24 PETROLEUM OF PACIFIC COAST OF ALASKA. [bull. 250. 
Another well on the north bank of Katalla River, about 2 miles 
above the town of Katalla, was begun by the same company during 
July. 1903. The latest information which the author has received is 
that it was drilled to a depth of 240 feet without reaching solid rock. 
A third company began drilling in July 1903, about 7 miles above 
the mouth of Bering River. At last reports this well had attained 
a depth of 580 feet and bed rock had not been reached. 
Fifteen wells had been drilled or were drilling in this region in 
September, 1904. Of these, two are in the Katalla Valley, one is 
3 miles east of Katalla near Cave Point, two are on Strawberry 
Harbor, nine are between the head of Katalla Slough and the mouth 
of Bering River, and one is on Bering River about 4 miles above 
its mouth. Of these wells, three (one in the Katalla Valley, one 
on Strawberry Harbor, and one on Bering River) were abandoned 
before reaching bed rock. Four of them (one in the Katalla Valley, 
one at Strawberry Harbor, and two west of the mouth of Bering- 
River) are still drilling. Of the remaining eight wells, three were 
mentioned in an earlier report." One of these is now furnishing oil 
which is used as fuel at the other wells of the same company. No 
statistics regarding the present production of the well are at hand, 
nor is it known how much greater the yield might be if the well were 
pumped continuously. 
The amount of authentic information which has been given out for 
publication regarding these wells is extremely small. 
It is reported that none of the remaining five wells has produced 
oil in commercial quantities. But it is furthermore said that none of 
them has reached a depth exceeding 1,100 feet, in which case it may 
be assumed that the possibilities of the held have not yet been con- 
clusively tested. 
Mr. F. II. Oliphant, in summarizing the developments during 1903, 
said of this field : * 
" The developments in Alaska during 1903 have not resulted in any 
commercial production of petroleum, notwithstanding the numerous 
surface indications and the wells that have been completed in the 
supposed productive territory. The prospectors should not, how- 
ever, be discouraged, although it may require patience and careful 
prospecting with the drill to tap the reservoirs, whose existence seems 
to be indicated by remarkable surface shows of both petroleum and 
natural gas." 
Great difficulty has been experienced in all parts of the field in 
keeping the holes straight and free from water. This has made 
progress very slow and deep drilling sometimes impossible. Perhaps 
« Bull. U. S. Oeol. Survey No. 225. 1004, pp. 368-3G9. 
6 The production of petroleum in 1003: Mineral Resources U. S. for 1903, U. S. Geoi. 
Survey, 1004, p. 690. 
