CHAPTER XVI. 

 COST OF DRILLING AND CASING. 



Variability of Cost of Wells. As pointed out on another page 

 (p. 74) the cost of wells is exceedingly variable in different parts 

 of the country, the prices charged depending almost entirely on 

 local conditions. Where the conditions that the driller is to en- 

 counter in sinking a well are definitely known, the price is almost 

 invariably lower than where wells are drilled in new territory. 

 Thus, in many of the drift regions of Michigan, where the driller 

 has learned by experience that the materials to be penetrated 

 are likely to present no obstacles to driving, he will in many in- 

 stances sink a 5O-foot well and equip it with a pump for $15. In 

 Massachusetts, where the driller is less familiar with the con- 

 ditions, $i a foot is often charged for a well drilled in precisely 

 the same type of materials. 



In the oil regions, wells are frequently sunk in the shales and 

 sandstones for 75 to 90 cents a foot, although elsewhere $3 a 

 foot is often considered a fair price for drilling in shale. In 

 granite, the cost commonly varies from $3 to $10 a foot, while 

 the usual charge for wells in limestone is from $.50 to $2 a foot. 



Cost of Casing. - - The cost of casing, like that of drilling, is 

 quite variable, changing from week to week, according to the 

 quotation for iron, and differing greatly according to length of 

 railroad transportation, haulage, etc. 



The smallest size pipes, such as are used in driven wells, com- 

 monly range in size from I to 2 inches and in cost from 10 to 

 20 cents per foot. Four-inch casings usually cost from 40 

 to 50 cents a foot, while for larger sizes the price increases 

 about 20 cents a' foot for each increase of an inch in diameter, 

 or up to $2 a foot for a 1 2-inch casing. 



The casing used in wells sunk by the California or stovepipe 

 method are of riveted steel and come in 2-foot lengths. The 

 prices range from about 35 cents per foot for 4-inch casing up to 

 $i for lo-inch casing, varying somewhat with the thickness. 



118 



