202 NOETUNG: PETROLEUM IN BURMA. 



are at present (February 1895) 67 wells in working order, the total 

 number of drilled wells cannot therefore have been less than 80. 



These 80 wells are distributed over the area of the Yenangyoung 

 oil field in the following manner : — 



70 were drilled at the central part of the field, Kodoung. 

 2 (No. 44 and 45) were drilled in blocks N. i and N. 2, north of the Twingon reserve. 

 I (No. 68) was drilled west of the Twingon reserve. 

 7 (Nos. I to VII) were drilled in block S. I and S. 2, and south of the Beme reserve. 



The greatest depth reached was i,oii feet from the surface; 

 this bore has, however, been abandoned as it yielded no oil. But 

 by far the majority of wells have only reached a depth of between 

 300 and 400 feet from the surface ; they are therefore comparatively 

 shallow wells. 



2. Production of the drilled wells. — As this is the most import- 

 ant feature, I tried to secure as much reliable information as possible 

 in this matter, but unfortunately those things which are of import- 

 ance to the scientific observer are not always of the same interest 

 to the practical man. His sole aim is a high production, and to 

 o-et this as quick as possible his chief interest ; but still features in 

 the production have been ascertained which are worth mentioning. 



The highest daily production of one well hitherto observed, was 

 13,000 viss or nearly 130 barrels of 42 gallons. This may be a 

 lar^e yield for Burma, but it is insignificant with that observed at 

 the wells of Baku or the United States. 



It has also been observed that the yield of a freshly drilled well 

 is very considerable during the first few days, it then generally 

 falls rapidly off for a short time and eventually settles down to a 

 certain quantity, which it keeps for years. The remarkable feature is 

 that some wells, although they have steadily produced oil for at least 

 six years, have shown no signs of exhaustion yet. 



The following table will show the monthly production of the 

 drilled wells in the Yenangyoung oil field : — 

 ( 248 ) 



