GEOLOGIC RECONNAISSANCE OF THE PIDATAN OIL 
_ FIELD, COTABATO PROVINCE, MINDANAO 
By WARREN D. SMITH 
Head, Department of Geology, University of Oregon; ana Acting Chief, 
Division of Mines, Bureau of Science, Manila 
TWO PLATES AND THREE TEXT FIGURES 
CONTENTS 
INTRODUCTION. ECOoNoMICc. 
GENERAL RESULTS. Description of Pidatan oil seep. 
GEOGRAPHIC. Source of the oil. 
Location. Analysis of the oil. 
Topography. Exploitation. 
Transportation. Labor. 
Climate. Hints to explorers. 
Population. Geologic explorations. 
GEOLOGIC. CONCLUSION. 
General statement. ; APPENDIX, 
Table of stratigraphy. 
Description of formations. 
INTRODUCTION 
During the latter part of February and the early part of 
March, 1921, the writer was engaged in a geologic reconnais- 
sance in the vicinity of the Pidatan oil seep in the northern part 
of Cotabato Province, Mindanao, just south of the boundary 
between Lanao and Cotabato. He was detailed by the Governor- 
General to accompany the party of Mr. M. L. Benedum, a prom- 
inent oil operator of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. W. C. 
Spooner, chief geologist for the firm of Benedum and Treves, 
was also a member of the party, and the following report is a 
summary of the findings of the work done jointly by Mr. 
Spooner and the writer. However, the writer alone is responsi- 
ble for the statements contained in this article. 
On March 9 the Bureau of Science issued a press bulletin 
(No. 99) which was prepared by the writer, giving the general 
results of this expedition. As all details had to be eliminated 
from the bulletin it has been thought advisable to publish fur- 
ther, more-detailed information. about this region for the ben- 
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