PUMPING A FLOWING WELL.

155

derly in their habits, and bid fair to live to a ripe and unctuous old age, bearing joy and gladness to those whom they serve.

It is probable, however, that when these wells come down to the degree of pumping institutions, they will not yield as largely as many that have not aspired to the dignity of flowing wells. The supply, it is likely, was drawn in the days of their glory from enormous cavities that have been chiefly drained, yet still are fed from. other cavities beneath, by means of small veins or leaders in the rock; and the pump can only withdraw this new supply as it is gradually presented by these small apertures. A well, then, that has yielded in its palmy days. two or three thousand barrels daily, and comes down to ten or fifteen barrels, and this extracted through the persuasive power of a pump, may continue to yield, unless its crevices become filled up by mechanical means, for many years, and prove as valuable as those that have been pumping wells from the beginning.

Attempts have been made at various times to close the chambers of flowing wells by means of a stop-cock, and thus draw upon their ample resources just as the supply was needed, but the attempt did not succeed well. The effect was found to be damaging to the well. In some cases the supply began to fail and threaten total destruction to the value of the well. In such cases, it is probable there were connections with other cavities and veins that had been pierced by neighboring borers, and that through these cavities and the influence of neighboring wells, the supply was diverted in a different direction, and the old channel completely abandoned. Under such circumstances, the application of a pump, and continuous pumping for a length of time, might recall the

156

INTERMITTENT WELLS.

truant oil to its former channel. Ordinarily now the workmen prefer letting the oil go to waste if the flow precedes the erection of tanks, until they can provide means for securing it, rather than run the risk of closing the well. Latterly, however, the prudent borer has his tanks prepared by the time his well is ready to flow.

Usually the flow from these wells is steady and regular, although pouring out with terrible fury and energy. It seems, at times, as though the power was sufficient to turn a small mill. But withal it is regular and constant, yielding for weeks almost the same quantity from day to day, and from hour to hour. Sometimes this yield is pure oil, scarcely a trace of water being present. This probably depends somewhat upon the correctness and security of the tubing, and somewhat upon the nature of the rock, as regards the presence of openings and crevices through which water may be enabled to percolate. This seems to be the result particularly in deeper wells, and those yielding large quantities of oil. It may depend somewhat upon the size of the cavity in which the oil is found, and the manner in which the vein that is struck connects with this cavity. If the connection is with that part containing oil, and above the water, the result would be pure oil. Often, however, the oil is largely mingled with dense salt water, that must be separated in the tank before the oil can be put in packages for the market.

Sometimes there is a kind of intermitting flowing well. The oil and gas will flow for a little time, then cease alto- . gether for about the same length of time, and then flow forth as before, presenting all the phenomena of an intermitting spring. One in particular may be specified for the regularity and system of its operations. It will

THE SUNDAY WELL.

157

remain quiescent for about fifteen minutes, when there would be heard the sound as of fearful agitation far down in its depths. This rumbling and strife would then appear to approach the surface for a few moments, when the petroleum would rush from the orifice, mingled with gas and foam, almost with the fury of a round shot from a rifled cannon. This furious flow would continue

for fifteen or twenty minutes, when it would suddenly subside, and all would be peace again. This alternate rest and motion would continue with great regularity day and night, yielding, perhaps, one hundred and fifty barrels per day. In other instances there will be interruptions of days, and even weeks, when the flow will be continued as before.

In these cases it is possible that there is a peculiar conformation of the veins with relation to the cavities containing the oil, by which the supply of oil and gas is exhausted for a space of time, when the well remains quiet until the cavity is filled up again from other

sources.

Let the cavity be supposed to contain the three fluids as before, but connected with a second cavity by a crevice at c. If the well, a, pierce the vein, d, it will flow until the cavity is nearly emptied, when it will cease until the first cavity is refilled from the second. See page 158.

Perhaps the most singular phenomenon connected with flowing wells was what was called the "Sunday well," from the fact that it flowed constantly during the week days, but ceased on the Sabbath. It was regarded - with some little superstition by the workmen engaged at other wells, but soon ceased to attract much attention, further than being regarded as a great curiosity by some, and by others as involving a curious and interest

158

PHILOSOPHY OF THE SUNDAY WELL.

ing philosophical question. No doubt there is a very general connection existing between the cavities containing oil, by means of veins and small seams running in every direction, that affect in a greater or less degree the operations of pumping and flowing. Sometimes this

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influence is so slight as to be imperceptible; at others, it is felt in different ways. In the case of the Sunday well, the agitation of pumping, and the withdrawal of water from particular veins, induced such a condition or equilibrium of oil and gas in the cavity underneath, as to produce the phenomenon of flowing during the time of pumping. On Sabbath the pumping ceases, the agitation is no longer moving, and stirring, and disturbing the labyrinthine veins in the rock, the water accumulates and the flow ceases. On Monday morning the agi

DECREASE OF FLOWING WELLS.

159

tation commences, the water is withdrawn, and the flowing commences as before; so that, after all, the mysterious operation of this well was but the result of counterbalancing forces operating in the cavities beneath.

Another thought in relation to flowing wells. The strong probabilities are, that as the number of wells bored in any given locality increases, the number of flowing wells will decrease, until they cease altogether. If they are due to the exhaustive force of the gas imprisoned beneath, and there is no room to doubt this, then as the number of wells increases the gas will become gradually exhausted, or will find new avenues of escape, not only from pumping wells, but in wells that are absolute failures, until the gas force becomes like the bow that has been too long held in tension, its power will be lost, and pumping wells must be the final dependence. This is becoming the case in many places already, and will, no doubt, be the case finally throughout the oil region.

CHAPTER XII.

MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.

As the business began to increase, and its magnitude to develop, the question of transportation became a very important one. Although not bulky in proportion to its value, it has many unpleasant features connected with it. Being generally carried in wooden barrels, or