PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS IN NEW YORK 465 



larger than the wells that surrounded it, passed hurriedly to 

 the conclusion that it was the greatest gas well ever found in 

 the world. 



The phenomena of a large gas well when first opened and be- 

 fore it has been brought under control are certainly impressive 

 and newspaper reporters may well be pardoned for exaggeration 

 in describing them. Strong words and vivid description are 

 needed to convey to others the impression by which those on 

 the scene are overpowered. 



In reality the Binning well does not take a high rank among 

 gas wells, so far as volume is concerned. It is credited with 

 3. 122,000 cubic feet a day from a three inch pipe. In other 

 words it is a respectable, but not a great well. To warrant its 

 being included in the latter class its volume would need to be 

 multiplied at least threefold. 



Its rock pressure when first measured was, however, clearly of 

 the first order. The gage recorded 1135 pounds and in August, 

 when measured for the survey it had risen to 1180 pounds. It 

 never reached the amazing figure reported for well no. 1, viz, 

 1540 pounds, the highest figure yet published from any gas well 

 of the country. It will be remembered that this well, when 

 measured in August 1897, showed a pressure of 1300 pounds. Af- 

 ter the drilling of the Binning well the pressure of the Monroe 

 well began to decline slowly, while the gage showed an increase 

 in the pressure of the former. To those conversant with the 

 facts it looked as if the wells w T ere in some way in underground 

 communication, and as if equalization of pressure would ulti- 

 mately result. The longer experience to the present date will 

 settle all questions of this kind. 



The next successful attempt to reach the Trenton limestone 

 was made by the Empire Portland cement co., near its works at 

 Warners, on the New York central railroad, about six miles due 

 south of Baldwinsville. This well reached the Trenton at 2696 

 feet, but the tools got fast soon afterward and several months 

 were spent in freeing them. The w T ell was finally completed in 

 September 1897, a depth of 3526 feet having been reached. A 

 small volume of gas w T as obtained but not enough, in itself con- 

 sidered, to justify the amount expended in sinking the well. The 

 abbreviated record of this well and a second well, located one 



