[boyle-tory] physical TEST ON A NATURAL GAS WELL 145 



let valve of about 200 pounds per square inch. Unfortunately, a 

 period of only 20 hours' duration could be given to this test. At the 

 end of this period of flow, against the pressure mentioned, the well 

 maintained for one and one-half hour a continuous flow of 1,020,000 

 cubic feet per 24 hours, at a temperature of 29°F. The temperature 

 of the gas was lower in the present case than that of the open flow on 

 account of the greater expansion of the gas on reaching the open 

 atmosphere. After this flow against a pressure the well was again 

 put on open flow for a few minutes, and was found to be delivering 

 at the rate of 2,200,000 cubic feet per 24 hours. These figures illus- 

 trate the approximate, empirical rule, sometimes quoted by well 

 drillers, viz., if a well is put to flow against a pressure equal to 

 about one-half its closed pressure, the flow will be at about one- 

 half the rate of its open flow. 



There was no sign of water being delivered with the gas when 

 it was flowing against a pressure. The water came only after an open 

 flow had proceeded for some time. Except in the case of the seven 

 days' blow-ofif test referred to above, the gas was always able to clear 

 itself of water on being allowed to flow a little while. 



NOTE: — An experiment was performed on a sample of the gas to find if it showed 

 any signs of radioactivity or not. The liquid, and gases from the liquid, of natural 

 hot springs and of petroleum wells, are often radioactive on account of the presence 

 of small quantities of radium emanation; but very often we know nothing about the 

 depth from which these liquids come, and knowledge on the point is desirable for many 

 problerrts. In the Case of the present gas well we know approximately the depth from 

 which the gas was produced, viz., about 2,300 feet, and it was of interest to find out 

 if the gas were radioactive or not. The experiment showed, however, no trace 

 whatever of any radioactive matter in the gas. 



University of Alberta, Edmonton, 

 March, 1915. 



