CONSERVATION OF NATURAL GAS !N KENTUCKY ~ W1LLARO ROUSE JILLSON EXCHANGE OTHER BOOKS BY DR. WlLLARD ROUSE JlLLSON GEOLOGY Oil and Gas Resources of Kentucky, 1919. Geology and Coals of Stinking Creek, 1919. Contribution, to Kentucky) Geologij, 1920. Economic Paper, on Kentucky Geology, 1921. Production of Eastern Kentucky Crude Oils, 1921 The Sixth Geological Survey, 1921. Oil Field Stratigraphy of Kentucky, 1922. HISTORY The Coal Industry in Kentucky, 1922 BIOGRAPHY Edwin P. Morrow Kentuckian, 1922. VERSE Songs and Satires, 1920. THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL GAS IN KENTUCKY A GAS FIELD WASTE In this Eastern Kentucky well the driller is Wowing the "gas head" off. The well produced oil, which the driller wasted as "an experiment." THE i l^i Conservation of Natural Gas In Kentucky BY WlLLARD ROUSE JlLLSON B. S., M. S., Sc. D. Director and State Geologist of the Kentucky Geological Survey Illustrated with Forty-four New Photographs Maps and Diagrams FIRST EDITION JOHN P. MORTON & COMPANY INCORPORATED LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 1922 Copyright 1922 By WILLARD ROUSE JILLSON All Rights Reserved To My FATHER From whom I learned in youth the value of Patience and Perseverance this little book is dedicated CONTENTS Page Illustrations 9 Preface 11 CHAPTER I The Age of Waste 17 CHAPTER II Natural Gas Resources of Kentucky 26 CHAPTER III Our Natural Gas Industries 68 CHAPTER IV Trend of Critical Comment 103 CHAPTER V Natural Gas Conservation __124 Selected Bibliography 145 Index __147 ILLUSTRATIONS Page A Gas Field Waste Frontispiece 1. A Pipe Line Nearly on End - 18 2. Ignorance Resulting in Loss 21 3. A Gasser Correctly Closed In 24 4. Gas Pipe Line Construction in Timber 27 5. A Standard Drilling Rig .--28 6. A Taylor County Gasser 29 7. Natural Gas Pools and Pipe Lines (Map) 32 8. Location, and Decline Curves of Beaver Creek Gas Field 34 9. Location, and Decline Curves of Martin County Gas Field 38 10. Location, and Decline Curves of Win Gas Field 42 11. Location, and Decline Curves of Menifee County Gas Field - 48 12. Location, and Decline Curves of Meade County Gas Field 54 13. An Oil Field Waste 56 14. A Natural Gas Structure 60 15. Drilling for Gas with a Portable Rig 63 16. Preliminary Work on Gas Pipe Line 70 17. Up Hill, Down Hill, and On 71 18. Kentucky Produced and Imported Natural Gas 74 19. Central Kentucky Natural Gas Company's Pressure Plant 78 20. Eastern Carbon Plant in Operation 80 21. North View of Liberty Carbon Plant 84 22. Northeastern View of Eastern Carbon Plant- 86 23. Making Natural Gas Carbon Black 89 24. A Portable Drilling Rig . 91 25. Liberty Carbon Plant in Operation 93 26. Railroad Yard Liberty Carbon Company, Floyd County, Kentucky 95 27. A Portion of the Beaver Creek Gas Field (Map) 96 28. Not Bathing Repairing a Leak 98 29. Lowering a Twelve-Inch Line 101 30. Gas Line Construction in Johnson County 104 31. Not a Quarry A Pipe Line 106 32. "Blowing a Gasser" 108 Page 33. A Temple Hill Gasser "Closed In" 111 34. Gas Pipe Lines Must Cross Creeks 115 35. What the Consumer Does Not Know 125 36. Ready for the Gas Main 127 37. Where a Pipe Line Withstood a Washout 130 38. A "Closed In" Kentucky Gasser 132 39. A Twelve-Inch Gas Pipe Line Crossing the Kentucky River 134 40. Drainage vs. a Gas Pipe Line 137 41. A Menifee County "Booster" 139 42. A Gas Pipe Line Near the Big Sandy 141 43. Telephone Line and Natural Gas Pipe Line 143 AUTHOR'S PREFACE CONSERVATION is not a word to be dealt with lightly. Its implications are many, and its value frequently has to be accepted as good while con- tingent upon a future return. A practical application of conservation always necessitates an industrial readjust- ment, and this in turn generally brings about financial and business hardships for various individuals and cor- porations. The interests of a large community or group of communities have never been advanced except at the sacrifice of the few. In the natural gas problem the necessity for immediate conservation is perhaps more vividly apparent than in any of the other mineral resources. This is particularly true of the gas reserves of Kentucky. The really serious situation which has developed in our sister States of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania may be delayed in Kentucky if effective preservation measures are intro- duced at once. The matter is urgent. As in all regional problems of natural resource conservation, the actual co-operation of the individual producer and consumer, as well as that of the conservation-effecting agent, will be required if the best results are to be obtained. State Geologist of Kentucky. Old State Capitol, Frankfort, Kentucky. January 15, 1922. THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL GAS IN KENTUCKY CHAPTER I THE AGE OF WASTE At no time in the history of the world has the rate of industrial expansion been as rapid as during the past decade. This is especially true of the United States. The Northeastern and Middle West manufacturing regions of this country have literally been hives of industry. As might naturally be expected, the development of the mineral resources of the world and of the United States in particular has plunged ahead at an unprecedented rate during this period. Mining has been, in fact, a complement of our industrial growth. New manufacturing industries, as well as new kinds of manufacturing, have created new and increased markets, and an incessant demand for the basic crude minerals of this country. This has been true of coal, petroleum, gas, and the iron, lead, zinc and copper ores. The drain has been particularly severe at the same time on the forest resources of this country, especially the southern Appalachian region ; but this latter problem is outside the province of this discussion, though eco- nomically closely related to it. In the feverish haste of the mineral resource pro- ducers to supply an ever growing and gluttonous market on all sides, there has crept unheeded and unchallenged into the producing industries such practices as should not only shock our present day somewhat skeptical con- sciences, but cause us to anxiously contemplate the probable status of our national economic security in the not too far distant future. Certain it is that in the years to come our posterity will be forced to solve many difficult and entirely unnecessary mineral producing problems NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY because of our present day reckless extravagance. At the same time very greatly reduced supplies of mineral resources and their widespread substitution will become the rule. NATURAL GAS DEPLETION AT HAND Indeed the first day of natural resource diminution and hunger is at hand. Figures compiled for the entire United States show that the peak natural gas production of 795,110,376,000 cubic feet was reached in 1917. This great fuel resource, once considered an oil field liability, later an important by-product, and finally a household and industrial necessity, decreased 74,109,417,000 cubic feet or 9 per cent in 1918. Present indications are that the decline has continued on down through 1919, 1920, and 1921, though the exact figures to verify this statement are not available now. The situation during the last few years has become so acute that many industries using natural gas have been forced to abandon it. Domestic and industrial consumers in outlying sections have been forced to substitute coal, and in those municipalities located close to or within the great gas fields of the Appalachian region rates for pur- chase have been rapidly increased as the supply has waned. In such cities as Cleveland, Columbus, Cincin- nati, Huntington, Charleston, Wheeling, Ashland, Lex- ington, Louisville, and Pittsburgh there has already been introduced or is now in the process of introduction a sliding upward scale for the purchase of natural gas. Some conservation legislation has also been introduced in the Appalachian district to keep unused supplies of natural gas within the boundaries of the State in which it is produced. THE AGE OF WASTE 17 PETROLEUM RESERVES ARE LIMITED The interpretation of a special report recently com- pleted showing the petroleum reserves of the United States to be 9,150,000,000 barrels, indicates clearly that the pangs of severe mineral resource hunger will in all probability be felt in this industry between 1940 and 1950. The following passages excerpted from this report* allow but a single construction the imperative need of rigid economy and conservation: ". . . . the oil reserves of the country, as the public has frequently been warned, appear adequate to supply the demand for only a limited number of years. The annual production of the country is now almost half a billion barrels, but the annual consumption, already well beyond the half billion mark, is still growing. For some years we have had to import oil, and with the growth in demand, our dependence on foreign oil has become steadily greater, in spite of our own increase in output. It is, therefore, evident that the people of the United States should be informed as fully as possible as to the reserves now left in this country "The estimated reserves are enough to satisfy the present requirements of the United States for only 20 years, if the oil could be taken out of the ground as fast as it is wanted. Should these estimates fall even so much as two billion barrels short of the actual recovery, that error of 22 per cent would be equivalent to but four years' supply, a relatively short extension of life. . . . ' ' In the light of these estimates as to the extent of our supplies of natural petroleum, the committee points out the stern obligation of the citizen, the producer, and the Government to give most serious study to the more com- Press notice U. S. G. S. 12198, January, 1922. 18 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY A PIPE LINE NEARLY ON END The construction of a natural gas pipe line in Eastern Kentucky is attended with great difficulty, as this view shows. THE AGE OF WASTE 19 plete extraction of the oil from the ground, as well as to the avoidance of waste, either through direct losses or through misuse of crude oil or its products/' As the domestic supply of natural petroleum de- creases, prices for the many commodity necessities refined from it will increase materially and progressively. Throughout this country those industries and individuals making use of products refined from petroleum will be forced to meet the advancing cost. Such costs for many will be prohibitive. Substitutes -both good and bad will flood the market. Inferior makeshifts will no doubt depreciate the arts and many industries. The automo- bile and the industrial gas engine will in a large measure become relics, unless an adequate substitute for gasoline is produced and sold for a reasonable price. Large users of such necessary by-products as lubricating oils will find themselves confronted by a distinctly serious situation. COAL PRODUCTION Is WASTEFUL Conditions attending the development of the coal re- sources of Kentucky are strictly comparable to those found elsewhere in the recently exploited coal fields of the United States, and. will serve as an interesting example of our lawless prodigality. In the eastern and western coal fields of Kentucky there is much being done in the way of attempted coal production that honestly invites the most severe criticism. While it is true that most of the larger companies have operated their proper- ties from the start along the lines of the best engineering practice, it is known that hundreds have gone about the production of coal with little or no mining system at all. In many cases owners of small coal mines are entirely inexperienced in the coal producing business prior to 20 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY starting their new mining operations. In response to the unusual demand for the product, properties have 'been acquired and the new so-called operators have proceeded to produce coal from these new properties. The result has always been a long succession of mistakes and failures, since such operations are largely an experi- ment at every step. This deplorable condition of affairs has been particularly true of the small "one-horse' mines, and the wagon mines ; but many instances of much larger operations could be cited in both the eastern and western coal fields. Fallen-in entries, tumbled-down tipples, and brush covered railroad spurs are the common ear marks of the present day failure of this kind of coal mining. The ultimate results of such mining methods are obvious upon casual inspection. The experienced operator using systematic methods calls it "ground-hogging" coal; but no term of derision is strong enough to adequately describe the practice. Without method or principle, the would-be operator removes that coal which is most easily obtained. He runs his entries in all directions, and generally has no mine map to show what amount of coal he has moved and what remains to be operated. His rooms are of all sizes, shapes, and descriptions, generally untimbered, with slate and coal "gobbed" at the right or the left, as has suited best his present convenience. Mine water has been given little if any attention, and not infrequently whole rooms are drowned out and abandoned long before they are completely mined. In the end this kind of coal mining leaves not infrequently 50 to 75 per cent of the coal in the ground as pillars, walls, partly cut, drowned out and unmined units. THE AGE OF WASTE 21 When he has brought his property into this state of chaos, the untrained operator generally abandons it, and turns to virgin properties for a repetition of the same performance. The coal remaining in such abandoned properties generally is, or will be within a few years, beyond recovery. Due to the softening effects of mine water, roofs will have fallen in, pillars will have collapsed, and other conditions developed which will make the future operation on any such property not only extremely IGNORANCE RESULTING IN LOSS This well which is located in Clay County was an excellent gasser. It was left without proper casing and tubing. Salt water softened a shale at some depth and it caved in, ruining the hole and shutting off the gas. hazardous and expensive, but quite impossible from a commercial standpoint. Instead of mining practically all of his coal as engineering methods allow, he has left a very large percentage in the ground. This portion, whatever it amounts to, has been lost to the world for all time. It has been deliberately wasted ! 22 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY IGNORANCE PRODUCES OIL LOSSES In Kentucky's oil fields, the same kind of wasteful operator may be found at every hand. With nothing better to do, he organizes an oil company and starts to drill wells without any idea as to the geological or drilling problems which he must encounter. He is almost certain to drill through the oil sands "by mistake," allowing the oil in many cases to drain away into porous strata below, or the salt water of underlying strata to find its way up into the oil sand. Any of these practices operate to bring ruin on the property. If continued over a number of adjoining productive leases they will endanger the life and pro- ductivity of the field by dissipating the oil in the sand. In the terms of the driller, such practices bring about a "drowning out" of the petroleum. The inexperienced operator, if he strikes gusher oil, is generally not pre- pared to save it, and in any event will lose much at the casinghead. Not infrequently he will tank it in an open tank for several months or years, while he is making a shift to get a pipe-line connection, and occasionally loses it by fire or other disaster before he can run it into a line. If the first well is a small producer, he will frequently abandon it, as he thinks temporarily. In the meantime water will take possession of it and ruin its productive qualities. If he has developed gas in small quantities with his oil, he will let the well blow open, thinking that by reducing the rock pressure of his gas he will increase at the same time the flow of the oil. He very seldom obtains the selfish results desired, however, but does generally succeed in disrupting the proper relationship of gas and oil reserves of his own lease. His practices also tend to work havoc with the properties of adjoining THE AGE OF WASTE 23 leases, and frequently the entire field. Instead of setting up such forces in the oil "sand" as might result in an increased accumulation of commercial petroleum, he not infrequently develops a greater tendency toward petroleum dissemination. This ultimately results in mak- ing the field less commercial and less productive than at the time the well was drilled in. When it is taken into consideration that between 50 per cent and 80 per cent of all the oil originally in the "sand" will remain in the ground after present producing methods have been exhausted, the total loss, including that induced by ignorance and folly, is very great indeed. Irregularity of pumping any group of wells in an oil field will induce the pasting up of the oil sands with natural waxes to such an extent that wells so attended will naturally fall off gradually in their production. In abandoning his property, if it is not a large producer, many an operator has pulled the casing and failed to plug the water and oil sands. The result of this unlawful practice, as might be cited in some of the Knox County, Kentucky, fields, has been to fill the oil sands with water. The oil which these sands contained is slowly but surely driven out of commercial pools under the water pressure, and widely disseminated through new and unknown regions adjacent. Wherever this oil spoliation has taken place the present generation may be accused of a wanton mineral resource waste, the great value of which it is quite as impossible to estimate as it is to recover. NATURAL GAS WASTE STATEWIDE The natural gas fields of Kentucky are well acquainted with the reckless operator. In this State hundreds of excellent gas wells have been drilled in eastern, western 24 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY and southern Kentucky, and have been allowed to return unused their priceless treasure to the atmosphere. Notable examples of this practice, which it is true in recent years has been somewhat corrected, occur in the A GASSER CORRECTLY CLOSED IN Although the drilling rig is still at this location, the driller has already got his well "closed in" and is saving the gas. Floyd, Johnson, Barren, Green, Taylor, and Grayson County gas fields. Some eastern Kentucky wells have THE AGE OF WASTE 25 been allowed in the recent past to blow open for years, and the guilty parties who have perpetrated an irrepar- able wrong not only against the field, but against the consuming public, have gone unreprimanded. The public in general has been slow to realize that natural gas exists, like all other material things, in a perfectly definite though largely an unknown quantity. All natural gas pools contain, could we but figure it, a cer- tain number of cubic feet of gas, and no more. When this amount of gas is used up or otherwise dissipated, it can never be replenished. It is a mistaken conception, but a common one, that natural gas fields will "come back," if they are not drawn upon for a while. Nothing could be more fallacious. Natural gas fields, coal fields, oil fields, and all mineral resources to which we may turn our hand in a time of need, exist in a certain amount, which can never be increased. We may use them care- fully, like the thrifty housewife, and extend their period of productivity over a relatively long time; or we may squander them recklessly, priceless as they are, much like the sailor in port. If we do the latter, we will find to our sorrow as a people that what we once thought was an unlimited mineral resource birthright, was in fact a very limited resource, quite susceptible of exhaustion by our modern methods of exploitation. CHAPTER II NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY The commercial production of natural gas in the State of Kentucky dates back to the year 1863, when the old Moreman well near Brandenburg in Meade County, Kentucky, was drilled. It was utilized in the manu- facture of salt from brines which were found associated with the gas in this and other wells in the Brandenburg district. For a number of years this Ohio River field was the only one of much importance in the State, but with the discovery of natural gas in large amounts in Ohio and West Virginia in the middle 80 's, increased activity at once set in, which resulted in the laying of an 8-inch transmission line from the Brandenburg field to Louis- ville. The metropolis of Kentucky, situated 30 miles to the northeast of this gas field, thus became the first large consumer, and the Kentucky Rock Gas Company, later the Kentucky Heating and Lighting Company, which supplied the natural gas, became the first public utilities corporation giving natural gas service. The development of the natural gas resources of Ken- tucky has been one of gradual rather than rapid increase. At least six rather distinctive periods may be noted in the growth of this industry. These are as follows : (1) (1750-1872) Period of no commercial develop- ment. From the time of early explorations in Kentucky up to and including the drilling in of the Moreman property, natural gas was known, its inflammable quali- NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 27 ties were recognized, but it lacked commercialization. (2) (1873-1892) Period of early commercialization of natural gas. Meade and Breckinridge* County gas fields chief source of supply. (3) (1893-1905) Period of wide- spread exploration. Development of large gas production in Martin County. Discovery of the Menifee County field. Initial declines of Meade and Breckinridge Coun- GAS PIPE LINE CONSTRUCTION IN TIMBER Before gas mains can be laid in the mountain region of Eastern Ken- tucky, timber-cutting crews must follow the line surveyed and clear away all trees and underbrush. ties. (4) (1906-1912) Period of eastern Kentucky natural gas exploitation. Drilling up of the Martin County field. Development of the Menifee County field ; gradual depletion of Meade and Breckinridge County fields to very small figure. (5) (1913-1917) Period of 28 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY importation from West Virginia and Ohio. Martin County becomes the chief developed source of Kentucky natural gas. Meade and Menifee Counties practically abandoned. (6) (1918-1921) Period of intensive develop- ment throughout Kentucky. Martin County still a small gas producer. Johnson, Breathitt, Floyd, and other counties become large producers of natural gas in Kentucky. , - A STANDARD DRILLING RIG This gas well is located on the Kentucky side of the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River in Martin County near Hermit, W. Va. Standard der- ricks are used in drilling for the deeper gas "sands." Up to and including the year 1890, Meade County was the only natural gas producing field of much importance in the State, and continued so until the opening of the Martin County field in 1893. The gas production from Martin County was not utilized, however, to any extent NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 29 until the laying of the United Fuel Gas Company's main transmission line up the Big Sandy Valley in 1905. Martin County increased its production rapidly until 1915, and from that date has decreased quite as steadily. A TAYLOR COUNTY GASSER The Green-Taylor County gas field northwest of Campbellsville is a large field of low rock pressure. The gas "sand" is a limestone. The Menifee County field was drilled up on an extensive scale in 1904, and was of considerable importance until about 1913, when depletion set in very rapidly. With 30 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY the depletion in the Meade, Martin and Menifee County fields a certainty, public utilities corporations in Ken- tucky were forced to make increasingly large importa- tions of natural gas from West Virginia and Ohio. It became apparent in 1917 and 1918 that the supply- ing limit of the Columbia Gas and Electric Company of West Virginia through the Kermit Station had been reached. Following leads established by a large number of indexing gas wells in Eastern Kentucky, an intensive drilling campaign was instituted in Johnson, Magoffin, Floyd, Breathitt and Knott Counties which has resulted in the development during the last four years of several gas fields of recognized importance in Eastern Kentucky. The chief of these from a standpoint of present com- mercial value is the Beaver Creek field in Floyd County. Close seconds are the Ivyton, Win, Red Bush, Flat Gap, and Frozen Creek gas fields in the eastern part of the State. During this same period, widespread drilling by petroleum ' ' wildcatters ' ' has resulted in the discovery of a large number of more or less isolated gas wells and gas fields in various portions of the State. One of the largest and most important of the several natural gas fields thus found is that which has been outlined in Green and Tay- lor Counties in central Kentucky. In the year 1921 commercial production of natural gas in Kentucky amounted to approximately 4,742,000 M cubic feet, valued to the consumer at $1,360,340.00. The consumption of natural gas in the State in the year 1918, the latest f or which figures are available, amounted to 12,200,190 M cubic feet, valued to the consumer at $3,093,393.00, and was about 300 per cent greater than the production. The total volume of natural gas con- sumed in Kentucky in 1921 was without doubt much greater than this amount. With an annual consumption NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 31 in Kentucky of such large amounts of natural gas, and a rapidly growing list of domestic consumers, which in 1918 totaled 90,849, an understanding of the natural gas reserves of this State becomes one of very great importance. A detailed consideration of the thirty-one separate gas fields of Kentucky, (1) developed and depleted; (2) partially developed and producing; and (3) indexed by discovery wells, but not commercialized, is given herewith : KENTUCKY NATURAL GAS POOLS. I. 1. Cloverport, Breckinridge Co 2. Diamond Springs, Logan Co. 3. Martin Co 4. Meade Co 5. Menifee Co 6. Monticello, Wayne Co 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. S. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. II. Barbourville, Knox Co Beaver Creek, Floyd Co Central City, Muhlenberg Co Elk Fork, Morgan Co Flat Gap, Johnson Co Frozen Creek, Breathitt Co Glasgow, Barren Co Green River, Green and Taylor Cos.-_ Ivyton, Magoffin Co Leitchfield, Grayson Co Prestonsburg, Floyd Co Redbush, Johnson Co ' Williamsburg, Whitley Co Winn, Johnson Co Gas pools of yester- day, old or aban- doned. Gas pools of to-day, production used in Kentucky towns and cities. III. Hiseville, Barren Co Island Creek, Owsley Co Meredith, Grayson Co Mize, Morgan Co Newcombe Creek, Elliott Co Oneida, Clay Co Penrod, Muhlenberg Co Sparta, Gallatin Co Gas pools of to- morrow probably of commercial im- portance, but size undetermined. Un- Rock Fork, Knott Co [ connected by pipe Sexton Creek, Clay Co. Temple Hill, Barren Co. lines. 32 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 33 FROZEN CREEK GAS FIELD (1) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in north-central Breathitt, near the Wolfe County line. The nearest town is Taulbee. The wells are drilled along Negro, Sulphur, and Clear Creeks, all branches of Frozen Creek. GEOLOGY The natural gas found here occurs in the upper part of a small dome, the axis of which runs about 20 degrees north of east, and with its approximate crest about one mile up Negro Fork of Frozen Creek. Produc- tion is secured in the Corniferous (Devonian) limestone at about 1,800 feet. Structural maps of Breathitt County showing this dome have been published by the Kentucky Geological Survey. HISTORY The first well was drilled in the field by the Big Six Oil Company in September, 1918. Its open flow was 3,500,000 cubic feet, and its rock pressure 525 pounds. A second well was drilled in November. During the following year two more wells were drilled, and efforts made to market the gas. In June, 1920, a contract was made with the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Company, and preparations to connect with the main line of this company were begun. By the winter of 192Q-1921 a 10-inch line was com- pleted, and deliveries of gas started. By that time ten wells had been drilled, of which five were dry holes. The total open flow developed was 18,000,000 cubic feet, and the average rock pressure about 525 pounds. The largest well came in at 7,875,000 cubic feet, and the smallest at 300,000 cubic feet. The eastern and southern edges of the producing area have been defined. No data on deliveries to date is available. 34 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 35 BEAVER CREEK GAS FIELD (2) GEOGRAPHY The Beaver Creek Gas Field is located in Floyd County. Beaver Creek, a tributary of the Big Sandy River, flows through it and gives it its name. Maytown, on a branch line of the C. & 0. B. R., is located in the heart of the pool. The wells are drilled along Right Fork of Beaver Creek from Maytown south to the mouth of Goose Creek, and along Henry's Branch and Wilson, Turkey, and Goose Creeks and their tributaries. GEOLOGY The principal structural feature of this region is a rather pronounced anticline. Gas has accumu- lated on the small terraces and domes forming a part of this structure. Production has been secured from the Salt (Pennsyl- vanian), Maxon, Bradley, and Berea (Mississippian), and Corniferous (Devonian) "Sands," which occur at about 600, 900, 1,100, 2,000, and 2,500 feet respectively. The greater part of the gas is secured from the Maxon in the northern and central parts of the field, and from the Bradley in the southern. All of the gas producing horizons are lenticular. Wells drilled 1,500 feet apart show wide differences in thickness, and porosity of the sands. In fact, one 2,000- foot well drilled only 800 feet from a good well in the Berea sand, showed not a trace of Berea. Drilling results are very erratic, and costs are correspondingly high. HISTORY The first well in the Beaver Creek region was drilled at the mouth of Salt Lick Creek in 1891. It produced oil. The first gas well drilled in this field began in 1895, and a half dozen wells were put down in scattered locations in the next decade. In 1918 several companies were formed to develop the field, and drilling began; in earnest. By the end of that year a total open flow, old and new, of about 20,000,000 cubic feet had been NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY developed. During 1919 other wells were drilled, and during 1920 and 1921 an active drilling campaign has been waged. Most of the wells are in the Maxon Sand. The largest well in this sand of which authentic data is available had an original open flow of 3,600,000 cubic feet. The original rock pressure of this sand was about 250 pounds. Good producers are still being drilled into this sand, but their decline is very rapid, and salt water has appeared in several parts of the field. A few wells in widely separated parts of the field secured production in the Berea. The size of the wells in this sand range from 250,000 to 3,000,000 cubic feet, and their original rock pressure was 535 pounds. Recently several large wells have been secured in the southern part of the field in the Bradley Sand, one hav- ing an open flow of 12,000,000 cubic feet, and others having more than 5,000,000 cubic feet. This area, how- ever, is comparatively small, being already practically outlined by dry holes. Production from the Salt sand is not regarded as of commercial importance because of the rapid encroach- ment of saltwater. Due to the fact that the natural gas development of this field has been and still is in the hands of several different companies which has allowed only a portion of the available open flow to be drawn on, reliable estimates of the gas reserves of this field have been difficult to make. The results obtained from some of the wells as given hereafter show the field to be spotted, though capable of affording a large supply of natural gas from many wells of medium size and a few wells of rather large capacity. In 1918 a carbon black plant was erected near May- town, and began using gas in June. Wells having an NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 37 open flow of 7,000,000 cubic feet were connected, and delivered 1,500,000 to 2,500,000 cubic feet per day, but declined in delivery so rapidly that one and two rigs had to be kept drilling continuously. By August, 1920, wells having an original open flow of 10,000,000 cubic feet had been connected, but could only deliver 1,250,000 to 1,750,000 cubic feet per day, while the rock pressure of most of the wells in the Maxon had declined from 250 to 150 pounds, a fall of 40 per cent in rock pressure, and 60 per cent in proportionate deliveries. By the spring of 1921 these wells were furnishing less than 1,000,000 cubic feet per day, with 1 pound at the carbon plant. In 1920 a compressor station was erected at Maytown by the Pennagrade Oil & Gas Co., and a line built con- necting the field with the main line of the Kentucky Pipe Line Company at Sitka. Four wells in the Maxon with an open flow of 7,500,000 cubic feet and an average rock pressure of 240 pounds, and one well in the Bradley with an open flow of 2,375,000 cubic feet and a rock pressure of 372 pounds were connected in December, and deliveries began. Maximum daily deliveries were 1,750,000 cubic feet per day for a few weeks. By April, 1921, deliveries had decreased to 875,000 cubic feet or 50 per cent of the original. The open flow of the Maxon wells had decreased 62 per cent to 2,890,000 cubic feet and their rock pressure 46 per cent to 130 pounds. The Bradley Sand well had fallen off 89 per cent to 260,000 cubic feet, and its rock pressure 76 per cent to 90 pounds. In May, 1921, this well was flooded out by salt water, and after being properly plugged was abandoned. A second carbon plant was erected in 1920 in the southern part of the field, and placed in operation in November. The plant has a capacity of 3,000,000 cubic NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 39 feet of gas daily. This plant has connected to it most of the wells in its portion of the field, and though not at the present running to full capacity, could rapidly exhaust what appears to be a most promising part of the field. MARTIN COUNTY GAS FIELD (3) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in east-central Mar- tin County on the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. Geologically it stretches over into West Virginia. War- field, Ky., and Kermit, W. Va., are approximately in the center of the gas-bearing area. The latter town is on the N. & W. R. R. GEOLOGY The structure here is anticlinal and the gas is found on a dome about eight miles long and four miles wide. Commercial production is secured from the Salt (Pennsylvanian), Maxon, and Big Lime (Mississip- pian) "Sands." A few Big Injun and Berea (Mississip- pian) wells also produced marketable amounts of gas. The Corniferous (Devonian) here is gas bearing, but there is so much hydrogen sulphide in the gas from this strata that it is not used. Drilling depths are from 750 to 1,500 feet. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsyl- vanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well was drilled in 1881. It was allowed to waste into the atmosphere for ten years, after which it was used by a carbon black plant until 1901,. when a pipe line was built from the field supplying Ashland, Catlettsburg, Ironton, and Huntington. Wells then making gas were connected up, and an active drilling campaign began. By 1907, 33 wells had 'been drilled, and an open flow of 48,250,000 cubic feet had been developed. The size of the wells ranged from 500,000 to 2,500,000, and the original rock pressures were 280, 470 and 565 pounds 40 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY respectively for the Salt (Pennsylvanian), Maxon and Big Lime (Mississippian) "Sands." Active drilling continued. In 1912 a pipe line was laid to supply several towns in Central Kentucky, in- cluding those formerly supplied by the Menifee County field. The following year a line was laid to Louisville, and a 2,200 H. P. compressor station was built at Kermit. Deliveries to Louisville began in February, 1914. The year 1914 marked the peak of the production from the Martin County field. By this time 92 wells had been drilled, and the open flow reached 90,000,000 cubic feet. Maximum deliveries were 18,000,000 cubic feet per day. From this time to the present deliveries have de- creased rapidly. The gas producing area was completely defined, and of 46 wells drilled in the next four years by one company, 21 were dry. In spite of the fact that the wells in the upper sands were drilled to the lower produc- ing horizons, the average rock pressure fell steadily. By 1917 it was necessary to rebuild two of the compressors at Kermit, so that they could take the gas at a lower suction. In 1918 several wells became completely exhausted and had to be abandoned. Although there were then connected 124 wells which had shown original open flow totaling 153,000,000 cubic feet, the combined open flow at that time was only 40,000,000 cubic feet, and the average rock pressure had declined to 150 pounds. Since depletion set in, pipe lines have been laid to other fields in West Virginia to supply the Kermit Station. The flow and rock pressure of the Martin County field has, however, continued to decline. The field is now regarded as practically exhausted, and is only supplying about 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 cubic feet per day. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 41 RED BUSH GAS FIELD (4) AND FLAT GAP GAS FIELD (5) GEOGRAPHY These fields are twins located in the northwestern corner of Johnson County and extending over into Lawrence County. Flat Gap Post Office is on the southeastern edge of the field and Red Bush Post Office on the southwestern flank. The field is crossed by Laurel Creek. The main lines of the Kentucky Pipe Line Co. and the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Co. run about six miles south of the center of the producing area. GEOLOGY The structure is a broad dome. Drilling results have been such as to indicate that the contours on the gas sand are not conformable with those on the out- cropping strata, and that the gas area may be smaller than was formerly figured. Production is secured from the Weir and the Berea (Mississippian) but principally from the latter ' 'sand. ' ' The Weir occurs at 575 feet and the Berea at about 700 feet below the surface. The sur- face rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well was put down in this field in the fall of 1917. It had an open flow of 500,000 cubic feet, and a rock pressure of 230 pounds. By the summer of 1918 four gas wells had been drilled and a total open flow of 2,250,000 cubic feet developed. The largest well made 900,000 cubic feet, and the smallest 300,000 cubic feet, and the rock pressure averaged 235 pounds. In July, 1918, a contract was made for the sale of this gas, and a line was laid connecting the field with the main line of the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Co. Deliveries were begun in December, 1918. This field is still putting gas into the main lines. The acreage is in 42 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY (o/6X NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 43 the hands of several different companies who have been unable to unite their interests. Development of the gas has been slow. Maximum deliveries have never been more than 1,250,000 cubic feet per day. Minimum deliveries much less. ELK FORK GAS FIELD (6) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in central Morgan County, and extends westward about two miles from the Licking River at West Liberty to Caney Creek. GEOLOGY The structure here is anticlinal with the gas apparently gathered about the crest of a small dome. The gas production comes from the Clinton (Silurian) "sand" which is reached at 1,500 feet. The surface rocks are Potts ville (Pennsylvanian), sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The wells of this field were originally drilled in search for oil, and the gas production so far developed has been incidental to oil operations. To date about 15 wells have been drilled, five of which made gas in excess of 100,000 cubic feet per day. Two of these made 5' :pOO cubic feet each. The rock pressure averages 425 pounds. These wells were connected to West Liberty five years ago. Although the population of this town is only 500, the company owning the wells has difficulty in maintain- ing the supply during the winter. While the field has not yet been completely drilled, it is evident that it will never be a producer of large commercial importance. WIN GAS FIELD (7) GEOGRAPHY This field is located on Mine Fork of Paint Creek on the Magoffin and Johnson County lines, 44 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY about four and one-half miles from the main pipe lines of the Kentucky Pipe Line, and the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Companies. GEOLOGY Production is secured on the top of the Mine Fork (Paint Creek) dome just south of the Paint Creek Fault. The producing area covers about three square miles. The gas sand is the Weir (Mississippian), 900 to 1,100 feet below the surface. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well was put down in this field in June, 1918, by the Bed Rock Oil Company. In the fall of that year a 250 H. P. compressor station was installed and the field connected with the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Company's pipe line. In the fall of 1919 a 450 H. P. compressor station was built by the Louisville Gas & Electric Co. and a second line built connecting the field with the pipe line to Louisville. A total of 35 wells, of which 30 were producers, had been drilled in this field up to the end of 1920. The largest well had an open flow of 2,000,000 cubic feet and the smallest 425,000 cubic feet, and the original rock pressure of the wells ran from 285 to 290 pounds. The open flow of the first twenty wells drilled averaged 850,000 cubic feet. The producing area appears to be defined, but there are about 12 to fifteen locations remain- ing, some of which will be drilled by the end of 1921. The total open flow of the Win Gas Field reached 18,000,000 cubic feet in January, 1920, at which time the maximum deliveries were 5,000,000 cubic feet per day. This was from 20 wells. Within three months, deliveries showed an appreciable decline and, although additional wells have been drilled and connected up, the total dropped steadily, until the field now averages 1,500,000 cubic feet per day. The present open flow is approxi- NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 45 mately 6,500,000 cubic feet, and the rock pressure 135 pounds. A total of about 2,000,000,000 cubic feet has been taken from the field to date. MIZE GAS FIELD (8) GEOGRAPHY This small field is located near Mize Post Office in the southwestern part of Morgan County, Ky. ' GEOLOGY The gas appears here to be on a small dome, only a few acres in extent. The Corniferous (Devonian) is the gas "sand" and is found from 1,250 to 1,300 feet below the surface. The rocks exposed at the surface are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well in this field was put down in 1917 as a test for oil. It came in at 800,000 cubic feet, and had a rock pressure of 272 pounds per square inch. By June, 1918, three producers and two dry holes had been drilled. The total open now developed was 2,800,000 cubic feet, and the average rock pressure 270 pounds. The largest well showed 1,500,000 cubic feet, and the smallest 400,000 cubic feet. Shortly after its completion the first well was con- nected to the drilling on the lease, and although only a few thousand feet of gas was used a month, it was drowned out by salt water in two years. Results obtained in drilling this field show it to be so small in extent as to be of only local value. IVYTON GAS FIELD (9) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in central-eastern Magoffin County, with its eastern edge almost against the county line. Ivyton, on the B. S. & K. R. R., is on the edge of the field. The wells are drilled along Burning Fork and its tributaries. 46 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY GEOLOGY The principal structure here is anticlinal, the gas area being located on a dome, the major axis of which runs about 30 degrees east of north, and the south- western end of which flattens slightly. Production is secured in the Weir sand (Mississippian). The pay streak averages about 15-25 feet in thickness, and drilling depths are 1,000 to 1,250 feet. One well in the field has been drilled 3,500 feet to the Upper Ordovician, but found no pay sands below the Mississippian series. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well was drilled in this field in 1919 by the Bed Rock Oil Co., in prospecting for oil. During 1920 five more gas wells were drilled, and at the end of this year an open flow of 11,000,000 cubic feet had been developed. In the early part of 1921 a 6-inch pipe line was laid from the field to Win, connecting with the line of the Kentucky Pipe Line Co., and in March deliveries were begun to Louisville. By September, 1921, about 25 gas wells had been drilled, and a total open flow of 25,000,000 cubic feet developed. The largest well showed 2,750,000 cubic feet, and the smallest 175,000 cubic feet. The rock pressure averaged 385 pounds. The southern, eastern and western edges of the field have been defined by the drilling of several dry holes. The total productive area appears to be about 2,500 acres. To October 1, 1921, less than 200,000,000 cubic feet have been taken from the field. For this reason, no reliable estimate of its probable life can be made, though it is to be regarded as a commercially important and very valuable natural gas field. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 47 MENIFEE COUNTY GAS FIELD (10) GEOGRAPHY This field is located near Rothwell, in Menifee County, at the end of a branch line of the C. & 0. R. R. The field is 8% miles long and 41/0 miles wide, and the total producing area covers 24 square miles. GEOLOGY The structure here is monoclinal. The slope rises from the southeast to the northwest at an almost uniform rate of fifty feet to the mile, with only two slight synclinal basins to mar its symmetry. Production is secured from a porous streak 25 feet thick in the Corniferous (Devonian) limestone. Wells are from 400 to 800 feet deep, averaging 500 feet. At the northwest end of the field the porous streak pinches out entirely. The southeastern and southern edges are saturated with salt water. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsyl- vanian), and Chester (Mississippian) sandstones, shales and limestones. HISTORY Gas was discovered in this field in March, 1904, the first well showing 500,000 feet at 452 to 478 feet. The rock pressure was 79 pounds. The following year a company was formed to develop the field, and in February, 1906, a line was laid to Mt. Sterling, Win- chester, and Lexington, and a compressor station was- built. By the middle of 1911, 1.15 wells had been drilled, of which 90 were gassers, and 25 dry holes. The largest well made 1,250,000 cubic feet, and the smallest 250,000 cubic feet. The average original rock pressure was 75 pounds. Maximum deliveries never exceeded 4,500,000 cubic feet. Early in 1912 the producing area was completely defined and drilled up, and with no new wells to be added, the deliveries began to drop rapidly. 48 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY B%s^^a^* "1. HP 3 s NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 49 By June, 1912, the open flow had fallen to 25,000,000 cubic feet, and the rock pressure to 60 pounds. Three wells had been drowned out by salt water, and the de- liveries were no longer sufficient to supply the towns connected. To meet this situation the West Virginia fields were connected, and since 1912 gas has only been taken from the Menifee field as an emergency relief in very cold weather. In 1920 the rock pressure was 25 pounds. Deliveries from the field practically ceased in 1918. In the summer of 1920 a trial was made of using the field as a storage field, but the results of the experiment are not known. ONEIDA GAS FIELD (11) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in northeastern Clay County near Oneida. The wells are drilled along Red Bird and Bullskin Creeks. GEOLOGY The structure here is anticlinal, but not enough data has been gathered as yet to make it possible to determine the exact structural characteristics of the field. A comparison of surface structure and results of drilling to date suggests a lack of accordance between the gas "sand" figure and that seen in the coals above. The gas "sand" is the Corniferous (Devonian), and is found at about 1,600 feet below the surface. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first well was drilled in this field in the spring of 1920 as a test for oil. It made 2,250,000 cubic feet ,of gas, and three other wells were then put down. By the end of 1920 these had been completed, and the total open flow was 11,000,000 cubic feet. The largest 50 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY well had an open flow of 4,000,000 cubic feet, and the smallest 1,500,000. The original rock pressure of all the wells was 350 pounds. As no market for the gas was available, drilling operations were stopped. In May, 1921, Well No. 1 had an open flow volume of 1,350,000 cubic feet, and a rock pressure of 310 pounds; No. 3 had an open flow of 780,000 cubic feet, and a rock pressure of 270 pounds. Well No. 4 had a volume of 475,000 cubic feet, and a rock pressure of 300 pounds. Well No. 2, originally quite as good as No. 1, caved in, due to inadequate casing, and was ruined. A number of wells have been drilled in the neighboring vicinity, all of which were unproductive. The field is evidently not a large one, though certainly one of value. WlLLIAMSBURG GAS FlELD (12) GEOGRAPHY This field is located at Williamsburg, Ky., in the center of Whitley County, a town of 2,000 inhabitants. It is reached by the main line of the L. & N. R. R. The Cumberland River bisects the town. GEOLOGY The structure here is a doming anticline, located nearly in the basin of the Eastern Kentucky Geo- Syncline. Pottsville (Pennsylvanian), Maxon, Big Lime, and Big Injun (Mississippian) "sands" are productive of natural gas. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales, and coals. HISTORY The first wells drilled in this section were drilled in 1902, and produced oil and gas from the shallow sand, the producing depths being from 300 to 500 and from 700 to 800 feet. These sands, it would seem, correspond to the upper sands in the Knox County fields, viz: Wages, Jones, and Epperson. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 51 In a recent drilling campaign, the Iroquois Oil & Gas Company tried to make some of these shallow wells into producers. Finding that this was not possible, they decided to drill the Adkins well deeper. It was finished at a depth of 1,381 feet and produced gas from two separate horizons. The top of the first sand was encountered at 1,155 feet and produced gas in this same streak to the depth of 1,180. The next gas was found at 1,365 to 1,370 feet. This well was gauged and found to be making 2,700,000 cubic feet, and had a rock pressure of 220 pounds. The pay "sands" correspond somewhat to the "sands" of Floyd County. The Big Lime is not encountered until after the bit has passed through these upper gas pays. The Big Lime is found to be from 350 to 380 feet thick in this section. Gas production in one well at a depth of 1,515 feet is possibly from Big Injun sand. PRODUCTION. Rock 1 Adkins No. l._ 2,700,000 220 Ibs. 2 J. Rose No. 1__ 2, 800, 000 220 Ibs. 3 E. G. Moss No. 1 1,900,000 180 Ibs. 4 E. G. Moss No. 2 400,000 5 Electric Light Plant 2,900,000 180 Ibs. 6 C. W. Rains 500,000 This gas at the present is being piped to Williamsburg for domestic purposes. 52 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY GREEN RIVER GAS FIELD (13) GEOGRAPHY This field is located partly in Green and partly in Taylor County. The producing area extends from Greensburg northeastward almost to Campbells- ville, and from Salome south to Ebenezer. The Green River passes through the field, and the Campbellsville branch of the L. & N. R. R. crosses it in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction. GEOLOGY A long anticlinal ridge comes into the field at the northeast and runs southwest until it flattens out in the big Kentucky geo-syncline which passes through the southern part of Green and Taylor Counties. Three smaller folds cross the main ridge almost at right angles. Most of the gas is found on the three domes formed by the intrusion of these cross folds. Gas is also found in the area along the main anticline between the domes, but in a smaller quantity. The gas "sands" are the Cornif- erous (Devonian) and the Saluda (Ordovician) lime- stones, here taken together about 40 feet thick, with 25 feet of pay sand. Drilling depths are from 400 to 600 feet. The surface rocks are limestones (St. Louis age) of the middle and lower Mississippian system. HISTORY The first gas wells in the field were drilled some years ago, when an effort was being made to extend the limits of a small oil pool found near Greensburg. Drilling was desultory until 1919, when the Green River Gas Company purchased most of the wells, and laid plans to market it. The following year connections were made to the towns of Greensburg and Campbellsville, three wells being used for this purpose. To date about 25 wells have been drilled, and an open flow of about 28,000,000 cubic feet developed. The size of the wells ranges from 225,000 cubic feet to 3,500,000 NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 53 cubic feet. The rock pressure averages 39 pounds. Not enough gas has been taken from the field to make it possible to estimate its depletion curve. MEADE COUNTY GAS FIELD (14) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in the extreme north- eastern corner of Meade County, along the L. H. & St. L. Railroad from Bartles to Long Branch, 35 miles south- west of Louisville. The best gas area at Long Branch is along the bank of the Ohio River and at Bartles is im- mediately adjacent to the town. GEOLOGY Production comes from two small domes on two roughly parallel cross folds running northeast from the Dry Ridge anticline which crosses the northern part of the county. The crests of these domes are near Long Branch and Bartles respectively. The gas "sand" is a 15-foot lens in the black Chattanooga shale (Devonian), and is about seven feet below the top of the shale. The black shale lies at 300 to 400 feet under the surface. A peculiarity of this field is that salt water appeared in all the wells, either at the time of drilling or very shortly thereafter. Some have been pumped for 35 years to keep them from sealing. The surface rocks are limestone of the middle and lower Mississippian system. HISTORY The first well in this field was drilled in 1858, and from that time to 1888 several wells were put down, and were used in making salt from the brine found in them. Commercial development began in 1888, at which time a company was formed to pipe the gas to Louisville. A line was completed in 1890. The largest well in the Meade County field came in at 2,000,000 cubic feet, with a rock pressure of 51 pounds. The highest initial rock pressure recorded was 64 pounds 54 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY POCK INDIANA KEINTUCKV MILE LOCATION OF MEADE COUNTY G A 5 F I E LD FLOW 5 $ 5 $ V \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ N % LOCATION, AND DECLINE CURVES OF MEADE COUNTY GAS FIELD (KENTUCKY-INDIANA) NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 55 for a well near Bartles, and the lowest 22 pounds for one in the same portion of the field. The average rock pres- sure was 50 pounds, and the average open flow about 500,000 cubic feet. Altogether about 100 wells were drilled by 1890. The producing area at Long Branch was completely outlined by non-productive wells, and that at Bartles fairly well drilled up. In 1890 the 30 best wells were connected to the pipe line. These wells when tested individually gave a total open flow of 10,000,000 cu'bic feet, and when all were flowing into the line the maximum deliveries were less than 2,000,000 cubic feet. Natural gas deliveries fell off rapidly, causing two 150 H. P. compressors to be installed in 1891. New wells were then drilled and old ones cleaned out and connected to the line, and deliveries increased until in 1904 they averaged 1,000,000 cubic feet per day. This marked the peak production. From this time on the rock pressure declined rapidly, and the use of compressors was finally discontinued. LEITCHFIELD GAS FIELD* (15) GEOGRAPHY The Leitchfield gas fiejd is located in the central portion of Grayson County in the immediate vicinity of the town of Leitchfield. The extent of the field has never been determined, but it is probably not a large field. The structural geology of the section indicates that it may be extended somewhat further to the east and to the west. GEOLOGY The gas is secured in porous strata of St. Louis (Mississippian) limestone at a depth of from 700 to 1,200 feet. The structure is a doming nipple on a great anticline, the major axis of which extends nearly * Geology of Oil and Gas in Grayson County, W. R. Jillson, Kentucky Geological Survey, Series VI, Vol. II, p. 183, 1921. 56 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY east and west. The surface rocks are of the Chester Series (Upper Mississippian) . HISTORY The first producing gasser in this field, now known as the "Old Leitchfield Well," was drilled about 1890, near the town. It produced between 5,000 and 10,000 cubic feet, and was subsequently abandoned. Several gas and artesian water wells have been drilled near Leitchfield. The best gasser of these is the Xerxes Hunter, No. 1, located on the northwest limits of the AN OIL FIELD WASTE This is an aid oil well in Western Kentucky. It was abandoned and never plugged. It has "been producing (wasting) oil for ten or fifteen years. town. About 100,000 cubic feet of gas from this well is being used daily in Leitchfield. It is reported to have had an original open flow of between 3,000,000 and 4,000,000 cubic feet. The W. S. Proctor is a commercial gasser, but its size is not known. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 57 HISEVILLE GAS FIELD (16) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in the northeastern portion of Barren County in the vicinity of Hiseville Post Office. The extent of the field is not definitely known, but it is not considered to be a large gas field. It is defined by several gas wells. The nearest main line railroad station is Cave City, which is located about 10 miles west. GEOLOGY The natural gas is secured beneath the black Chattanooga shale (Devonian) in the underlying limestone, probably of Devonian and Ordovician age. Individual wells are reported to be producing an initial maximum of 1,000,000 cubic feet open flow. No surficial indications of important gas structure are recognized in this field, and for this reason the gas accumulation is regarded as a pocket or crevice source. The rock pressure is about 75 pounds. The St. Louis (Middle Mississippian) limestones are found at the surface. HISTORY The first well in this field was drilled in the 90's in prospecting for oil. When gas was found, the territory was abandoned. About six wells showing gas have been drilled and plugged. The limits and capacity of the field are not known. GLASGOW GAS FIELD (17) GEOGRAPHY This gas field is located in and surround- ing the town of Glasgow, Kentucky, in Barren County. The extent of this field is not definitely known, but it is regarded as a relatively small field. GEOLOGY The natural gas of the Glasgow field is secured at depths ranging from 415 to 500 feet in an Ordovician limestone "sand," 105 feet beneath the Devonian shale. No large structure exists at Glasgow, and gas for this reason is regarded to be a pocket deposit. The surface rocks are the Warsaw limestones (Lower Mississippian). There are now fourteen wells drilled 58 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY producing gas and no dry holes. The largest well is the Powell gasser with an open flow of 500,000 cubic feet and a rock pressure of 150 pounds. The Sampson gasses has the highest rock pressure with 270 pounds, but its open flow is only 200,000 cubic feet. The total gas production of the Glasgow field now is 3,500,000 cubic feet open flow. HISTORY The Glasgow gas field was opened during the year 1921 by "wildcatters" prospecting for oil. DIAMOND SPRINGS GAS FIELD (18) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in northwestern Logan County on the L. & N. Railroad in the vicinity of Diamond Springs Post Office. The extent of the field, which is small, has been well defined by a number of old wells. GEOLOGY The natural gas of this field is found in the limestone beneath the Devonian black shale, which occurs on a sharp monoclinal dip to the northwest. The wells are approximately 700 feet deep. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvania!!) sandstones and shales, and Chester (Mississippian) limestones and sandstones. HISTORY Practically all of the wells in the Diamond Springs gas field are old wells, having been drilled in about 1910. CENTRAL CITY GAS FIELD (19) GEOGRAPHY This field is located closely surrounding Central City and Junction Point on the L. & N. and the I.C. Railroads. The wells are located close to the town and used for local consumption. The production is not large. GEOLOGY The gas of the Central City gas field is found in the Coal Measures in association with No. 8 coal. The structure has not been defined. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) . HISTORY The first productive gas well was drilled in the Central City region about 1910. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 59 PENROD GAS FIELD (20) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in the southeastern part of Muhlenberg County on Rocky Creek, between Rosewood, Penrod and Dunmore. GEOLOGY The surface rocks are Pottsville (Penn- sylvanian) sandstones, shales and coals. This gas field lies about two miles south of the Twin Tunnels fault, and is on the upthrow side of the fault, which is normal. The displacement of the break is unknown. Its direction is S. 86 E. The normal regional dip is almost due north. Gas pay sands are reported to be Pottsville (Pennsyl- vanian), and are found at a depth of about 700 feet. HISTORY The field is new and to date only four wells have been drilled. The first of these produced a small amount of gas and oil. The second showed about 300,000 cubic feet of gas and some oil. The last two wells pro- duced both oil and gas. Further testing is contemplated for the near future. NEWCOMBE CREEK GAS FIELD (21) The Newcombe Creek field is located in the southern- central portion of Elliott County, Kentucky. The nearest railroad station is Redwine on the North Fork Railroad, and is ten miles distant. The field is about four miles long and from one-half to three-quarters miles wide. GEOLOGY The gas of this field is found in the Wier and Berea sands (Mississippian) at a depth of about 800 feet. The structure is an elongated dome, the major axis of which is nearly north and south. A contour map of this structure has been published by the Kentucky Geological Survey as a part of Series V, Bull. I, Oil & Gas Resources of Kentucky. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales and coals. 60 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY NATUBAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 61 HISTORY Gas was first secured in the Elliott County field in 1917, and sporadic drilling has continued to date, with the result that there are at present four or five gas wells in this field which produced when drilled in between 250,000 and 1,000,000 cubic feet open flow per day. The gas is not commercialized. SEXTON CREEK GAS FIELD (22) GEOGRAPHY This field is located in northwestern Clay County on Sexton Creek, a northeasternly flowing tributary to the South Fork of the Kentucky River. GEOLOGY The structure is an anticline which has been recognized by a study of the surficial coals. Pro- duction is secured from the Corniferous (Devonian) limestone. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsyl- vanian) sandstones, shales and coals. HISTORY The discovery well of this field was drilled in about 1918 by Charles Dulin and associates, and the amount of production is not known. The nearest rail- road station is Manchester, which is located ten miles to the southeast. BARBOURVILLE GAS FIELD (23) GEOGRAPHY These gas fields are located in the immediate vicinity of Barbourville and Little Richland Creek. GEOLOGY The gas found here is secured in the Big Injun (Mississippian), Epperson, Jones and Wages (Pennsylvanian) sands. No large structure is known to exist at this point, and gas is regarded as a pocket deposit. The depths of the wells vary from 400 to 1,400 feet. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian). 62 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY HISTORY The first gas well of commercial importance in the Knox County gas field was drilled in about 1900 by oil prospectors. In 1906 the Cumberland Gas Co. in- stalled its transmission line, and in 1907 began supplying gas to domestic consumers in Barbourville. TEMPLE HILL GAS FIELD (24) GEOGRAPHY This gas field is located in southeastern Barren County on the head of Skaggs Creek at Temple Hill Post Office. The field is ten miles distant from the nearest railroad station, which is Glasgow. GEOLOGY Gas produced in the Temple Hill gas field is secured in the porous strata of the Ordovician limestone at a depth of from 800 to 1,200 feet. A pro- nounced anticlinal structure with a northeast-southwest axis is responsible for the gas accumulation, which occurs in pockets. The field is not more than a mile long and one-half mile wide. The surface rocks are Warsaw and Fort Payne (Lower Mississippian) limestones. HISTORY The first producing well drilled in the Temple Hill gas field was drilled by Merry Bros, of Glasgow, Ky., in 1919. The well produced originally 1,000,000 cubic feet of gas, after which it rapidly declined. Since then three other gas wells have been drilled in this section, one of which is regarded to have had an original production considerably over 5,000,000 cubic feet. This volume rapidly blew off, however, and the well declined to a very nominal pressure and volume. This gas field is not regarded as one of large commercial importance, due to the short life of the wells. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 63 MEREDITH GAS FIELD (25) GEOGRAPHY This field is recognized by a single well located \y miles southeast of Meredith Post Office in Grayson County on the C. Hazelwood farm. The field is about ten miles southeast of Leitchfield. GEOLOGY The index gasser of this field is located on the top of the Meredith dome. Production was secured DRILLING FOR GAS WITH A PORTABLE RIG Throughout Eastern Kentucky wherever the gas sands are shallow enough the "portable rig" is used in preference to the "standard derrick." in the Mississippian System, in what is called the Major "Sand" at a depth of 1160 feet. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales and coals. HISTORY This well was drilled in 1917 by the Ken- tucky Oil & Refining Company. When gauged by the writer in November, 1921, it was found to be making 00,000 cubic feet, with a rock pressure of 335 pounds. 64 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY A well drilled approximately 2^ miles south was un- productive. There is no commercial outlet for the gas of this field at the present time. CLOVERPORT GAS FIELD (26) GEOGRAPHY This gas field is located in northwestern Breckinridge County on the L. & N. Railroad surround- ing Cloverport and joining the Ohio River. GEOLOGY AND HISTORY The gas found here is pro- duced from a "sand" within the black Chattanooga shale (Devonian). Wells are small, and have been drilled in for a long time. Production from this field reached its peak a number of years ago, since which time it has been declining. It is now practically abandoned, and of no commercial importance. The surface rocks are limestones and shales of the Chester Series (Upper Mississippian) . ISLAND CREEK GAS FIELD (27) GEOGRAPHY This Owsley County gas field is located in the southwestern portion of Owsley County towards the head of Island Creek, a tributary of the South Fork of the Kentucky River. The nearest railroad station is Cressmont in southern Lee County, which is ten miles distant in an air line to the northwest. The nearest post office is Travelers Rest. The extent of the gas field, which is recognized by three index gas wells, is unknown. GEOLOGY Structure of this field is reported to be anticlinal, with regional dip to the southeast. The NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OF KENTUCKY 65 field is located close to the bottom of the Eastern Kentucky geo-syncline. The surficial rocks are Pottsville (Penn- sylvanian) sandstones, shales and coals. Gas produc- tion is secured from Corniferous (Devonian) limestone. The wells are about 1,200 feet deep. HISTORY Gas was discovered in the field by the Owsley Oil and Gas Company in the Harve Price No. 1 in 1918. This well gauged originally 1,250,000 cubic feet open flow. Later, the Rufus Barker No. 1 was drilled, with initial production of 1,100,000 cubic feet. The Petroleum Exploration Co. drilled in the third gasser, the Aleck Bond No. 1, which had an original open flow of 1,050,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Further developments are now under way in this region. ROCK FORK GAS FIELD (28) GEOGRAPHY This Knott County gas field is located toward the head of Rock Fork of Right Beaver Creek, close to the Floyd County line. It is known by one well only, which is drilled on the W. R. Bolin farm. GEOLOGY The structure of this field is anticlinal, the fold pitching to the north. The gas "sand" is a porous strata within the Big Lime. The field lies close to the Beaver Creek field, and like the latter field is located on the southeastern flank of the Eastern Kentucky geo- syncline. The surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvanian) sandstones, shales and coals. The Kentucky Geological Survey has prepared a structural map of Knott County. HISTORY This well was drilled in by the Pennagrade Oil and Gas Co. in 1917 while prospecting for oil. It gauged 4,680,000 cubic feet, had a rock pressure of 540 pounds, and was shut in. The size of the field is unknown, 66 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY as no other wells have been drilled in this immediate vicinity. The Big Lime sand, while a big flush producer of gas, is not regarded as long-lived. PRESTONSBURG GAS FIELD (29) GEOGRAPHY This field is located on Middle Creek and Bull Creek in central Floyd County, Ky. GEOLOGY Surface rocks are Pottsville (Pennsylvan- ian) sandstones, shales and coals. Gas production is secured from the Wier (Mississippian) and Corniferous (Devonian) "sands" at depths ranging from 1,450 to 2,400 feet. The structure is distinctly anticlinal, though located close to the Eastern Kentucky geo-syncline, which passes just to the north of this pool. HISTORY This small gas field is known by three wells, two on Middle Creek and one on Bull Creek. The first one was drilled in on the John Gray farm on Bull Creek in 1917 by the Eastern Gulf Oil Company in prospecting for oil. The Middle Creek wells were drilled in 1918 and 1919 by A. Fleming and associates on the Middle Creek Coal Co. tracts, and the Eastern Kentucky Development Co. on the W. H. Fitzpatrick lease. Gas from all three of these wells is now piped at Prestonsburg, where it is used by domestic consumers. The volume and rock pressure of these wells is not known, but they were not large. The Bull Creek well is the best gasser of the three. NATURAL GAS RESOURCES OP KENTUCKY 67 MONTICELLO GAS FlELD (30) AND SPARTA GAS FIELD (31) These fields are of no commercial importance at present, though each gave promise of commercialization for a time. The Monticello field was located close to the Wayne County town of the same name, and produced from two "sands," the Berea and a shallow "sand" above it. Natural gas was piped into Monticello in 1918, where it was used for a few months. The gas reserves of Wayne County were rapidly exhausted, however, and new ones could not be developed. The Sparta field is located in southeastern Gallatin County. It produced a considerable amount of gas in two or three wells drilled during the years 1920 and 1921 from Ordovician, possibly Trenton, sands. The produc- tion was flashy and soon exhausted. It was never commer- cialized except for drilling purposes. CHAPTER III OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES It is not difficult to establish the fact that natural gas is a luxury which is rapidly decreasing in quantity in many places, and especially in the Eastern United States. The fact has been well established in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. It is now being established in Kentucky by a general recognition of actual conditions of depletion in the fields throughout the State. At a time when the public is beginning to give its attention to the certain exhaustion in the near future of this valuable mineral resource, it is pertinent that some consideration be given to those industries which depend upon it for their continuance. The two users of large quantities of natural gas in Kentucky, are: The public utilities corporations, which supply by the use of ex- tensive pipe lines the domestic consumers in our cities and the carbon black corporations, which produce and use natural gas in the field for the manufacture of carbon black. Since the gas field interests of these two principal consumers of Kentucky's natural gas are in direct conflict, it is expedient that each of them be presented separately, in order that an adequate understanding and contrast of their economic value to society may be secured. The public service corporations supplying natural gas will be discussed first, and the carbon black manufacturers later. PUBLIC UTILITIES CORPORATIONS SUPPLYING NATURAL GAS In the State of Kentucky there are three large gas public utilities corporations. One of these, the Central Kentucky Natural Gas Company, serves through its OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 69 subsidiaries 14,898 consumers in the towns of Paintsville, Mt. Sterling, Winchester, Paris, Lexington, Versailles, Midway and Frankfort. Another, the Kentucky Pipe Line Company, which is a subsidiary of the Louisville Gas and Electric Company, serves 49,710 consumers in the City of Louisville, its suburbs, and the field including Ivyton, Magoffin County. Each of these companies owns and operates a 6, 8 and 12-inch main transmission line extending from the Martin County gas field in Eastern Kentucky through to their respective western termini, Frankfort and Louisville. The Kentucky Pipe Line Company's main, 222 miles in length, was constructed during 1913 and 1914, and was completed March 15, 1914. The Central Kentucky Gas Company's main line was completed in 1912. This latter line has several short connections to Eastern Kentucky fields, principally in Johnson and Menifee Counties. The Kentucky Pipe Line Company is interested as a small stockholder in the natural gas transmission line of the Pennagrade Oil and Gas Company from the Beaver Creek gas fields in Floyd County to its main line in Johnson County. The Kentucky Pipe Line Company also owns and operates a gas line from the Ivyton gas field in Magoffin County which connects with its main line in Johnson County. Both of these companies have made much use of the Martin County, Kentucky, gas fields and the West Vir- ginia gas fields in the past, through the United Fuel Gas Company's (Columbia Gas and Electric Co.), service from Inez in Martin County. Each of them still secures a considerable portion of their natural gas from this source of supply, though the volume which this large West Virginia service corporation has been able to give to the Kentucky service corporations has steadily decreased during the last several years, due to the depreciation of 70 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY PRELIMINARY WORK ON GAS PIPE LINE On many of the steep hillsides of Eastern Kentucky "breakers" have to be built into the gas pipe line ditch to prevent washing. This view is in Morgan County. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 71 the source of natural gas supply in Martin County, Kentucky, and elsewhere in West Virginia. The following table shows the volumes and values of the recent annual runs of some of the larger natural gas public utilities corporations of Kentucky. The first serves the central cities and the second Louisville, princi- pally. UP HILL, DOWN HILL, AND ON Big gas pipe lines in Eastern Kentucky avoid neither the hills nor the valleys in their efforts to follow the shortest course a straight line. Runs and values Central Kentucky Natural Gas Co. (1919-21). Consumption, 1000 Cu. ft. 1,548,579 $154,857.00 2,005,989 200,599.00 1,936,109 193,611.00 Runs and Values Kentucky Pipe Line Co. 1918 1,685,000 $186,529.00 1919 1,965,000 194,535.00 1920 2,760,000 276,864.00 Yrs. 1919 1920 1921 Field Value Delivery Value $619,431.60 802,395.60 774,443.60 (1918-20). $589,750.00 687,750.00 966,000.00 Larger than either the Kentucky Pipe Line Co. or the Central Kentucky Gas Co. in point of capitalization, but much inferior to these corporations in point of direct 72 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY service to Kentucky municipal consumers, is the United Fuel Gas Co.'s pipe lines, which extend northward from Inez in the Martin County fields through Louisa to Catlettsburg and Ashland, Huntington, Ironton, Ports- mouth, Cincinnati and other points. The principal towns and cities in Kentucky served by this line are Inez, Louisa, Buchanan, Catlettsburg, Ashland, Maysville, Greenup, Covington and Newport, which towns taken altogether consume a relatively large amount of natural gas. Comparison of Natural Gas Volumes Produced in Kentucky and the Volumes Imported from W. Va., and Ohio.* Volume Kentucky Volume Imported Total Year Produced Percentage Imported Percent- Volume in of from W. Va. of Consumed Kentucky. Consumption. and Ohio. Consump- in Kentucky tion. 1910 1,356,771 28% 3, 423, 719 72% 4, 780, 490 1911 1,358,963 29% 3, 375, 617 71% 4, 734, 580 1912 1, 659, 696 32% 3, 443, 245 68% 5, 102, 941 1913 1, 821, 526 37% 3, 089, 516 63% 4,911,042 1914 1,421,818 19% 5, 803, 808 81% 7, 225, 626 1915 1, 667, 423 21% 6, 078, 930 79% 7, 746, 353 1916 2, 106, 542 21% 7,781,414 79% 9,887,956 1917 2, 802, 079 23% 9, 251, 366 77% 12, 053, 445 1918 3, 022, 439 25% 9, 177, 751 75% 12, 200, 190 * All volumes are figured in M cubic foot units ; U. S. G. S. Min. Res. adapted. Much smaller in size than the three utilities corpora- tions discussed above is the Green River Gas Company, which owns a large portion of the recently outlined Green River gas field in Green and Taylor Counties, Kentucky. This company operates a short line out of this field to Greensburg and Campbellsville, and is proposing the construction of a pipe line from Campbellsville on to Lebanon, and other small towns. This latter line has not yet been constructed. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 73 Volumes and Values of Natural Gas Consumed in Kentucky.* (1910-1918.) (All volumes in M cubic feet.) Year Total Volume Consumed. Value of Con- sumption. Average Price in Cents Per M cu. ft. Percent- age of Increase over Pre- vious Year. Volume Imported from W. Va. and Ohio. 1910 4 780 490 $908 293 19 00 3, 423, 719 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 4,734,580 5,102,941 5,911,042 7, 225, 626 7,746,353 9,887,956 12, 165, 489 12, 200, 190 901,759 1,070,664 1, 225, 116 1,787,308 1,942,423 2,331,687 3,114,402 3, 093, 393 19.05 20.98 20.72 24.73 25.08 23.59 25.84 25.35 l%t 7.56% 15.83% 22% 7% 28% 22% .0028% 3, 375, 617 3, 443, 245 3, 089, 516 5,803,808 6,078,930 7, 781, 414 9,251,366 9,177,751 Total 69, 754, 667 16, 375, 045 Gen. Av. 22.7 51, 425, 366 * The major totals include all of the Kentucky produced natural gas, plus that which is imported from West Virginia and Ohio; U. S. G. S. Min. Res. adapted. f Decrease of 1911 compared to 1910. The amount of natural gas furnished by the public utilities corporations of this State and consumed by the householders of our Kentucky cities is very large, totaling according to the best figures available 2,760,000 M cubic feet in 1920. The following table shows the distri- bution and production of natural gas in the cities service industries. The average individual has but little conception of the large number of domestic consumers who are served by the public utilities corporations of this State, and of the real and widespread dependence placed upon this fuel source for domestic heating and lighting. The following table shows the distribution of domestic and industrial consumers from 1906 to 1918. 74 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 75 O S _ Es I og | H PH .5 H^ ^2 ^ < 22 ,oo> Pfl Il 2 76 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY Consumers and Producers of Natural Gas in Kentucky.' (1906-1918.) Year Domestic. Industrial. Total Consumers. Number of Producers. 1906 17, 216 18 17, 234 45 1907 19, 279 239 19, 518 38 1908 21,778 42 21,820 38 1909 25, 639 137 25,776 38 1910 27,961 112 28,073 47 1911 41, 201 70 41, 271 74 1912 45, 603 103 45,706 88 1913 54, 446 146 54, 592 93 1914 78, 505 128 78, 633 101 1915 84, 666 117 84, 783 86 1916 85,583 125 85, 708 107 1917 90,041 124 90, 165 118 1918 90,849 100 90,949 122 The widespread use of natural gas for fuel and light in Kentucky is indicated by the fact that sixty-two towns and cities, and nearly 100,000 consumers, are now de- pendent upon it. Recent Natural Gas Deliveries to Louisville, Ky. (Volumes in M Cubic Feet) Month Deliveries 1919 January 291,000 February 272,000 March 282,000 April 245,000 May 218,000 June 145,000 July 144,000 August 155,000 September 164,000 October 205,000 November 289,000 December --- 357,000 Total 2,766,000 Deliveries 1920 365,000 343,000 314,000 306,000 237,000 169,000 164,000 168,000 183,000 254,000 357,000 412,000 Deliveries 1921 392,000 356,000 303,000 270,000 228,000 155,000 165,000 188,000 190,000 308,000 346,000 440,000 3,272,000 3,340,000 * U. S. G. S. Min. Res. adapted. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 77 Kentucky Towns and Cities Using Natural Gas-1921 : 32 Kenner. 33 Langley. 34 Leitchfield 100. 35 Lexington 7,315. 36 Louisa. 37 Louisville 49,685. 38 Ludlow. 39 Maysville 1,544. 40 Maytown. 41 Midway. 42 Monticello. 43 Mt. Sterling 1,134. 44 Newport. 45 North Middletown. 46 Paints ville 369. 47 Paris 1,300. 48 Pollard. 49 Prestonsburg 250. 50 Rothwell. 51 Russell. 52 Salyersville 100. 53 Versailles 116. 54 Warfield. 55 Wayland. 56 West Covington. 57 West Liberty. 58 West Point. 59 Wheelwright. 60 Williamsburg 300. 61 Winchester 2,026. 62 Worthington. 1 Ashland. 2 Barbourville. 3 Belle vue. 4 Brooksville. 5 Buchanan. 6 Burning Springs. 7 Campbells ville 475*. 8 Caney. 9 Cannel City. 10 Catlettsburg. 11 Central City 250. 12 Chinnville. 13 Clifton. 14 Clintonville. 15 Cloverport 200. 16 Cold Spring. 17 Covington 28,567. 18 Dayton. 19 Diamond Springs. 20 Dover. 21 Estill. 22 Foster. 23 Frankfort 2,638. 24 Garrett. 25 Glasgow 30. 26 Greensburg 125. 27 Greenup. 28 Hazel Green. 29 Inez. 30 Ivy ton 25. 31 Kavanaugh. In summation, the public utilities natural gas service corporations of the State of Kentucky have at present invested capital in the sum of approximately $25,000,000 in their endeavors to serve municipal domestic consumers with fuel and light. At the present time there is invested by the natural gas consuming public not less than $9,500,- 000. In the year 1918, 90,849 individual consumers in the towns and cities of Kentucky used 12,200,190 cubic feet of natural gas, which was worth $1,220,019 in the field, and $3,093,393 to the purchasing public. Data for 1921, were it available, would undoubtedly show a considerable increase in both the total volume and value of the natural gas consumed in Kentucky. * The number of consumers is given where known. 78 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY OUR NATUEAL GAS INDUSTRIES 79 Volumes and Values of Natural Gas Produced in Kentucky and Consumed in Kentucky. Year Volume Natural Gas Produced in Kentucky M cu. ft. Unit. Value of Production in the Field at 10 Cents Per M cu. ft. Value of Kentucky Produced Natural Gas Consumed in Kentucky. Average Rate Per M cu. ft. 1890 100,000 $10, 000 $30, 000 .30 1891 129, 973 12, 997 38, 993 .30 1892 143,916 14, 392 43, 175 .30 1893 228, 333 22, 833 68, 500 .30 1894 277, 333 27,733 89,200 .30 1895 329, 000 32, 900 98, 700 .30 1896 330, 000 33,000 99, 000 .30 1897 300,000 30, 000 90,000 .30 1898 343, 766 34, 377 103, 133 .30 1899 419, 150 41,915 125, 745 .30 1900 646, 773 64, 677 194, 032 .30 1901 625, 533 62, 553 187, 660 .30 1902 852, 603 85, 260 255, 781 .30 1903 935, 753 93, 575 280, 726 .30 1904 895, 213 89, 521 268, 564 .30 1905 848, 535 84, 854 237, 590 .28 1906 1,026,790 102, 679 287, 501 .28 1907 1, 357, 777 135, 778 380, 176 .28 1908 1,515,254 151, 525 424, 271 .28 1909 2,097,471 209, 747 485, 192 .23+ 1910 , 356, 771 135, 677 456, 293 .34- 1911 , 358, 963 135, 590 407, 689 .30 1912 1, 659, 696 165, 970 497, 909 .30 1913 , 821, 526 182, 153 509, 846 .28 1914 ,421,818 142, 182 490,875 .35 1915 , 667, 423 166,742 614, 998 .368 1916 2, 106, 542 210, 654 752, 635 .34 1917 2, 802, 079 280, 208 872, 706 .34 1918 3, 022, 439 302, 243 1,027,629 .34 1919 3, 942, 000 394, 200 1,103,760 .28* 1920 3, 497, 000 349, 700 1,014,130 .29* 1921 4,742,000 474, 200 1, 360, 340 .27* Total 42, 801, 430 $4, 279, 835 $12, 896, 749 Gen. Av. .311 * Volumes and values of 1919, 1920, and 1921 estimated. Average price per M decline is due to increasingly large amounts of natural gas consumed by carbon black manufacturers in Eastern Kentucky at lo-vr figure of 10i cents per M cubic feet. 80 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY CARBON BLACK DEFINED There is a popular confusion among laymen in the use of the terms lamp black and carbon black. This should not be, for they are two entirely distinct commodities. Although their appearance is somewhat similar, their method of manufacture is entirely different, lamp black being a by-product of oil, and carbon black a by-product EASTERN CAEBON PLANT IN OPERATION This plant is located in the Beaver Creek Gas Field in Floyd County, Ky. Dence soot or carbon fumes make detailed photographs impossible. of natural gas. Both of these commodities are a soot, and throughout the United States they are commonly classed together in the literature under the title "lamp black." Each product is formed by a smudge or partial combustion process in which oil, coal tar, resin or some other solid or liquid carbonaceous substance is burned in an insufficient quantity of oxygen or air. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 81 Carbon black taken separately refers to the product resulting from the incomplete combustion of gas, and is deposited by actual contact of the flame upon some metallic substance. A large number of carbonaceous materials, such as gas retort coke, oil coke, graphite, carbon black, lamp black, fine black, wood pulp black, willow charcoal refuse blacks, and leather blacks, are prepared and on the market. Each of these possess different flocculent and qualitative characteristics. None of them show the same color, chemical composition, or physical structure. Each kind of "black" has its own specific adaptation or adaptations, and is not readily substituted for another. In some cases substitutes are impossible. The term carbon black is synonymous with a number of trade names developed, and, in some instances, copy- righted, by carbon black manufacturers. Some of these commercial titles are Gas Black, Natural Gas Black, Ebony Black, Jet Black, Hydro-Carbon Black, Satin Gloss Black, Silicate of Carbon Black. All of these carbon blacks are made in one of the four following methods: (1) formation by direct contact of the natural gas flame upon a depositing surface; (2) produced by combustion of the oil, tar, etc., in an inade- quate supply of air where soot is allowed to settle slowly on the floors and walls of the collecting chambers; (3) carbonization of solids after their reduction to a very finely divided condition; (4) produced by heating carbon- aceous vapors or gases to the temperature of decomposi- tion. The heat is applied externally with or without air in the forming chambers. This is called the cracking or thermal decomposition method. Carbon blacks so produced are essentially a mixture of hydro-carbon and other organic substances, and may in certain cases con- tain a considerable percentage of mineral matter. 82 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY HISTORY OF THE CARBON BLACK INDUSTRY. Carbon black as an industry was born in the year 1872, when two gentlemen, Messrs. Halworth and Lamb, of Massachusetts, erected at New Cumberland, West Virginia, the first factory in the product which was successfully made on a commercial scale. At this early time no regulatory appliances for natural gas were known, and a very great waste of natural gas resulted. The indiscriminate blowing of natural gas was not, however, recognized as an economic waste at this early time. Since 1826, when natural gas was first used for lighting purposes in the United States, at Fredonia, New York, no regulating appliances had been perfected. The total consumption of natural gas in this way was small. Nat- ural gas itself was very cheap, and the waste in propor- tion to the amount used was very large. At this time natural gas was considered a dangerous nuisance, to be "blown off" in an oil field whenever found if possible, or to be disposed of in any other practical or safe way. For a short time the manufacturers of carbon black at New Cumberland, West Virginia, though employing very crude methods involving slabs of soap-stone as depositing surfaces for the carbon black, had things their own way and sold their product to the trade at a maximum of $2.50 per pound. Their product, however, was in many ways not as excellent as that which has recently sold for five and six cents per pound. The demand for carbon black increased rapidly, and in 1883 A. R. Blood devised the revolving disc method of manufacturing carbon black. This process is still in use, and is now known as the "Blood or Rotating Disc" method. The new process improved the methods of production and brought the price down to 31 cents per pound. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 83 Mr. Blood, working to perfect a better process of carbon black manufacture, evolved the roller process about the same time, which, though it gave a much smaller yield of carbon black, produced a much finer grade. Carbon black thus produced sells today for a higher price than other grades. About ten years later, in 1892, L. J. McNutt patented his channel process, which was an improvement over all the other methods from a mechanical stand- point. It was at this time that petroleum was first in- troduced in the attempted manufacture of carbon black. The trial was unsuccessful. Since the time McNutt's patent was registered, a number of improved methods have been completed, most of which are not practical. In 1916 a patent was issued covering a new process for the pro- duction of carbon black from the mulsified or cut crude oil, now a great oil field waste. But this method has not succeeded from a commercial standpoint. PRODUCTION OF CARBO N BLACK Up until the recent discovery of the large natural gas fields near Monroe and Shreveport, in Louisiana, about seventy-five per cent of the world's supply of carbon black was produced in West Virginia, which had been producing and selling natural gas for about 3 cents and 4 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. Recent advances in the price of West Virginia natural gas to 7 cents and 8 cents per 1,000 cubic feet forced many of the carbon black manu- facturers of this State to move to other sections where gas could be secured at a lower figure. In Louisiana the average price is 2 cents and in Oklahoma 5 cents to 6>2 cents per 1,000 cubic feet. In the State of West Virginia in 1918 there was produced 289,123,513,000 cubic feet of gas, of which 24,830,697,000 cubic feet of gas was consumed in carbon black manufacture. This represented a reduction of the immense volume of natural gas used for carbon 84 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY black purposes amounting to 1,232,009,000 cubic feet for the entire State of West Virginia as compared with the production figures of 1917. But because of the decrease in the total production of natural gas for the entire state, the percentage of natural gas used by carbon black really jumped ahead from 8.5 per cent in 1917 to 8.7 per cent in 1918. Statistics covering the recent production of carbon black in the United States follow: NORTH VIEW OF LIBERTY CARBON PLANT This carbon manufacturing plant is located in the Beaver Creek Gas Field. The escaping fumes of carbon or soot indicate a portion of the lost fuel. TABLE I. Production of Carbon Black from Natural Gas in the United States in 1918. West Virginia _.. 30, 000, 000 Ibs. Louisiana 8, 000, 000 Ibs. Wyoming 3, 000, 000 Ibs. Oklahoma 1, 500,000 Ibs. Other States, including Kentucky.. 1,000,000 Ibs. Total.. 43, 500, 000 Ibs. OUR NATURAL GAS INDUSTRIES 85 g C. CO 1>-'CO Tji CO GO co i> 05^ rH CO TH CO t> rt< ^ cents per M cubic feet. A comparison with the maximum 134 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY a 05 1 0) fl> .2-3 CO *S < "g g M B IB g IS M H 5 w gw 5 s EH . P* NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION 135 rate of $1.90 per M cubic feet and the minimum rate of $0.95 per M cubic feet paid by domestic consumers in cities surrounding Kentucky for the use of artificial gas, is at once illustrative of the great advantage enjoyed by domestic consumers of natural gas in Kentucky. Once the natural gas reserves of this State are depleted, the installation of artificial gas in our cities is the next step. When this time comes, gas rates somewhat comparable to those of the second following table (page 136) may be expected : REPRESENTATIVE KENTUCKY CITIES USING NATURAL GAS Rates in effect January 1, 1922. Rate Name Per M Company Supplying Cu.Ft 1 Ashland 30c United Fuel Gas Company. 2 Barbourville 38-80c Barbourville Supply Co. 3 Campbells ville 38c Green River Gas Co. 4 Catlettsburg 35c United Fuel Gas Company. 5 Central City 90c Central Gas Co. 6 Clintonville 50c Blue Grass Natural Gas Co. 7 Cloverport 54c Cloverport Gas Co. 8 Covington 45-60c Union Light, Heat & Power Co. 9 Frankfort 50c Frankfort Natural Gas Co. 10 Greensburg 38c Green River Gas Co. 11 Greenup 35c United Fuel Gas Company. 12 Inez 35c United Fuel Gas Company. 13 Lexington 40c Cent. Ky. Natural Gas Co. 14 Louisa... 35c United Fuel Gas Co. 15 Louisville 35c Lou. Gas and Electric Co. 16 Maysville 35c Maysville Gas Co. 17 Midway 40c Cent. Ky. Natural Gas Co. 18 Mt. Sterling 40c Cent. Ky. Natural Gas Co. 19 Paintsville 40c Johnson Co. Natural Gas Co. 20 Paris_ _ _ 40c Paris Gas & Electric Co. 21 Russell 35c United Fuel Gas Co. 22 Versailles 40c Cent. Ky. Natural Gas Co. 23 Warfield 35c United Fuel Gas Co. 24 West Liberty 20c Collier Oil & Gas Co. 25 Winchester 40c Cent . Ky . Natural Gas C o . General average rate 40.5 cents. NOTE Gas for local companies supplying Clintonville, Frankfort, Maysville, Paintsville and Paris is furnished by Central Kentucky Natural Gas Company. 136 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY Representative Cities of the Eastern United States Consum- ing Artificial Gas and Flat Rate to Domestic Con- sumer, Effective January 1, 1922. Per 1000 Cu. Ft. Brooklyn, N. Y. Brooklyn Borough Gas Co $1.35 Brooklyn Union Gas Co 1.25 FlatbusTi Gas Co 1.25 Kings County Lighting Co 1.50 Chattanooga. Chattanooga Gas Co 1.75 Chicago, 111. Peoples Gas, Light and Coke Co 1.15 Far Rockaway. Queens Borough Gas and Electric Co 1.40 Flushing. New York and Queens Gas Co 1.60 Memphis. National Power and Light Co 1 . 35 Nashville. Nashville Gas and Heating Co 1.90 New York City. New Amsterdam Gas Co Bronx Gas and Electric Co., et al 1.50 Central Union Gas Co 1.25 Consolidated Gas Co 1.25 New York Mutual Gas Light Co 1.20 Northern Union Gas Co 1.25 Jamaica Gas Light Co 1.20 Philadelphia. Northern Liberties Gas Co 1.10 Philadelphia Gas Works 1.00 St. Louis. Laclede Gas Light Co .95 Washington. Georgetown Gas Light Co ... 1 . 25 Washington Gas Light Co 1.25 Since there can be no doubt but that the best and most intelligent use of the natural gas resources of this State would be one directed toward the benefit of the largest number of our own people and our posterity, it may be wise for us to think seriously of drawing a line between the carbon black manufacturer who produces for domestic consumption only, and he who produces NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION 137 either in part or in whole for foreign trade or export. This suggestion is made in all seriousness, since it must be evident that there is no way by which the citizenship of this State can ever be adequately recompensed for the great loss of natural gas sustained. From a domestic DRAINAGE VS. A GAS PIPE LINE In order to avoid obstructing a farm drainage ditch a twelve-inch gas line was here lowered eighteen feet. In the neighborhood of large cities natural gas transmission line construction is beset by many obstacles. standpoint, the total benefits derived from such a traffic are shared by a very few selfish individuals. The foreign aspects are the improvement to a small degree of inter- national commerce and the advancement of the inter- 138 NATUEAL GAS OF KENTUCKY ests of competitive industries in other countries. To rapidly dissipate in Kentucky so important and limited a natural resource as natural gas in the interest of such small returns, is not merely profligate negligence, it is an economic crime. Besides the export phase of the carbon black industry, which to a State like Kentucky is positively without recommendation, there are other angles of the business that deserve inspection and criticism from the stand- point of conservancy. Foremost among these is the manufacture and sale of carbon black to such indus- tries as might well provide a substitute. A splendid instance for this class would be the automobile rubber tire industry, where adequate substitutes for fillers, such as oxide of zinc, which was used in the pre-war period, may now be brought back into service. The inexpediency of stifling the carbon black industry in so far as it produces carbon black for the printing ink industry of this country is at once manifest. Here is an instance where there is no known "just as good" materials or reliable substitutes. Newspaper inks equal to those made from pigments of carbon black are not known. The great waste of natural gas is here, to some degree at least, justified, for we must have newspapers, and we must have inks with which to print them, in Kentucky as well as everywhere else in this country. COMPETING INTERESTS vs. CONSERVANCY The relationship of the carbon black producer and the public utilities corporation in the field has not been clearly defined. The principles of fair play demand that both should have the same right to search or prospect for natural gas. When the natural gas has been dis- covered, the principles of conservation enter into the NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION 139 140 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY problem. It now appears that each should be guaran- teed an unmolested prosecution of its business so long as neither one nor the other endangers the best interests of the general public in the conservancy of the remaining supplies of natural gas. Since it is widely recognized that natural gas supplying public utilities corporations approach nearer to a strictly efficient use of this natural resource than any other, and since through them greater regulation of the conservation of natural gas may be obtained through the rules of State Conservation Com- missions than in any other way, their operation is recom- mended, while the use of natural gas for all wasteful industrial enterprises must be condemned. This final interpretation has been arrived at generally by all con- servancy commissions and scientific bodies that have found it necessary to give the matter careful considera- tion. In the light of these interpretations, the operation of carbon black plants within any large proven gas field which is serving through a public utilities corporation a large group of domestic consumers, must be considered as a serious menace to true conservation. Isolated gas pools not fundamentally necessary to public service demands, either present or future, are without doubt the rightful field for the manufacture of carbon black, and it is held that the carbon black industry should not only be directed to such pools, but once established here should be as carefully protected as possible. Car- bon black's best interest, from the standpoint of the conservation of its available resources, may even here be safe-guarded by proper legislative restriction which will insure for it a longer lease on the life of its rapidly depleting supplies of natural gas. Projecting the pre- sent uncontrolled volume of the carbon black industry NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION 141 A GAS PIPE LINE NEAR THE BIG SANDY In the construction of this line, here shown in progress, all the bare area was a large slip and had to "be tile drained to prevent further movement. 142 NATUBAL GAS OF KENTUCKY into the future, the interested public may be assured that within a few decades carbon black as a natural gas by-product will be an industrial relic in all of the Eastern States, including Kentucky. American carbon black will then be produced only in those isolated sections of this country where newly discovered supplies of natural gas are far beyond the reach of the public utilities pipe ines. NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION MEASURES As measures of natural gas conservation the following principles are recommended for gas field operation: (1) the prompt closing of gas wells; (2) the proper casing of gas wells to prevent underground waste ; (3) the proper casing and tubing and packing of gas wells to prevent waste; (4) regulation of the amount of gas which may be used in firing well, drilling boilers and the method of burning such gas; (5) outlawing of the use of the gas flambeaux or torch; (6) the drilling of fewer offset wells; (7) the proper plugging of oil, gas and salt water sands; (8) outlawing of the practice of blowing gas wells to secure oil; (9) the outlawing of extensive blowing of gas wells in order to free them from water; (10) proper regulation of the lowering of rock pressure in order to avoid too rapid a diminution of natural gas flow. To further promote the conservation of natural gas, the following principles are recommended for the guidance 6f:^iiblic s?rv (^corporations, domestic consumers, and the interested public :"{p regulation of inspection, cover- 'iA^t^lJakaigp^ga^ljermg, transmission and distributing lines; (2) the installation of leak proof measuring devices by the ultimate consumer; (3) the drying of natural gas where necessary to avoid blowing drips; (4) the abolition NATURAL GAS CONSERVATION 143 .23 144 NATURAL GAS OF KENTUCKY of free gas and flat gas rates; (5) the abolition of cheap gas for manufacturing, and in its place the institution of a sliding scale upward; (6) a proper regulation and limitation of the carbon black industry and all other wasteful natural gas industries so that they will conform as nearly as possible or practicable to the best principles of conservation; (7) the outlawing of exports to foreign countries of carbon black manufactured in Kentucky; (8) the standardization of heating, lighting and cooking appliances using mixers so as to produce the most efficient use of natural gas; (9) the compulsory installation of thermostats regulating large natural gas heating devices, such as furnaces, etc.; (10) a discontinuance of discount practices by natural gas companies for low pressure or peak periods; (11) the adoption by municipalities gener- ally of franchise regulations providing for the mixing of artificial gas with natural gas during periods of increased demand or peak load; (12) the education of the public in general and the domestic consumer in particular concern- ing the rigidly limited and rapidly diminishing natural gas reserves of Kentucky and adjoining States; (13) the adoption by every one of the most efficient methods and appliances for handling and consuming natural gas, and the strictest enforcement throughout of the principles of true conservation. The End. SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY. These publications discuss the production, utilization and con- servation of natural gas. The several gas industries are adequately discussed. 1 Ambrose, A. W. Underground Conditions in Oil Fields. U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bull. 195, Petroleum Tech. 62, 1921. 2 Arnold, R., and Garfias, V. R. The Cementing Process of Excluding Water from Oil Wells as Practiced in California. U. S. Bureau of Mines, Tech. Paper 32, Petroleum Tech. 3, 1913. The Prevention of Waste of Oil and Gas from Flowing Wells in California. U. S. Bureau of Mines, Tech. Paper 42, Petroleum Tech. 8, 1914. 3 Curtis, Thomas. Casing Troubles and Fishing Methods in Oil Wells. U. S. Bureau of Mines, Bull. 182, Petroleum Tech. 57, 1920. 4 Dykewa, W. P., and Neal, Roy O. Absorption as Applied to Recovery of Gasoline left in Residual Gas from Compression Plants. U. S. Bureau of Mines, Tech. Paper 232, Petroleum Tech. 53, 1920. 5 Ely, R. T. Conservation and Economic Theory. A. I. M. E., Vol. 54, p. 458. 6 Gilbert, Chester G., and Pogue, Joseph E. The Energy Resources of the United States : A Field for Reconstruction, pp. 26-100, U. S. Nat. Museum Bull. 102, Vol. 1, 1919. 7 Jillson, W. R. Oil and Gas Resources of Kentucky. Ky. Geol. Survey, Series V, Vol. I, 1919. Contributions to Kentucky Geology. Ky. Geol. Survey, Series V, Vol. VI, 1920. Economic Papers on Kentucky Geology, Ky. Geol. Survey, Series VI, Vol. II, 1921. 8 Johnson, R. H., and Huntley, L. G. Principles of Oil and Gas Production, p. 99. John Wiley & Sons. 1916. 9 Johnson, R. H. Legal and Economic Factors in the Conservation of Oil and Gas. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, 1917. 146 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY 10 Leith, C. K. International Control of Minerals. Mineral Resources of U. S., Part I, U. S. G. S., 1918. The Economic Aspects of Geology. Henry Holt & Co., 1921. See Chapter XVII. 11 McClelland, E. H. Lamp Black A Bibliography. Carnegie Library, Pitts- burgh, 1919. 12 McMurray, W. F., and Lewis, J. O. Underground Waste in Oil and Gas Fields and Methods of Prevention. Tech. Paper 130, U. S. Bureau of Mines. 13 Orton, Edward. Occurrence of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Asphalt Rock in Western Kentucky. Ky. Geol. Survey, Series II, 1891. 14 Peterson, Frank P. The Production of Gasoline from Natural Gas. Pub. Bessemer Gas Engine Co., Grove City, Pa., 1913. 15 Pogue, Joseph E. The Economics of Petroleum, John Wiley and Sons, 1921. 16 Rogers, G. Sherburne. The Cleveland Gas Field, Cuyahoga County, Ohio. U. S. G. S. Bull. 661-A, 1917. 17 Sievers, E. G. Carbon Black 'Produced from Natural Gas in 1920. Min- eral Resources of U. S., 1920, Part II. U. S. G. S., pp. 145-149. 18 Smith, George Otis. Our Mineral Reserves. U. S. G. S. Bull. 599, 1914. The Economic Limits to Domestic Independence in Min- erals. Mineral Resources of United States, Part I, U. S. G. S., 1918. 19 United States Geological Survey. Mineral Resources of the United States, 1888 to 1920, in whole or in part. 20 Van Hise, C. R. The Conservation of Natural Resources in the United States. 21 Westcott, Henry P. Hand Book of Natural Gas, Metric Metal Works, Erie, Pa., 1915. Hand Book of Casinghead Gas, Metric Metal Works, Erie, Pa., 1918. 22 Wyer, Samuel S. Natural Gas: Its Production, Service and Conservation. U. S. Nat. Museum Bull. 102, Part 7, 1918. Present and Prospective Supply of Natural Gas Available in Pennsylvania. Private edition. 1918. INDEX A Page Alabama 133 Appalachian Region 15 Arnold, Ralph 119 Ashland 16, 72, 135 Ashley, Geo. H 112 B Bain, H. Foster 105 Barbourville Gas Field 31, 61 Barren County 24 Beaver Creek Gas Field 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 69 Beaver Creek Gas Field, Map of 96 Big Sandy River 28, 141 Big Sandy Valley 29 Bownocker, J. A 111 Brandenburg 26 Breathitt 28, 30 Breckinridge County 27 Brooklyn, N. Y 136 C California 133 Campbell, C. W 114 Campbellsville 29 Carbons 88 Carbon Black 80, 81 Carbon Black, Formation 92 Carbon Black, History 82 Carbon Black, Method of Production 89 Carbon Black Production 83 Carbon Black Production in U. S 85 Carbon Black, Users of 86 Catlettsburg 72 Central City Gas Field 31, 58 Central Kentucky Natural Gas Co 68, 69, 71 Charleston 16 148 INDEX Page China 87 Cincinnati , 16, 72 Cities Consuming Natural Gas 133 Clay County 21 Cleveland . 16 Cloverport Gas Field 31, 64 Coal, "Ground Hogging" 20 Columbia Gas & Electric Co 1 30, 69 Columbus 16 Conservancy 138 Covington 72 Critical Comment, Trend of 103 D Davis, W. H 119 Diamond Springs Gas Field 31, 58 Duffy, W. H-- - 114 E Eastern Carbon Co 98 Eichelberger, F. O., City Manager - 117 Elk Fork Gas Field 31, 43 England 87 Ethane 88 F Flat Gap Gas Field 30, 31, 41 Floyd County -23, 28, 30, 69, 98 France 87 Frankfort -- 69 Frozen Creek Gas Field 30, 31, 33 G Glasgow Gas Field 31, 57 Gray son County Green County --23, 30 Green River Gas Field 31, 52, 53 INDEX 149 H Page Hall, Grant P., Mayor 117 Hassell, J. W 106 Hiseville Gas Field-- 31, 57 Huntington '16, 72 I Illinois 133 Indiana 133 Inez 69 Ironton 72 Island Creek Gas Field 31, 64 Ivyton Gas Field 31, 45, 46 J Japan 87 Johnson County 23, 28, 30, 69 Jones, E. N 119 K Kansas 133 Kansas Geological Survey 110 Kentucky 72, 113, 133 Kentucky Carbon Black Industry 94 Kentucky Carbon Black Volume 99 Kentucky Heating and Lighting Co 26 Kentucky Natural Gas Pools 31, 75 Kentucky Pipe Line Co 69, 71 Kentucky River 134 Kentucky Rock Gas Co 26 Kentucky Towns and Cities 77 Kermit Station 30 Knott County 30 Koontz, A. B 120 L Leitchfield Gas Field 31, 55, 56 Lexington 16, 69, 135 Liberty Carbon Co 93, 94, 95, 97 150 INDEX Page Louisa . 72 Louisiana 133 Louisville . 16, 26, 135 M Magoffin County 30, 69 Marshall, John D . 114 Martin County 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Martin County Gas Field 38, 39, 40, 69 Maryland 133 McDonald, Donald 122 Meade County 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 Meade County Gas Field 53, 54 Menifee County 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 139 Menifee Gas Field 47, 48, 69 Meredith Gas Field 31, 63 Methane 88 Mjdway 69 Mines, Bureau of 105 Missouri 133 Mize Gas Field 31, 45 Montana 133 Monticello Gas Field 31 Morgan, G. B 110 Morgan County -- 70 Moore, R. C - 110 Moorman Well 26 Mt. Sterling 69 N Natural Gas Conservation 124 Natural Gas Consumers-- 76 Natural Gas Industries 68 Natural Gas Pools and Pipe Lines-- --- 32 Natural Gas Resources - - 26 Natural Gas Shortage - 112 Natural Gas Structure - - - 60 Natural Gas Values 73, 79 INDEX 151 Page Natural Gas Volumes 72, 73, 74, 79 Nelson, W. A 109 Newcombe Creek Gas Field 31, 59 New York 133 New York City 136 Newport 72 Nitrogens 88 North Dakota - - 133 O Ohio 68, 72, 113, 133 Ohio Geological Survey 111 Ohio River Gas Field 26 Oil Field Waste ' 56 Oklahoma 133 Oklahoma Geological Survey 106 Oneida Gas Field 31, 49 P Paintsville 69 Paris 135 Pennsylvania 68, 133 Pennsylvania Geological Survey 112 Penrod Gas Field - 31, 59 Philadelphia 136 Pierson, N. L _. 114 Pittsburgh . 16 Portsmouth 72 Pressure Plant 78 Prestonsburg Gas Field 31, 66 Proctor, W. S., Gasser 56 Public Utilities - _ 100 Q Quin, Huston, Mayor _ 116 152 INDEX R Page Red Bush Gas Field 30, 31, 41 Rock Fork Gas Field 31, 65 S Sexton Creek Gas Field 31, 61 Shannon, C. W 107 Smith, D. D., Mayor 117 Smith, George Otis 123 Smith, Philip S 104 South Dakota 133 Sparta Gas Field 31, 67 T Taylor County 23, 30 Temple Hill Gas Field 31, 62 Tennessee Geological Survey 109 Texas ._. 133 Tonkin, T. J 122 Tug Fork . 28 U United Fuel Gas Co --29, 69, 71 United States 15, 17, 19 United States Geological Survey 104, 123 V Versailles 69 W Washington 136 West Virginia 26, 28, 30, 68, 113, 133 West Virginia Geological Survey - 109 Wheeling 16 White, I. C 109 Williamsburg Gas Field-- 31, 50 Win Gas Field 30, 31, 42, 43, 44 Winchester --69, 135 Wyoming - 133 Wyoming Geological Survey 110 YB 15458 494219 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY