SANTA CLARA VALLEY: HOPPER-PIRU FIELDS. 
75 ' 
45° to 60° or 70° S. and the strike varies slightly on either side of east 
and west. The particular horizon in the Fernando is somewhat 
uncertain, by reason of the proximity of the wells to what appears 
to be a line of unconformity between this formation and the older 
Modelo beds. It is, however, undoubtedly well up in the Fernando, 
if the section across the hills in front of the wells and directly north 
of Camulos is to be taken as a criterion. 
The structural position of the wells is also somewhat in doubt, for 
no anticline is encountered along the creek for the distance of a mile. 
On the other hand, there is .within half a mile south of the wells a 
marked east-west disturbance, which has at one point the appear¬ 
ance of a syncline, at another of an overturn of the beds adjacent to 
a sharp crumple, and at still another of a fault. About half a mile 
northwest of the wells is the anticline, near the axis of which the 
Nigger Canyon wells are situated. It is possible that the effect of 
this anticline extends as far distant from its axis as this group of w^ells. 
They are from 300 to 600 feet deep, and undoubtedly their oil is 
derived from the conglomerate and sandstone of the Fernando, a 
horizon higher than any other yielding oil north of Santa Clara River. 
The production of these wells is but a barrel or two daily of what 
is said to be 15° gravity oil. The oil is black and thick, and much 
water is pumped with it, separation being effected in tanks. 
Several other wells have been drilled on the property of the Piru 
Oil and Land Company lying along Piru Creek, extending from the 
mouth nearly to Reasoner Canyon. These ventures, however, have 
not been crowned with success. 
WELLS OF HOLSER CANYON. 
Less than half a mile south of Holser Canyon is one of the more 
prominent anticlines that have affected the Fernando formation east 
of Piru Creek. The continuation of this anticline to the west w r as 
not determined, but from its position and trend it may pass into the 
Modelo fold; on the other hand, like so many other folds in this region, 
it may spring from the system w r est of Piru Creek, but maintain an 
independent position east of the stream. 
Two wells, the Ramona and New Camulos, are located a little 
south of the axis of this anticline, in tributaries of Holser Canyon, 
and north of the canyon, between half a mile and a mile north of the 
axis, is the Crown King. None of these wells has yet found oil. 
The rocks of Holser Canyon are conglomerate and sandstone, with 
local beds of argillaceous shale. Some of the sandstone shows the 
presence of a considerable amount of bitumen throughout its mass 
and it is probable that drilling operations are conducted here on this 
account. 
