PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 435 



premises. For each completed well, if successful, a rental of $25 

 a year was to be paid. About 13,000 acres were taken up, 

 but the rate of rental was soon reduced to $1 an acre annually 

 and has since been cut down to still smaller figures. 



The first well was located in the valley of Sandy Creek between 

 the two villages. The rock at this point is overlaid with only a 

 very shallow covering of drift. A little gas was struck when 

 the rock had been penetrated a few hundred feet, but presently 

 the drilling tools got fast and the company, being dissatisfied 

 with the contractor, shut down the work. The next year, 1889, 

 operations were resumed under a new contractor. The tools 

 were got free and the drilling was carried deeper. More gas 

 was struck as they descended but the rock pressure was compara- 

 tively feeble, reaching only 80 pounds to the square inch. Sev- 

 eral pockets of gas were struck as the drill went down, in which 

 much higher pressure was shown. At times water froze around 

 the tools, owing to the rapid expansion of the released gas. The 

 village was forthwith piped and the utilization of the gas was 

 begun in the same year. 



The use of the new fuel has gone forward without interrup- 

 tion to the present time and this first well has played an impor- 

 tant part in the supply. In August 1897, its pressure was found 

 to be 60 pounds, a fall of but 20 pounds in eight years of large 

 but not constant use. Its pressure has sometimes been higher 

 than when the well was first opened, suggestive of the idea that 

 it may be borrowing gas from other areas of rock near by. The 

 highest figure that has been noted is 100 pounds. When the well 

 is steadily used the pressure declines, but by resting, it is usually 

 restored. This well has proved an excellent supply. It is good 

 for 30,000 to 40,000 feet a day. The company has drilled 18 

 wells in all, and so far has discarded but one as without value. 

 Salt water has been found in but two of the number; in one of 

 them at 900 feet and in another at 35 feet below the top of the 

 Trenton. 



Well no. 2 is located one half mile down the creek. It was 

 drilled to a depth of 1080 feet. In its early history it met with' 

 a misfortune by which its value has been impaired. The casing 

 collapsed and the well was flooded with fresh water for some 

 time. It has not proved as valuable a source of gas on this ac- 



