Wanless, Harold R.

IDEALS @ Illinois

Oil possibilities of the Alexis quadrangle, Mercer and Warren Counties, Illinois

Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship Repository

CritoV ^JUOAJLMPress Hulletin Series t j • • ^Issued Iwice QuarterlySTATE OF ILLINOISDEPARTMENT OF REGISTRATION AND EDUCATIONA. M. SHELTON, DirectorDIVISION OF THESTATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEYM. M. LEIGHTON. Chwf, UrbanaNo. 8 ILLINOIS PETROLEUM April 16, 1927CONTENTSPAGEOil possibilities of the Alexis quadrangle, Mercer and Warren counties, Illinois 1Summary of oil field operations in Illinois during the first quarter of 1927 8OIL POSSIBILITIES OF THE ALEXIS QUADRANGLEMERCER AND WARREN COUNTIES, ILLINOISBy Harold R. WanlessIntroductionFollowing- the policy of the State Geological Survey, the present papersummarizes the results of geological studies in the Alexis quadrangle whichmay be of interest to the oil industry. The Alexis quadrangle is situated in-Mercer and Warren counties. Figure 1 shows its location and the locationof the Colmar-Plymouth oil field, the nearest oil-producing area.General Geologic RelationsThe Alexis quadrangle is situated near the northwestern margin of theIllinois coal field and all of it, except the southwestern portion, is underlainby rocks of the Pennsylvania!! system whose thickness varies from that ofa thin layer to 200 feet and which rest unconformably on the Kinderhookshale of the Mississippian system in the southern part of the area and on theSweetland Creek shale of the Devonian system in the northern part. In thesouthwestern part of the quadrangle there is one limited outcrop of the Bur-lington limestone and a considerable area in which the Kinderhook shale isnear the surface. In the west-central part of the area the Sweetland Creekshale seems to be the youngest consolidated formation, but it is everywheredeeply covered by Pleistocene deposits. Pleistocene deposits are everywherepresent; in some places their thickness is negligible, but in others it is asmuch as 195 feet.Structural GeologyStructure contour maps were prepared on the top of the Rock Island( Xo. 1) coal and the Colchester ( Xo. 2) coal, on the basis of outcrops, mineILLINOIS LEOLO.. IWSURVEY LIBRARYFEB 04 IS»J2 ILLINOIS PETROLEUMrecords, coal test borings, and wells penetrating the coal. These maps arenot here reproduced, as the areas in which records of the coal were obtainedare restricted to the northeastern and southeastern portions of the quad-rangle.The structure contour map shown in figure 2 is based on the logs of TOfarm and village wells which penetrate a water-bearing zone, situated at thebase of the Devonian (Cedar Valley) limestone, or at the top of the Silurian(Niagaran) dolomite. This zone has yielded water in all wells which weredrilled to its level. Its depth ranges from 310 to 528 feet in the recordsnow available, and its elevation above sea level from 165 to 386 feet.The surface elevations of the wells were determined by telescopic leveland plane table. Most of the depths of wells were obtained from both theowners and the drillers. The depth of the wells is used in preference to thebase of the Sweetland Creek shale, a horizon which was passed through inall these wells, because in many logs only the total depth was accuratelyrecorded.The stratigraphic horizon on which this map is based is a porous zonewhich apparently follows the line of contact between the Silurian and De-vonian limestones. Some of the irregularities in its surface may be the re-sult of erosion after the deposition of the Niagaran and before the depositionof the Cedar Valley, but the relief of such an erosional surface would prob-ably be slight.Since only three of the 70 records are located in the southeastern quarterof the quadrangle, the structure in that part of the area is extremely gen-eralized.The more pronounced structures indicated by the map include (a) ananticlinal nose pitching toward the southwest, which seems to flatten outnear the village of Little York, sees. 20 and 21, T. 12 N., R. 3 W., (b) ananticlinal nose pitching south or south-southwest, which appears to flattenin sees. 19 and 20, T. 12 N., R. 2 W., (c) a southeastward-pitching anticlinalnose which appears to flatten in sees. 13 and 24, T. 14 N., R. 3 W., and sees.18 and 19, T. 14 N., R. 2 W. A syncline pitching eastward is indicated inrecords from the Rock Island and Colchester coals. Its axis passes throughsees. 19. 20, and 21. T. 12 N., R. 1 W. There are no records of the pre-Pennsylvanian structure of this area, but it is probable that a syncline withsomewhat higher dips would be found in the pre-Pennsylvanian strata ifthey were tested.Previous Testing and Deep DrillingFour deep oil tests have been drilled up to the present. Three of thesewere carried into the Galena (Ordovician) dolomite and the fourth throughthis formation and the St. Peter sandstone.•SillOil. POSSIBILITIES OF THE ALEXIS qrADRANGI.EI"" —y—TI I llJO DAV.ESS . STEPHENSON i WINNEBAGO IbOONE 1T _ l--u.!-!iir—f—...i 1i,f WH.TESIOf|I,(1VAri)EAU I_/ I| PUTNAM I— "I DEKALBIII J_. OU PAGE I<COOK!S ""I MA-SHALLs t \ iV I WARREN ."Ti iFULT| McDGNOUGH ION /LJJ WOODFORDL_„-r.ZEWELL 'I IcLCtI"IB ii i"T"/ MASONl__SCHUYLER "" ~-/_, I | "" ';v. /\—-i ^ looan i ^^ I MENARO•cam;, y cass I _L- I If i.IBROWN/ |___, l_ ,,I11' ""ON|\ i f-,_ S^\ _--( ' M R C A N \ SANGAMONV, „,',1. \P.KE V'/\T---|.1CHR,STl«N II'ft EERSEY I:2. iMONTGOMERY|A Alexis quadrangleB Colmar Plymouth oil field,' T- C l,N,ON, sST CLAIR | s— rMONROE i*-w^-fSN^-'JI-. RANDOLPH PERRYl_S/ JACKSONT~I LEE,ETTE Il-7-CHAMPAIGN | VERMILIONI...DOUGLAS.r~) EDGARICOLES JI1.JCLARKCUMBERLANDn "S r'Ii i'JASPER CRAWFOWO tI '"1i, ;ASHINGTON"1 CLAY I\ UNION < JOHNS'RICHLAND ' LAWRENCEIHAMILTON I w H | | tIIr .SALiNE ' GALLATINI1/ '/•I > «~<A N IFig. 1. Index map of Illinois showing location of Alexis quadrangle andof the Colmar-Plymouth oil field.ILLINOIS PETROLEUM\\n Area deservingf||||> prospecting* Datum pointQ Water well penetrat.ngSt. Peter sandstoneOil tests$ Dry holePig. 2. Structure map of the Alexis quadrangle. Key horizon, Silurian-Devonianwater-bearing zone. (By H. R. Wanless, Illinois State Geological Survey.)OIL POSSIBILITIES OF THE ALEXIS QUADRANGLEDepthin feet_^_ B100- <200-=<X XXX XX300-400500600700-80090010001100-T~,~T^^/.//.// //.//T^=^II'zziz:j ii,.-',/ /,/, 7<oVo'PleistocenePennsylvanian andSweetland CreekCedar ValleyNiagaranMaquoketaGalenaSt Peter>t.o \.r-r-r.r o\-oT=^PleistoceneSweetland CreekCedar ValleyNiagaranMaquoketaGalenaSt Peter0.o r-'.o'•"o." IT=ELI //^ // , //.I! ' I~7~lI.1T~^I II JI./PleistoceneKinderhook andSweetland CreekCedar ValleyNiagaranMaquoketaGalenaSt PeterFig. 3. Generalized sections showing succession of strata in areas A, B, and C,figure 2. (By H. R. Wanless, Illinois State Geological Survey.)b ILLINOIS PETROLEUMOne test on the farm of H. E. Robbins, NW. yA NW. yA sec. 2, T. 13N., R. 2 W., was sunk to a depth of 1300 feet into the Shakopee dolomite,20 feet below the base of the St. Peter sandstone. The surface elevation is733 feet. According to Mr. B. McLaughlin of Viola, two oil shows wereencountered. The first was at a depth of about 800 feet in a sand 11 feetthick, which would be approximately at the top of the Galena dolomite be-low the Maquoketa shale. The other was at a depth of nearly 1200 feet, nearthe top of the St. Peter sandstone.A test on the farm of Will Laird, NW. l/4 SE. l/4 sec 14, T. 14 N., R.3. W., surface elevation 753 feet, was sunk to 912 feet and finished nearthe middle of the Galena dolomite. No shows of oil were reported except ata depth of 95 feet at the top of the Pennsylvanian. The oily substance foundhere may be the product of organic decay of the surface soil material underthe glacial drift, and no significance is attached to this report.A test situated in the alluvial plain of North Henderson Creek, on thefarm of Elder Smith, near the southern margin of the SE. yA S\Y. yA sec.19, T. 13 N., R. 2 W., surface elevation 028 feet, was sunk to a depth of885 feet, probably ending near the base of the Galena dolomite. Samplesat intervals of 5 feet from a depth of 200 feet to the bottom of the well wereexamined by the State Geological Survey. No shows of oil from this wellwere reported to the writer.A test situated on the Cook farm, near the SW. corner NW. yA SE. 34sec. 31, T. 14 N., R. 2 W., was sunk to a depth of 806 feet, probably end-ing near the top of the Galena dolomite. Neither details of the log nor re-ports regarding shows of oil were obtained for this test.Other wells which have entered the St. Peter sandstone, are the villagewell of Alexis. NE. yA NE. yA sec. 1, T. 12 N., R. 2 W., the village well ofViola which is situated in the NE. yA SE. yA sec. 15. T. 14 N., R. 2 W., twocity wells of Aledo, SW. l/A SE. yA sec. 17, T. 14 N., R. 3 W., and a waterwell drilled by the Alden Coal Company at Wanlock near the center of theN. line SW. ]/A sec. 9, T. 14 N., R. 2 W. City well No. 1, Aledo, was drilledto a depth of 3,165 feet, ending about 700 feet below the top of the Mt.Simon sandstone (Cambrian).Possible Oil-bearing HorizonsThe Pennsylvanian, Mississippian. and Devonian strata have beenpenetrated in so many water well borings in various parts of the quadranglethat the absence of any shows of oil or salt water may be taken as evidencethat no oil may be expected in these series of rocks. Analyses of water fromthe Silurian-Devonian water horizons from the village well of Little Yorkand from four farm wells in different parts of the quadrangle show waterof low salinity. In view of this fact, this porous horizon would not be ex-OIL POSSIBILITIES OF THE ALEXIS QUADRANGLE 7pected tn yield oil. The tibing sand, which is the producing sand in theColmar-Plymouth held in McDonough County, is situated at the hase of theSilurian system. Xo sand or other porous horizon is reported in the logsof wells penetrating the Maquoketa (Ordovician) shale below the Niagaran( Silurian ) dolomite. Massive dolomite directly overlies shale in all wellsof which logs are now available. If there are any porous horizons in theNiagaran or Maquoketa formations they are probably isolated pockets whichwould yield salty water.The Galena dolomite presents the most favorable possibilities for thecollection of oil in commercial quantities. Salty water is often encounteredin drillings which pass through this formation, and shows of oil have beenreported in various parts of it. Porous zones in it have produced oil in theWaterloo field, Monroe County. To test a structure adequately, drillingshould be carried down to the top of the St. Peter sandstone which wouldhe encountered at depths ranging from 1000 to 1300 feet in this quadrangle.Recommendations for TestingEach of the anticlinal noses mentioned above is outlined on very incom-plete data. Therefore two or more shallow tests might he justified to give abetter outline of the structure before deeper drilling is attempted. If suchshallow tests are made, they should be carried to the contact of the Sweet-land Creek shale and the top of the Devonian (Cedar Valley) limestone.This is the shallowest pre-Pennsylvanian guide horizon which will be en-countered at all points in the quadrangle. Depths to it should range fromabout -300 to 350 feet.None of the four oil tests so far made, and none of the deep waterwells appear to be located favorably for testing any of the structures. Areaswhich are considered most favorable for testing on the basis of data at pres-ent available are indicated on the map ( fig. 2 ) by shading. The successionof strata in each of these areas is shown in figure 3. Of the three areasindicated, that in the vicinity of Little York, sec. 21, T. 12 N., R. 3 \Y.,appears most favorable. That in sees, li) and 20, T. 12 X., R. 2 \\\, may beequally promising, but its structure is outlined by only two datum points.lest drilling through the Galena dolomite in these areas is recommend-ed on the basis of the considerations mentioned above. It should be em-phasized, however, that as yet no commercial yields of oil have been obtainedfrom the Galena (or "Trenton") in northern Illinois and that the nearest"Trenton" oil field, the Waterloo field in Monroe County, is approximately2oo mile> south of the Alexis quadrangle.ILLINOIS PETROLEITMOIL FIELD-OPERATIONS IN ILLINOIS DURING THE FIRSTQUARTER OF 1927By C. R. Clark and A. H. BellFor the first quarter of 11)27 the southeastern oil fields have shown themost activity in oil development in Illinois. In this territory Wabash Countyleads, both in total number of completions and in the number of new pro-ducers developed. Lawrence and Crawford counties follow rather closelyin number of tests, but were of considerably less importance in the develop-ment of new production. Some activity was shown in Clark County wherethere were five completions.The only other area in which there has been noticeable activity is inthe western part of the State near Jacksonville, Morgan County. Here therewere five completions.The rather high percentage of producing wells drilled in Wabash andLawrence counties is due, no doubt, to the locating of tests near proven pro-duction. Nearly all the tests were either on inside locations or on locationsnear producing wells.Drilling in the various fields has been greatly impeded by poor weatherand road conditions, and to some extent by the sharp reduction in the priceof crude petroleum. With the approach of warmer weather and betteroperating conditions greater activity may be expected, especially in WabashCounty where an attempt will be made to extend the good production foundon the J. C. Sparks farm north of Allendale and on the A. B. Keen farmeast of Friendsville.The discovery of a good gas sand at a depth of 435 feet on the Wilier-ton farm, east of Jacksonville, Morgan County, may lead to further testingin that locality.In other parts of the State the usual amount of testing and wildcatdrilling may be expected.Table 1 summarizes operations during the period of three months end-ing March 31, 1927.OH. FIELD OPERATIONS IN II-UNOI.-<<RemarksaoCDS3ao-(Xa £*"CO3pqFarmandwellNo.Companydcooo"cooEhoco o oo* [- oS3 tom S3CO££ ffit- M H Hz zS3 ^ M Mc s- S-£ pq mS SQ £ £ £ £« © !D M noJ3 J3Ml MUJ Jo o02 W—Pc3ooot- m01 « *COc-OO mCO ooOS O000 >> O >> COF-i Oil FhQ Q^4QCD O COa> S9 °» COdCDg rt pu ^«pq S ^ W pqffi ^ | K otCO<l J hMl 2K Ehi-; ph'« j za £ jear is rto. cao ° 5 *CO rgO mCO ^.• CD5 Q« J3CO ^S- COu pqW—cSh03 <D._>Xj pq°CD £js- pqCD —Ml OCOX o > < Xco .dO Oo_- OOcci .r-l-u°. CD ZOz a 6^°E atS °a"" °eg eg ira r^ 00 00 CO T—1eg co co r~ 03 OS C5 OtH tH <M T—I i—1 CM CM eg eg coCDCDUCDCDOCDOW)dsoM43CDa-T^ S3 dCO o rt oS o o<d a J J -. s pqSWCDO-— OJCO03 s >Tia hi COO O Jo10 ILLINOIS PKTBOLKUilRemarksDrilledtoSt.PetersandstonePluggedbacktosandat614McCloskysandBuchanansandBuchanansandKirkwoodandTracysandsTracysandsos-aCDST-H<d £;r\ OSCD ^P_oo3oCm Bbls.Depth FeetC3 O00 OSCO HtH in1290 1878CNI © O t-i> oj E^ c*qCO CO CO COt-H tH t-H t-HCD M lO ^ * LOOOiLCO-W !D » ^ IO TP ^ W CO Ifli—li—ItHi-Ht-H ,—i t—i i—1 i—I i—1o >>Qo oCO CxiCM "*< © lOt-H T-H CMLO O >> LO O OOOlOb^l>-h t^ CO CO CO I> (N JL,P ^ PFarmandwellNo.EllenLutzJ.R.MiddaughJ.E.LingenfelterA.B.BuchananJohnPottsL.M.SeedNo.19EllenLutzEllenLutzC.M.IrvineW.H.DinningH.C.YeltonNo.4A.B.KeenNo.1J.0.WoodsNo.4AlkaHeirsNo.4W.W.BarneyNo.1JesseCiselNo.2JohnBreenNo.5JohnBreenNo.6CatherineKeyserNo.6CatherineKeyserNo.7>>cOS»5oUBigFourOilCo.,No.3OhioOilCo.KewaneeOilCo.,No.24OhioOilCo.,No.18Treat-HaysOilCo.BigFourOilCo.OhioOilCo.,No.8OhioOilCo.,No.9OhioOilCo.,No.9A.Brunner,etal.,No.12Wm.Bell,etalMillerandLenglesonWoodsFarmOilCo.J.S.Young,Jr.,etalJ.S.Young,Jr.,etalJ.S.Young,Jr.,etalBreenOilCo.BreenOilCo.Wirebach,Young,etalWirebach,Young,etalooaooo>W©CM t-ItH © t-H tH tH CO COON CO T-H n n n IM O) COU3 Oi OS t-H tH N N (N CO COCO15oEhoCOpFriendsvilleWabash3oOtoc_o«l.a aCO c133 £« oOIL FIELD OPERATIONS IN ILLINOIS 11^r -j:<u edbX M oM oS —«-H -4_>C^ X od« —nriCJCOOMl Os *S oCJ ^--aCO <Nt- ccO CI CM -^ OC— CO CD O C3Tf Tf 1ft CI ^fo >> O K5 >> OoOo.- O—. o~ ZX >h a; —N g I * a?CO p•g s j ffi oa3 CPm —ccirt02 W>-3 O •-5 !-5 O l-S5 £ «i=3 & d • is *°-i z 1? J^ - . J • d =CS hn M)CO CS .O fc J3Ml ™ u 01 O-p 3 a> icd 3 o o>o »| >;>< ^ « j««j W cu .a) . £ n d.=J S .w = W == W ^ M ^S o < m ^ § ^ <i g <t'MtDNCD'fffJtOHMccioQdo1-3 KJ Pp CO 4J , ;C3 MCCS y-i0)^_,zc83oOoOooj od 3 ooo—-~Oo,3—.CD oooCOcaMl-U CN tt! CMrH * T(< iS* c O oc00 ec CO •*?-> >> in >> >>s- tH t- J-Q Q C Q1-1<* inOz o dz6z>>,d. r*! o a d& co£ £ d CO »^<tiIs720)o oMcCTravidConlSiM)feEH §&' fe a^ £ a ?0<!0 d ^15o o—CO--s.M 0)s s- T.c3 Z0>CO-X HCO ___ „OS™"CQ +J -M« " CP o>a ^ ^0) ^i ^CQ W W00 00 CO 0005 P5HCS OQ §c3^2s&q ffis s12 ILLINOIS PETROLEUMcasDrilling DrillingooOS-.Q *03fflFarmandwellNo.aoOB.S.Mason,etalJ.L.Palmeroooa_ooowTownshipT.1N.,R.8W.T.26N.,R.3W.County-ZXaIE-

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/43167/areasforfurtherp04moul.pdf?sequence=2

Oil possibilities of the Alexis quadrangle, Mercer and Warren Counties, Illinois

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

IDEALS @ Illinois

Illinois Digital Environment for Access to Learning and Scholarship Repository