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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 36 (1952)

Issue: 6. (June)

First Page: 1058

Last Page: 1062

Title: Developments in Ohio in 1951

Author(s): Robert L. Alkire (2)

Abstract:

The sharp decline in gas well drilling which began in 1950 continued through 1951. Two discoveries near the close of the year give promise of more successful gas development during the coming year. Total wells drilled amounted to 1,061 of which 626 were producers and 435 were dry. No new oil pools of note were discovered.

The lack of significant gas discoveries during 1951 resulted in a continued decline in the total wells drilled in this category. Two discoveries near the close of the year, one in the city of Wooster, Wayne County, and the other in Belpre and Watertown townships, Washington County, give promise of more successful gas operations during the coming year. Ten hundred and sixty-one wells were reported completed in 45 counties during 1951. Discoveries amounted to 142,611,000 cubic feet of gas and 9,956 barrels of oil initial per day. These were derived from 240 gas wells drilled in 34 counties, 315 oil wells in 30 counties, and 71 combination wells in 15 counties. Forty-one per cent, or 435 of all wells drilled, resulted in dry holes. Total footage drilled amounted to 2,083,838 feet. Of thi , 552,319 feet discovered gas, 500,915 feet found oil, 174,271 feet produced both oil and gas, and 856,323 feet proved unsuccessful. The average depth of all wells drilled was 1,964 feet.

Thirty-seven per cent of all wells drilled were seeking Berea sand production. Thirty-seven per cent also tested the Clinton. Sixty per cent of all gas and 69 per cent of all oil discovered during the year were found in the Clinton sand.

The largest gas well reported during the year was completed by B. H. Putnam on the J. S. Lamp farm, Lot 66, Belpre Township, Washington County. The Oriskany sand was found from 4,080 to 4,116 feet and produced 750 MCF natural. After a 90-quart nitroglycerine shot it increased to 5,890 MCF. Initial rock pressure was 1,675 psi.

Sheffield Oil and Gas Company discovered the largest oil well of the year on the Lee Dugan farm, Section 18, Jackson Township, Knox County. The Clinton sand was found from 2,995 to 3,046 and yielded 55 barrels natural. The first 24 hours after a 20-quart shot, it produced 300 barrels.

The most active counties were Ashland with 145 wells completed, Perry and Washington with 88 each, Coschocton 79, Noble 65, Holmes 58, Monroe and Knox 52 each, and Medina 51.

The four leading counties in gas discoveries were: Perry, 16,135,000 cubic

End_Page 1058------------------------------

Fig. 1. Areas of drilling activity during 1951.

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feet per day initial; Medina, 13,681,000; Holmes, 13,329,000; and Coshocton, 11,980,000. Coshocton County led in new oil discovered with 3,290 barrels per day initial. Following Coshocton were Ashland with 1,165 barrels, Licking with 1,066, and Knox with 1,003 barrels.

Exploratory drilling results during the year were discouraging. Of the 32 wells in this category 26 were dry holes.

Approximately 1,900 acres were proved as the result of 3 new gas-pool discoveries. These are as follows.

1. Northwestern Jefferson Township, Tuscarawas County, 5 gas wells and 1 dry hole in the Berea sand proved 400 acres. Average initial open flow was 820 MCF, rock pressure 385 psi, and depth 955 feet. The discovery well was the Stone Creek Brick Company's Marsh No. 1 in Lot 30.
2. A Newburg sand pool was discovered by the Ohio Fuel Gas Company's Spreng

Table I. NEW OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION DISCOVERED DURING 1951, BY COUNTIES

End_Page 1060------------------------------

No. 1, Section 29, Knox Township, Holmes County. Four productive wells averaging 1,024 MCF, 776 psi, and 2,417 feet, proved 800 acres.
3. Six gas wells in the Clinton sand in southwestern Worthington Township, Richland County, averaged 1,862 MCF, 914 psi, and 2,458 feet. Approximately 700 acres were proved. The discovery well was the Fierbaugh and Lyons' Morgan No. 1 located in Section 30.
4. The possibility of a major new field may result from two discovery wells drilled in Washington County. These wells are located in Belpre and Watertown townships, nearly 20 miles apart. No estimate of the importance of these discoveries can be made until further development is completed.

Approximately 9,500 acres were proved as the result of extensions to older gas pools. The more important were the following.

1.--Southeastern Olive Township, Meigs County, 13 Berea sand wells averaged 454 MCF, 690 psi, and 2,024 feet. Sixteen hundred acres were added.

2.--Northwestern Summit Township, Monroe County, 6 Berea wells averaged 45 MCF, 594 psi, and 1,880 feet. About 500 acres were proved.

3.--Seven Clinton sand gas wells and 1 dry hole added 600 acres to an old pool in northeast Granger Township, southwest and central Hickley Township, Medina County. The averages were 538 MCF, 670 psi, and 3,485 feet.

4.--In couth-central Hopewell Township, Perry County, 4 Clinton sand wells added 500 acres to an existing. The averages were 425 MCF, 636 psi, and 2,980 feet.

5.--Four gas wells, 3 oil wells, and 4 dry holes drilled in northwestern Canaan Township, Wayne County, added 600 acres to an old pool. Production was found in both the Newburg and Clinton sands at an average depth of 3,070 feet.

No new oil pools of note were discovered during the year. The principal areas of extensions are as follows.

1.--Forty-one oil wells completed in the Clinton sand in New Castle Township,

End_Page 1061------------------------------

Coshocton County, averaged 64 barrels initial. Approximately 500 acres were developed and 200 acres proved. The largest well was the Preston Oil's Daliere No. 4 which produced 193 barrels the first 24 hours after shot.

2.--Approximately 300 acres were developed by 7 wells in the Clinton sand in Perry Township, Coshocton County. The area is so spotty that no acreage is considered proved. Average initial was 38 barrels.

3.--In Washington Township, Holmes County, 7 wells averaged 40 barrels in the Berea sand at 700 feet and developed 100 acres and proved about 100 more.

4.--One hundred forty-five Berea sand wells were drilled in Ashland County during the year. Eighty-one produced oil and developed approximately 250 acres. The Berea is primarily a channel deposit in this area so that almost every new location must be drilled to be proved.

Six sub-Trenton wells were drilled. The deepest was the Benedum-Trees' Corlett No. 1, Lot H, Lenox Township, Ashtabula County. The St. Peter sand was found from 5,975 to 5,993 feet and contained salt water. Siliceous dolomite occurred from 5,993 to 6,186 feet, the total depth. The Lancaster Gas Works' Brown No. 1 located in Section 3, Amanda Township, Fairfield County, encountered salt water and a showing of oil in the St. Peter at 3,263 feet. Analysis of the samples below the base of the Trenton limestone has not been completed for these two wells so it is not known if they are geologically important.

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