PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 475 



the expansive power of the gas. There is a certain unexplained 

 relation between the rock pressure and the depth at which the 

 gas is found. To the understanding of this relation we may con- 

 fidently expect to attain, as intelligent exploration goes for- 

 ward. 



The conclusions, then, in regard to the rock pressure of gas 

 are as follows: First, there is a pressure arising from the ex- 

 pansive power of the gas itself, and this, so far as observation 

 is concerned, reaches its highest mark in the Monroe well at Bald- 

 winsville, namely, 1540 pounds to the square inch at a depth of 

 2370 feet. Second, when the stratum that holds the gas is porous 

 and continuous, it must contain water, fresh or salt, in some por- 

 tion of its extent. Whenever this water shows itself under ar- 

 tesian pressure it must of necessity exert on the oil or gas with 

 which it is in contact the same force that causes the water itself 

 to rise. The rock pressure of the gas can then be measured by 

 the weight of the salt water column. Enough observations are 

 on record to establish this deduction on a solid foundation. But 

 it is possible that the expansive power of the gas may exceed the 

 pressure which the water column would put on it. In this case 

 this element will escape observation altogether. This explana- 

 tion of rock pressure imperiously requires certain conditions, 

 viz, a continuous porous stratum rising somewhere to day and 

 thus acquiring artesian pressure. 



In the development of the Baldwinsville field no theory found 

 place in the location of the earliest wells. Convenience alone 

 was consulted as to where they should be placed. The northeast 

 line, which is based on sound geologic observation in Pennsyl- 

 vania and western New York, but which is generally a delusion 

 and superstition when applied to other territory, was introduced 

 by the drillers after gas was discovered. An amusing instance 

 occurred in connection with its application to the location of the 

 Binning well. 



It is important to the contractor who drills a well to find gas 

 as soon as possible for the boiler that supplies the drilling power. 

 The first gas to be found in any of these wells is in the white 

 Medina sandstone. The Talmage well, no. 1, found gas enough 

 for this service in the horizon named. The Wells well had also 

 the same good fortune. The contractor who was to drill the 



