COAL    AND    OIL    IN    UINTA    COUNTY,   WYO.  353 
RESUME    OF    OIL    SITUATION,  WITH    SUGGESTIONS. 
The  best  oil  territory  in  this  region  is  between  the  axis  of  the  Lazeart  syncline  and  the 
outcrop  of  the  oil-bearing  shales  west  of  the  Meridian  anticline  (PI.  XI).  The  oil-bearing 
horizon  is  low  in  the  Benton,  and  the  oil  is  of  high  grade,  carrying  a  large  percentage  of 
illuminants  and  a  paraffin  base. 
The  whole  territory  underlain  by  the  Benton  shales  may  be  expected  to  yield  oil  of  the 
same  character  as  that  found  at  Spring  Valley,  and  a  considerable  oil  field  is  thus  out- 
lined. Present  developments  indicate  that  the  quantity  obtained  will  increase  toward  the 
axis  of  the  Lazeart  syncline. 
A  single  well  has  shown  the  presence  of  lower  oil  horizons  yielding  heavy  lubricating 
oil.  These  are  probably  Jurassic,  and  prospecting  for  them  should  first  be  carried  on 
along  the  Meridian  anticline.  Success  at  this  point  would  suggest  that  similar  develop- 
ments be  undertaken  west  of  Rock  Creek. 
In  developing  this  section  wells  should  preferably  be  placed  in  valleys,  first,  because 
such  locations  will  save  much  needless  drilling;  second,  because  a  water  supply  can  often 
be  obtained  in  shallow  bored  wells  in  such  locations;  and  third,  because  supplies  can  be 
transmitted  more  cheaply. 
Between  the  Absaroka  fault  and  the  Rock  Creek-Needles  anticlinal  this  principal  oil- 
bearing  horizon  is  in  general  either  deeply  buried  or  absent  and  is  not  of  probable  economic 
importance. 
West  of  the  Rock  Creek-Needles  anticlinal  the  rocks  are  all  older  than  the  Benton  oil- 
bearing  shales,  with  the  exception  of  the  Evanston  and  Tertiary  beds,  which  are  not  oil 
bearing. 
UNDERGROUND   WATERS. 
The  coarse  beds  in  the  Wasatch  have  yielded  flowing  water  in  several  wells  near  Fossil 
and  in  Betty's  well  between  Evanston  and  Hilliard.  The  Wasatch  beds  here  have  been 
tilted  into  a  gentle  syncline  by  movements  along  the  Absaroka  fault  and  the  Rock  Creek- 
Needles  anticlinal.  In  all  deep  valleys  between  these  two  structural  features  similar 
flowing  wells  are  to  be  expected  (PI.  XI).  At  Fossil  the  water  is  brackish  and  of  no  evi- 
dent economic  importance.  At  Betty's  well,  however,  it  is  reported  of  good  quality,  and 
similar  flowing  water  may  confidently  be  expected  throughout  that  portion  of  Bear  River 
Valley  and  in  Needle,  Goodwin,  and  Yellow  creeks.  In  the  bottoms  along  Bear  River  it 
will  develop  a  very  considerable  head. 
