strikes were duly investigated and their motives taken into consideration by the executive power or by Congress, and during the year many of the civil, political and administrative laws have been revised. In June and December, however, it was necessary to suspend activities in drilling and production work, particularly in the Lake Maracaibo Basin area. In June a strike caused a five-day shutdown in the main producing fields and on Dec. 14 labor difficulties resulted in a shutdown that continued to the end of the year, which necessitated suspension of all drilling and production in the Lake Basin area and curtailment of shipments to deep-water terminals. Actually, the strike lasted for a period of 42 days, until Federal intervention brought the dispute to a close with minor wage increases to workers hut with no loss of initiative or independence on the part of the oil companies. Operations in eastern Venezuela were not affected by the labor disturbances, production and exports having been reduced in December only in the Lake Basin fields. Well Completions On Jan. 1, 1937, a total of 3384 wells had been completed throughout Venezuelan fields, as compared with 3094 on Jan. 1,1936. Of these wells, 2005 were producers. The 290 completions effected during 1936 were by the following operating companies: Lago Petroleum Corporation, 123 completions; Dutch Shell group, 104; Standard Oil Company of Venezuela, 46; Mene Grande Oil Co., 15; British Controlled Oilfields, Ltd., 2.

Jan 1, 1937

By Joseph A. Holmes

Although Venezuelan production attained a new peak in 1938, passing the 190 million barrel mark for the first time, there was a distinct flattening of the steep upward trend that marked 1937 and preceding years. The annual total of 190,231,780 bbl. was only 31/3 million barrels above the 1937 figure, an increase of slightly less than 2 per cent, which contrasts sharply with the 20 per cent increase of 1937 over 1936. As in the previous year, the Lake Maracaibo fields supplied approximately 73 per cent of the oil produced, Lagunillas remaining the largest single contributor in spite of a 17 million barrel decrease in its annual output. Tia Juana increased its percentage of the Venezuelan total from 14.1 per cent in 1937 to 23.4 per cent in 1938; La Rosa showed little change with 13.7 per cent; Quiriquire in eastern Venezuela was also little changed with 13.2 per cent; Mene Grande, the only other field of real importance, declined from 7.7 per cent of the total in 1937 to 6.6 per cent for 1938. Two new fields, Temblador and Bachaquero, began actively to ship oil during the year, and by November were averaging 7600 and 10,000 bbl. per day, respectively. The former is in eastern Venezuela, and the latter is the most southern of the proven Lake Maracaibo fields. (A map of Venezuela was published in Volume 127 of the Transactions.) Table 1 gives a complete résumé of Venezuelan production by fields for 1937 and 1938, and shows that 1,685,575,663 bbl. had been produced to Dec. 31, 1938. The percentage contributed by each of the principal fields to this total is shown in Table 3, as well as their trends over the past several years. From these data it is apparent that the Maracaibo Basin is the principal source of Venezuelan production, and will probably continue to hold this position for some years. At the year's end 2657 oil wells were producing, of which 2425 were in western and 232 in eastern Venezuela; 36 per cent were on natural flow, 57 ppr cent were pumping, and 7 per cent were on air or gas lift. Out of 523 wells drilled, 507 producers were completed in 1938, five less than in the previous year and nearly 100 less than in 1929. These

Jan 1, 1939

By Joseph A. Holmes

Although Venezuelan production attained a new peak in 1938, passing the 190 million barrel mark for the first time, there was a distinct flattening of the steep upward trend that marked 1937 and preceding years. The annual total of 190,231,780 bbl. was only 31/3 million barrels above the 1937 figure, an increase of slightly less than 2 per cent, which contrasts sharply with the 20 per cent increase of 1937 over 1936. As in the previous year, the Lake Maracaibo fields supplied approximately 73 per cent of the oil produced, Lagunillas remaining the largest single contributor in spite of a 17 million barrel decrease in its annual output. Tia Juana increased its percentage of the Venezuelan total from 14.1 per cent in 1937 to 23.4 per cent in 1938; La Rosa showed little change with 13.7 per cent; Quiriquire in eastern Venezuela was also little changed with 13.2 per cent; Mene Grande, the only other field of real importance, declined from 7.7 per cent of the total in 1937 to 6.6 per cent for 1938. Two new fields, Temblador and Bachaquero, began actively to ship oil during the year, and by November were averaging 7600 and 10,000 bbl. per day, respectively. The former is in eastern Venezuela, and the latter is the most southern of the proven Lake Maracaibo fields. (A map of Venezuela was published in Volume 127 of the Transactions.) Table 1 gives a complete résumé of Venezuelan production by fields for 1937 and 1938, and shows that 1,685,575,663 bbl. had been produced to Dec. 31, 1938. The percentage contributed by each of the principal fields to this total is shown in Table 3, as well as their trends over the past several years. From these data it is apparent that the Maracaibo Basin is the principal source of Venezuelan production, and will probably continue to hold this position for some years. At the year's end 2657 oil wells were producing, of which 2425 were in western and 232 in eastern Venezuela; 36 per cent were on natural flow, 57 ppr cent were pumping, and 7 per cent were on air or gas lift. Out of 523 wells drilled, 507 producers were completed in 1938, five less than in the previous year and nearly 100 less than in 1929. These

Jan 1, 1939

By Fred H. Kan

The production of petroleum in Venezuela during 1931 was approximately 118,767,000 bbl., a decrease of 18,904,000 bbl., or 13.7 per cent, compared with the previous year. This is the first break in production, which has risen steadily since 1920, and is attributable to restriction of output and drilling operations, in harmony with lessened demand, rather than to any real decline in potential production. Venezuela ranked third among the world's producers, having lost second place to Russia. The Bolivar coastal fields, which were extended approximately 14 miles southward during the year, continued to supply most of the oil. La Concepcion, Los Manueles and Quiriquire all showed marked increases. A new field of light oil was discovered on the north coast near Puerto Cumarebo, State of Falcon. Exports declined 15.7 per cent, from 137,377,000 bbl. in 1930 to about 115,800,000 bbl. in 1931. Crude oil in storage at the end of the year amounted to 7,450,000 bbl., a decrease of 2,150,000 as compared with 1930. Tankage utilized is about 40 per cent of the available space. A drastic decline in drilling activity reduced the number of wells completed in producing areas from 401 in 1930 to 116 in 1931. Only three wells were drilled in the Lagunillas field proper, but, the amount of closed-in production and proven acreage gave assurance of a satisfactory potential output. Of the 1580 wells drilled to the close of 1931 in the producing areas of the Bolivar Coast, 631 were active and 853 were closed in; 96 had been abandoned. The status of the active wells at the end of 1931 was as follows: flowing, 331; pumping, 99; gas-air lift, 201. Producing wells closed in numbered 452; workovers, 8; totally inactive, 393. Lago Petroleum Corp. and Venezuela Gulf Oil Co. placed in operation the first units of their electric power plants, the former at Punta Gorda and the latter at Las Morochas, and are replacing steam power in their operations as rapidly as possible. Compressor stations were also installed for use in connection with air-gas lift operations. A considerable volume of gas was treated in gasoline extraction plants, the tail gas being recom-pressed and utilized together with natural high-pressure gas, for stimulation of production.

Jan 1, 1932

By H. Sherman

The general curtailment of activities, so marked in 1931, was continued and intensified in 1932 and although production was maintained at approximately the level of the previous year, 1932 was chiefly characterized by the virtual cessation of drilling in many of the proven fields, a further decline in wildcatting activities, particularly in the Maracaibo Basin, and the relinquishment of large blocks of unfavorably located acreage. A total of only 60 wells was completed during the year of which six were wildcats, while at the same time concessions aggregating approximately. 3,222,000 acres were renounced and reverted to the National Government. The maintenance of production at the previously established level was made possible through the large potential built up by drilling in previous years and by a gradual increase in pumping and gas-lift installations. Towards the end of the year there was a slight but perceptible tendency towards increased drilling in certain of the proven fields. Total production for the year came to 118,076,000 as compared to 118,418,000 bbl. for 1931, while exports amounted to 114,758,000 as against 116,683,000 bbl. in 1931. Table 1 shows production and exports and the average rate per day for the first half of 1932 as compared to the second half. Table 1.—Petroleum Production and Exports in 1932, Venezuela (Barrels of 42 Gallons) Production Rate per Day Export Rate per Day I January-June............ 61,943,000 1 390, 347 July-December.......... 56,133,000 305,071 50,788,000 276,022 Total.........,....... 118,076,000 322,612 114,758,000 313,546 During 1932 the number of active vessels comprising the Lake Maracaibo fleet of shallow-draft tankers was still further reduced, some being temporarily laid up and some transferred to service in other coun-

Jan 1, 1933

By Brandon H. Grove

In Austria's only producing field, at Zistersdorf, Erdoel Produktions-gesellschaft completed a single new producer, its well Gosting 6 coming in early in October for an average production of about 15 tons daily. For further testing within the proved part of the field this company's Gosting 7 was at the close of the year drilling in Pannonian strata at 760 m., and its Gosting 8 was rigging up. Outside of the proved area of the Zistersdorf field two further tests located on the Steinberg dome failed to find production in the known oil-bearing strata of the Sarmatian, and were deepened as wildcats into the Cretaceous Flysch. The first of these, Neusiedel 1, about one kilometer north of the known producing area, found oil in the Flysch beds at a depth of 1290 m. for an initial production of about 10 tons per day. The second test, Windisch Baumgarten la, is an old well previously considered a failure, which when deepened achieved a production of about 5 tons per day in the Flysch Inoceramus beds at 985 m. Neither of the foregoing wells is producing from a stratigraphically definable horizon, oil accumulation in the Flysch of this area being apparently controlled by tectonic breccias or related crevices.

Jan 1, 1937

By J. O. Nomland

Bahrein 'Island.—In 1936 the Bahrein Petroleum Co. continued drilling additional wells to further increase production. In all, 39 flowing wells have now been finished and five others are drilling. A second well has been deepened for prospecting the deeper horizons but has not been successfully completed as a commercial producer. In addition, a well has recently been drilled near the eastern limit of the producing area for edge-water observation. The present system places wells 3000 ft. apart in a rhombic grid, or about one well to 179 acres. The total production for the year was 4,644,635 barrels. It is expected that refinery capacity of 20,000 bbl. per day will have been completed by July, 1937. A new permanent and enlarged camp with office buildings is being built. A new hospital has been constructed and two additional medical men have been added to the staff. Saudi Arabia.—In eastern Saudi Arabia, the California Arabian Standard Oil Co. has continued with the program of prospect drilling started in 1935. After the gas encountered in Dammam well No. 1 had been successfully shut off, it was completed as a small flowing well of 51" gravity oil. Dammam No. 2, which had been started in 1935, tested 3840 bbl. of approximately 50" gravity oil from a depth of 2175 ft. Dammam No. 5, before being deepened for prospecting lower productive horizons, encountered a gas zone producing 30 million feet. Five other wells on the Dammam dome are in various stages of drilling or completion. Most of these have been located principally to outline the productive area and the various producing horizons of the structure. An extensive program of geological work is being continued. In June, 1936, a well was started on the El 'Alat structure about 25 miles northwest of the Dammam development. Although various tar showings have been reported, the well has not yet, at 2518 ft., reached the depth at which it has been thought that productive horizons might be encountered. A prospect well is being drilled by the Kuwait Oil Co. (jointly owned by Gulf and Anglo-Iranian Oil Companies) in the Sheikdom of Kuwait. The well is near Bahra, a few miles north of Kuwait Bay and about 240 miles northwest of El 'Alat. To date no favorable results at depth of about 6000 ft. have been reported.

Jan 1, 1937

By Guillermo Mariaca, Jorge Muñoz Reyer

As far as technology is concerned there has been no development in Bolivia during the year 1936, because the country, just emerging from the war with Paraguay, is only beginning to rebuild its economic foundations. Great steps, however, are being taken in order to secure a rapid and sound development of its oil resources, as follows: 1. The new Petroleum Law, which contemplates the problem of proration and conservation of natural resources, prohibiting the wasteful use of gas, and regulating the number of wells, their spacing and the permissible output per well, for each particular pool according to the conditions prevailing therein. 2. The creation of an official entity with the object of developing and exploiting a large petroliferous area. This entity has been called Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos (Y.P.F.B.), and the region assigned to it is all the sub-andean zone, which is approximately one hundred miles wide and borders the eastern part of the Oriental Andean range, from Argentine to Peru. It is said that drilling will be started immediately in various localities. At the present time a wide geological survey of part of the area is being made in order to find out which regions offer the best possibilities of commercial development. Y.P.F.B. has been authorized by the Government to draw up contracts with private companies for the exploitation of limited zones. Production The only company that has been producing in the country in 1936 is the Standard Oil Company of Bolivia, and only from two of its fields: Camiri and Sanandita. New wells were not drilled. During the first nine months of the year 12,762,958 liters (80,275 bbl.) was produced, 34,985 bbl. from the Camiri field and 45,290 bbl. from the Sanandita field. Reports for October, November and December are not yet available. The total for the year 1935 was 25,978,737 liters (163,388 bbl.).

Jan 1, 1937

By G. S. Hume

Production of petroleum and natural gas increased in Canada in 1939 principally because of new wells in Ontario and Alberta. Turner Valley The Turner Valley field, Alberta, yielded 7,456,000 bbl. of petroleum in 1939 in comparison with 6,703,548 bbl. in 1938, an increase of 11 per cent. Turner Valley now supplies 96 per cent of all petroleum produced in Canada (Table 1). The Turner Valley field (Table 2) has reached a position where it call supply much larger volumes of petroleum than the Prairie market is capable of consuming. The allowable production is under the jurisdiction of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Conservation Board of Alberta and the daily rate is set from time to time as warranted by the demand. During June the allowable reached a maximum of 27,000 bbl. a day. This, however, was a temporary situation due in part to the completion of a new British American Oil Co. refinery in Calgary capable of processing 5000 bbl. a day and with a storage capacity of about 100,000 bbl. The maximum consumption was reached during the harvest season with

Jan 1, 1940

By G. S. Hume

Production of petroleum and natural gas increased in Canada in 1939 principally because of new wells in Ontario and Alberta. Turner Valley The Turner Valley field, Alberta, yielded 7,456,000 bbl. of petroleum in 1939 in comparison with 6,703,548 bbl. in 1938, an increase of 11 per cent. Turner Valley now supplies 96 per cent of all petroleum produced in Canada (Table 1). The Turner Valley field (Table 2) has reached a position where it call supply much larger volumes of petroleum than the Prairie market is capable of consuming. The allowable production is under the jurisdiction of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Conservation Board of Alberta and the daily rate is set from time to time as warranted by the demand. During June the allowable reached a maximum of 27,000 bbl. a day. This, however, was a temporary situation due in part to the completion of a new British American Oil Co. refinery in Calgary capable of processing 5000 bbl. a day and with a storage capacity of about 100,000 bbl. The maximum consumption was reached during the harvest season with

Jan 1, 1940

By G. S. Hume

The largest development program in the history of Alberta was undertaken in 1941 in an effort to increase oil production. The drilling record is as follows: In Alberta there was the largest exploratory campaign for oil in the history of the Province, although drilling of wildcat wells was somewhat less than in the previous year. A great deal of geophysical work was done. This included three gravimetric and five seismic parties as well as a number of geological survey parties by the major oil companies and by the Geological Survey of Canada. Seismic work was done by one party in southern Saskatchewan. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. About 98 per cent of the total production comes from Alberta and the yield of the various fields is shown in Table 2. The greatest developments in Turner Valley have been in the north end. In 1941 about two miles of new productive area was proved by drilling, extending the field to a length of 20 miles. The wells at the

Jan 1, 1942

By G. S. Hume

The largest development program in the history of Alberta was undertaken in 1941 in an effort to increase oil production. The drilling record is as follows: In Alberta there was the largest exploratory campaign for oil in the history of the Province, although drilling of wildcat wells was somewhat less than in the previous year. A great deal of geophysical work was done. This included three gravimetric and five seismic parties as well as a number of geological survey parties by the major oil companies and by the Geological Survey of Canada. Seismic work was done by one party in southern Saskatchewan. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. About 98 per cent of the total production comes from Alberta and the yield of the various fields is shown in Table 2. The greatest developments in Turner Valley have been in the north end. In 1941 about two miles of new productive area was proved by drilling, extending the field to a length of 20 miles. The wells at the

Jan 1, 1942

By G. S. Hume

During the war years the drilling activity in Canada has been steadily increasing and still further increase is expected in 1945. The production of oil, which in the past has come largely from the Turner Valley field in Alberta, shows a decline since 1942, the peak year. New discoveries made in 1944, however, give promise of replacing the decrease from Turner Valley where the crude-oil production in 1944 was nearly 1,800,000 bbl. less than in 1942, but with an increase of 145,000 bbl. in natural gasoline, a product of great value to the war effort. A very considerable part of the decline in Alberta has been offset by new production of more than a million barrels in 1944 from the Norman Wells field, in the Mackenzie River area of the Northwest Territories. It should not be forgotten, however, that this is largely due to the Canol development, a war project, the future of which is dependent on many factors not connected with an ordinary commercial operation. The year 1944 has been the best in new discoveries in Alberta for all time. The discovery of a new deep field at Jumping-pound, 20 miles west of Calgary, with the hopc of a type of product similar to that of Turner Valley is the culmination of many years of effort to interpret the subsurface structures in relation to the complicated surface foothills faulting and folding. In this case the subsurface structure on the Paleozoic limestone was inferred from geological investigations but precisely defined by seismograph. In addition to Jumpingpound the discovery of oil of 34.5 gravity at a depth of less than 5000 ft, in the Devonian of the Plains at Princess, 125 miles east of Calgary, is of great significance since this is the first substantial production from the Devonian in Alberta, although previously some oil had been obtained at two places from the Devonian in the foothills. The effect of this discovery is already apparent in the number of wells now drilling to the Devonian in the southern Plains. In southern Alberta a new producing area has been found in a Lower Cretaceous sand at Barnwell, a few miles west of Taber. Also, at Conrad, 20 miles southeast of Taber, an important new discovery has been made at a depth of about 3000 ft. in a sand in Jurassic shales, in a strali-graphic trap on the northeast flank of the Sweetgrass arch. In northeast Central Alberta an important extension has been found in the Lloydminster area, where only a few wells have so far been drilled. A new well 3 1/2 miles south of the previous producers found a coarser sand at the productive horizon and as a result will have an increased daily yield. At Blackfoot, 9 miles west of Lloydrninster, a new producing area in the Lower Cretaceous may have been discovered at a depth of 2004 ft. At the end of 1944 the well was being tested. Forty-four unsuccessful wildcat wells were drilled in Alberta in 1944. The decline of Turner Valley, the major producing field, was anticipated at the beginning of the war and in an effort to offset this and encourage new development the Dominion Government put into force tax concessions and other measures that,

Jan 1, 1945

By O. C. Wheeler

The slackening of activity in oil development in Colombia, which was noted in 1931, continued throughout 1932. In the producing fields output was further curtailed and active operations were substantially reduced. Exploratory work was at the lowest level reached in a good many years. Applications and Contracts for New Concessions The areas covered by the four applications accepted by the government in 1931 for concessions on national lands were not finally awarded the applicants, although the indications are that these will be granted during the coming year. iln application of Sr. Luciano Restrepo for a concession of 49,232 hectares located on the north side of the Sogamoso River in the Municipality of Bolivar, Department of Santander, was accepted by the Government toward the end of the year. The Government is expected to take action toward granting or denying this concession during 1933. The Richmond Petroleum Co. (Standard Oil Co. of California subsidiary) leased from Manuel Davila P. and Eduardo Villar a private tract known as the Fierro Arriba and Fierro Abajo lands located in the municipality of Victoria, Department of Caldas, near Honda. The terms of the lease provide for a cash rental and royalty. The company is allowed 10 years in which to start exploratory work. The lease covers a period of 15 years and is subject to renewal by periods of similar duration. Richmond Petroleum Co. The Richmond Petroleum Co. finally abandoned its Repelon No. 3 at 4312 ft., owing to drilling difficulties. No new hole was made on this well during the year. This was the only active drilling project in the country outside the Tropical Oil Company's concession, and with its abandonment all wildcat activities in the country ceased. South American Gulf Oil Co. This company did no drilling on its Colombian properties during the year. As in the preceding years, small amounts of oil, of no commercial

Jan 1, 1933

By O. C. Wheeler

During 1938, Colombia witnessed greater activity in oil prospecting and development than in any previous year in its history; more wells were drilled, more potential production established, more geological and geophysical work was accomplished, and more leases and concessions were acquired. Many companies, including the Texas, Socony Vacuum, Richmond (subsidiary of the Standard Oil of California), the Shell, and Tropical, contributed to this activity. Probably the most noteworthy development was in connection with the Barco Concession, which forms part of the Maracaibo Basin in eastern Colombia, adjacent to the Venezuelan frontier. There a great deal of preparatory work was accomplished in addition to camp and other construction, 20 producing wells were drilled and work was begun on the construction of a 12-in. pipe line to transport the oil to the port of Covenas, a distance of 260 miles. It is reported {hat 58,000 bbl. daily initial production was established during the year and is awaiting an outlet through this pipe line. Leasing and exploratory operations in Colombia continued active throughout the year; applications were made for concessions covering more than 1,100,000 acres of national lands and, in addition, leases were taken up on large areas of privately owned lands. Under Colombian law

Jan 1, 1939

By O. C. Wheeler

During 1938, Colombia witnessed greater activity in oil prospecting and development than in any previous year in its history; more wells were drilled, more potential production established, more geological and geophysical work was accomplished, and more leases and concessions were acquired. Many companies, including the Texas, Socony Vacuum, Richmond (subsidiary of the Standard Oil of California), the Shell, and Tropical, contributed to this activity. Probably the most noteworthy development was in connection with the Barco Concession, which forms part of the Maracaibo Basin in eastern Colombia, adjacent to the Venezuelan frontier. There a great deal of preparatory work was accomplished in addition to camp and other construction, 20 producing wells were drilled and work was begun on the construction of a 12-in. pipe line to transport the oil to the port of Covenas, a distance of 260 miles. It is reported {hat 58,000 bbl. daily initial production was established during the year and is awaiting an outlet through this pipe line. Leasing and exploratory operations in Colombia continued active throughout the year; applications were made for concessions covering more than 1,100,000 acres of national lands and, in addition, leases were taken up on large areas of privately owned lands. Under Colombian law

Jan 1, 1939

By O. C. Wheeler

The total oil production from Colombia during 1939 amounted to 23,774,151 bbl., constituting a new high record. Of this amount the Tropical Oil Co. produced 22,374,151 bbl. from its De Mares concession and the Colombian Petroleum Co. produced 1,400,000 bbl. from its Barco concession beyond the eastern Andes. The Socony Vacuum Oil Co. produced a small amount of crude from its Las Monas wells north of the Sogamoso River in the Magdalena Valley for consumption on its own property, but this is not included in the figures given above. The South American Gulf Oil Co. provided the outstanding development in the country by the completion, late in the year, of its 12-in. pipe line from the Colombian Petroleum Company's Barco concession to the coast at Covenas. This was a notable accomplishment, achieved in the face of tremendous natural obstacles. With the completion of this line there are now two crude-oil outlets from the interior of Colombia to the coast, the other being the Andian National Corporation's line down the Magdalena Valley from Barranca Bermeja. The Barco property becomes the second major producing area in Colombia. The acquisition of prospectivc oil lands continued at about the same level as during the prcvious year. Most of the lands taken up or applied for had their subsurface rights vested in the National Government. Relatively little interest was taken in the leasing of privately owned lands. Tropical surrendered its Putana concession on the Sogamoso River after finding it to he nonproductive. The status of applications for National lands that had been accepbed or on which concession contracts had been awarded at the end of the year is shown in Table 3. In the Magdalena Valley wildcat drilling in the search of new fields was conducted to the east of Puerto Berrio by the Compania de Petroleo Shell de Colombia, Compania Coloinbiaila de Petroleos El Condor and by the Sociedad Nacional del Carare; further down the valley to the cast of Puerto Wilches, the Socony T'acuum was drilling two wildcats. No discoveries resulted from this exploratory work. On the Barco conces-

Jan 1, 1940