154 OTL FIELDS OF TEXAS-LOUISIANA COASTAL PLAIN, [bull.212. 
contains members of a hydrocarbon series C n H 2n -2, which, although 
saturated, are readily attacked Iry cold nitric acid. Similar com- 
pounds are found in Russian and Californian oils and in Trinidad 
asphalt. 
Mabery and Buck a have also investigated the constitution of the 
Beaumont oil and conclude that fractions distilling between 150° C. 
and 300° C. contain hydrocarbons of the series C n H 2n -2 and C n H 2n -4. 
ASSOCIATED HYDROCARBONS. 
NATURAL GAS. 
Throughout the whole of the Gulf Coastal Plain wherever any oil 
has been found, it is always accompanied by considerable quantities 
of natural gas; indeed, this form of hydrocarbon is more widely dis- 
tributed than the oil, and at several localities it is found unaccom- 
panied by oil. Among the most remarkable of these gas wells are 
those at Bryan Heights, Brazoria County, and Big Hill, Matagorda 1 
County. The gas horizon was struck at 900 to 1,000 feet and the 
initial pressure was sufficient to blow out tools and casing and wreck 
the derrick. The flow from each of these wells was estimated from 
5,000,000 to 6,000,000 cubic feet per day. All efforts to control the 
flow of gas have proved unsuccessful and they have been abandoned. 
The composition of the gas lias not been carefully investigated, but 
it is known to contain, in addition to the light hydrocarbons of ordi- 
nary natural gas, a large proportion of sulphureted hydrogen. 
Hence, while the gas is inflammable and may be used with advantage 
under boilers standing in the open, and is so used extensively on 
Spindletop, it is not suitable for domestic use or where the products 
of combustion would be objectionable. It is highly probable that this! 
gas will be utilized in future for developing heat in such industrial 
processes as burning brick, evaporating salt, etc. It is as yet a wholly! 
undeveloped industry, being entirely overshadowed by the produc- 
tion and marketing of the oil. 
WELL PHENOMENA. 
WELL PRESSURE. 
At numerous points in the Coastal Plain oil field, but particularly' 
at the Spindletop pool, the oil issues from its reservoir under great! 
pressure, producing the familiar phenomenon of gushing. Just how< 
great the pressure has been in the Spindletop wells is not known, buj 
it certainly varies between wide limits. In some wells it has shown 
almost explosive violence, blowing out casing and breaking heavy! 
cast-iron valves. This maximum pressure has never been even 
&Jour. Am. Chem. Soc, Vol. XXII, 1900, pp. 553-556. 
