Volume 15 Number 12 
BULLETIN 
of the 
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF 
PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS 
DECEMBER 1931 
UTILIZATION OF EXISTING WELLS IN SEISMOGRAPH WORK! 
BURTON McCOLLUM? and WILTON W. LARUE: 
Houston, Texas 
ABSTRACT 
The writers describe a method of utilizing a well in a seismic exploration of the 
surrounding area for deep domes, with particular reference to a supposed dome near 
the well which, for any reason, may have missed its objective. Most of the paper is 
devoted to methods of utilizing a well near the flank of a salt dome for the purpose of 
making a seismic profile deep down the flanks. These methods are especially adapted 
to determining the extent of ‘‘mushrooming”’ such as that existing at Barbers Hill 
and the Allen dome. 
The present economic status of the oil industry, regardless of its 
cause, is having the effect of directing considerable attention to improved 
efficiency in prospecting and production methods. In this connection, 
geophysicists have devoted much thought and effort to developing more 
accurate means for determining well locations. Some of the more recent 
seismic methods which have been proved successful are explained here 
in a qualitative manner with the intention of avoiding burdensome 
mathematics. 
EXPLORING FOR VERY DEEP DOMES 
During the past year or more, use has been made of existent wildcat 
wells for the purpose of making a seismic exploration of the surrounding 
tRead before the Association at the San Antonio meeting, March 21, 1931. Man- 
uscript received, May 28, 1931. Published by permission of McCollum Exploration 
Company. 
2President and technical director, McCollum Exploration Company, Esperson 
Building. Introduced by George M. Bevier. 
3Geophysicist, McCollum Exploration Company. 
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