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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 43 (1959)

Issue: 6. (June)

First Page: 1144

Last Page: 1160

Title: Developments in Pennsylvania in 1958

Author(s): William S. Lytle (2)

Abstract:

The attention of the Pennsylvania oil and gas producers was directed to 5 completions out of numerous significant wells completed in the state during 1958 in deep (Middle Devonian or older) formations. Pennsylvania's first offshore well in Lake Erie on Block No. 1 found 200 MCF of gas per day with a rock pressure of 510 psi in 24 hrs. after fracturing the Medina section (Lower Silurian). The Joe Kardosh No. 1 in Crawford County became the first basement test in the state. Pennsylvania's first deep commercial oil producer, the Lewis Forro, Jr., No. 1 in Crawford County, was completed for 27 bbls. of oil and 300 MCF of gas per day from the Medina section. The deepest producer in the state, the Royal Rhodes No. 1 in Somerset County, found 3,100 MCF of gas per day after fract ring the Oriskany sandstone (Lower Devonian) at 8,420 ft. The fifth wildcat discovered the Seven Springs field in Westmoreland County. This well, the James S. Blair No. 1, had initial production of 3,663 MCF of gas, natural, from the Onondaga chert (Middle Devonian). During 1958 there were 2 successful new-field wildcats completed, 8 successful new-pool wildcats, including one found by drilling deeper an old well, and 5 successful outpost wells. Of the unsuccessful wildcats, 9 were new-field wildcats and 8 were new-pool wildcats. Four outposts were unsuccessful. The greatest number of deep development wells were drilled in the Rockton field in Clearfield County on the northwest flank of the Chestnut Ridge anticline. This field had 32 development gas-well completions during the year, exte ding the developed area to a total of about 11,000 acres. One hundred nineteen deep wells were completed in Pennsylvania in 1958, with a total footage of 827,443 ft. Six reactivated wells drilled 330 ft. Of the 119 wells, 75 were gas wells, 2 were oil wells, and 42 were dry holes.

Two new discoveries highlighted the shallow-sand (Upper Devonian or younger) territory of western Pennsylvania. The two wells discovered new gas pools in the Balltown and Big Injun sandstones in Westmoreland County. As in 1957 the secondary-recovery projects in the Bradford field and the development drilling in the gas fields dominated the shallow-sand drilling activity during 1958 which decreased from that of 1957. In all, 668 shallow-sand wells were completed. Of these, 258 were gas wells, 24 were oil wells, 46 were dry holes, and 5 were drilled for underground gas storage. Three hundred thirty-five were drilled in connection with secondary-recovery oil operations. In addition to the 668 new wells, 21 wells were deepened aside from the secondary-recovery oil operations, and 17 wells were deepened in connection with secondary-recovery oil operations. The total footage for the new and deepened wells was 1,511,911 ft.

Oil production decreased from 8,210,000 bbls. in 1957 to 6,471,680 bbls. in 1958. Proved oil reserves were estimated at 120,018,000 bbls. as of December 31, 1958. Gas production decreased from 107,004,000 MCF in 1957 to 104,974,000 MCF estimated, in 1958. The total footage drilled, both shallow and deep, was 2,339,684 ft.

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