Application of Geological Principles To Exploration For Oil and Gas in Kansas

Application of Geological Principles to Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas
Author(s): B. W. Beebe
Source: Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science (1903-), Vol. 67, No. 2 (Summer, 1964),
pp. 256-280
Published by: Kansas Academy of Science
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3626658
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Application of Geological Principles to Exploration

For Oil and Gas in Kansas'
B. W. BEEBE
Early History
The Kansas oil industrycelebratedits 100th birthdayin 1960. Oil
was firstfound near Paola in 1860 in a well 275 feet in depth. In 1884,
naturalgas was transportedto Paola througha pipeline froma fieldseven
miles eastward. About 1886, the firstrefinerywas built at Paola.
Despite considerable drilling activityin Eastern Kansas, only six
counties produced about 74,000 barrels of oil in 1900 (Jewett, 1954,
Table 2, p. 19) from 108 producing wells (Oliphant, 1904, p. 666).
Most of the early drilling was apparentlynear oil and gas seeps, "on
trend", controlled by creekology,"doodlebugs", or purely random in
character. Jewett(1954, p. 23) reportsthat ErasmuthHaworth, J. W.
Beede and John Bennettwere applying geologic principlesto the occurrenceof oil and gas by the earlypart of this century. By 1908, Haworth
(1908, pp. 161-179) had recognizedthe relationshipof lenticularsand
bodies and anticlinalstructureto the accumulationof oil and gas.
The real impetusto oil and gas developmentwas the discoveryof the
huge Eldorado field on a dome in 1915 as a resultof geological work by
Haworth and others. Development spread rapidly both east and west.
The next 15 years marked the developmentof most of the "shoestring
sands" fieldsin Butler,Greenwood and Cowley Counties.
Although gas had been known in Rice County before the turn of
the century,firstoil productionin Western Kansas was the unimportant
Walton fieldin Harvey County. The discoverywell of the huge Hugoton
gas field was completed in 1922. The Fairportfield was discoveredin
Russell County on a large surface anticline in 1923, and Kansas had
entered the ranks of the importantoil producing states.
Importanceof Oil and Gas to Kansas
At the end of 1962, oil and gas were economicallyby far the two
most importantmineral resourcesproduced in Kansas, and were among
the state's principal sources of income. Kansas ranked sixth among the
states in annual productionand seventhin estimatedproved reservesof
Kansas
crude oil. In productionand reservesof all liquid hydrocarbons,
Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, Vol. 67, No. 2, 1964.
Published September 18, 1964.
* Symposiumpaper presentedbeforethe geologysectionof the Kansas Academyof Science
Meeting, Emporia, on May 1, 1964.
[256]
GeologicalExploration
for Oil and Gas in Kansas
257
rankedseventh. Kansas was thirdin reservesand fifthin rankin marof crudeoil fromapproxof naturalgas. Production
ketedproduction
in 1962, butvalue
imately
46,750 wells in 21 countiesdecreasedslightly
of NGL increased19%,
showeda slightincreaseover1961. Production
and value of NGL increased20% so that both volumeand value of
of
in 1962. Marketedproduction
increasedslightly
liquidhydrocarbons
naturalgas and value was at an all timehigh,and gainedsevenpercent
over1961.
On the otherside of the ledger,however,were disturbing
signs.
in
to
in
1962
1141
from
1961
declined
957
drilled
wells
Exploratory
seismic
of
months
Crew
work,
gener(Kuklis et al., 1963, pp. 5-14).
of futureexploratory
drilling,declinedto 28, the
ally a fairbarometer
lowestsince1947. (Hambleton& Merriam,1957; Neal J. Smith,1963)
Post WorldWar II History
value and
a
continued
1962
production,
generaldeclinein reserves,
of crude
in
the
case
as
as
1954
which
began early
activity
exploratory
the
alone
of
value
and
oil reserves.Naturalgas production
hydrocarbons
have increasedoverthepast severalyears.
Figure I (API-AGA, 1946-62) (Minerals Yearbooks,1946-62)
reachedtheirpeak in 1955,
showsthatreservesof liquid hydrocarbons
RESERVES
1200
-
co 1000
600
600
3.00
/-r
PRICE
-J
0-
2.00w
m 400
200 20
Ir
1946
1948
1950
1952
I I
1954
P RODUCTION
I
1956
I I
1958
1960
1962
.oo
ESTIMATED PROVED RECOVERABLE RESERVES a

PRODUCTION OF LIQUID HYDROCARBONS
KANSAS 1946 - 1962
SOURCES:A.PI & A.G.A.
and
FigureI. EstimatedProvedReservesand Productionof Liquid Hydrocarbons,
AverageValue per Barrelat Well Head, Kansas,1964-1962.
Transactions
KansasAcademyof Science
258
and have declinedsteadilyand by nearlytwelvepercentsincethattime.

has droppedfroma peak of 129.3 millionbarrels,valuedat
Production
an estimated
394.1 millionsof dollars,to 119.7 millionbarrelsvaluedat
340 milliondollars. The loss in gross value of liquid hydrocarbon
amountsto 54.1 milliondollars,or nearly14%! Price of
production
has also suffered
small but continuous
hydrocarbons
erosion,but
liquid
from
changes".
"gathering
primarily
Naturalgas followsa somewhatmoreencouraging
patternof productionand income,as can be seen by FigureII (API-AGA, 1946-62;
MineralsYearbooks,1946-62). Marketedproductionof naturalgas
in Kansas reachedan all timepeak in 1962 of over 694 billioncubic
feet,valuedat 86.1 milliondollars. However,estimated
provedreserves
of naturalgas have declinedsteadilyto 18.7 trillioncubic feetfroma
peakof 20.2 trillioncubicfeetin 1958 (AGA, 1958, 1962).
Grossvalue of all hydrocarbon
energyproducedin Kansas declined
nearly7% from458 milliondollarsin 1957 to 426.2 milliondollarsin
1962, despite increasedproductionand gross value of naturalgas!
Kansas is followinga general nationwidepatternprevailingin the
petroleumindustry.
16
221
RESERVES
'/9^"^s
U.
0
12
17
-J
I-
IS
15
r7I t
00111
I
uL
PRICE !
I0
tJ
0.
-^
- -I
-:
U.
0
5<DCID-
T
R'PRODUCTION
J^^it
0IL
I
z
wJ
in 3 oC%_z
-:
1946
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
ESTIMATED PROVED RECOVERABLE RESERVES,

PRODUCTION a AVERAGE WELL HEAD PRICE
MCF NATURAL GAS
KANSAS 1946-1962
SOURCE:A.G.A. A U.SB.M.
of NaturalGas, and Average

FigureII. EstimatedProvedReservesand production
Value per MCF at Well Head, Kansas, 1946-1962.
Geological Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas
259
Results of Exploration,1946-1962
Figure III shows the patternof exploratorydrilling in Kansas from
1946 to 1962.
From a post war low of 425 total exploratorytest wells drilled,
tempo increased to a total of 1907 test wells drilled in 1956, and had
declined to 957 by 1962 (Lahee, 1962; Carsey and Roberts, 1963).
More important,however, the successful exploratorywells, new "discoveries", rose from 90 in 1946 to 477 in 1956, declining to 163 in
1962. Further decline is anticipated as officialreturns for 1963 are
counted. All drilling has declined during this period. Comparison of
Figures I and III is highly revealing. Although mere numbers of discoveriesgive no indication of quality, it is obvious that a close relationship exists between numbersof exploratorytest wells drilled, discoveries,
reservesand daily productionof liquid hydrocarbons. The same relationship exists on a long termbasis with naturalgas productionand reserves.
However, the effectof price increases resultingin more directed exploration for natural gas, plus more additions from revisions and extensions
RESULTS OF EXPLORATORY DRILLING

KANSAS 1946-1962
SOURCE:
A. K P G.
Drillingin Kansas 1946-1962.

FigureIII. Exploratory
260
Transactions
as new fieldsdeveloped,delayedthe peak yearof naturalgas reserves

until1958. Annualproduction
has respondedto increaseddemandand
actionsof regulatory
bodies.
The real barometerof the ultimateprogressor decline of the
petroleumproducingindustryis the explorationactivitynecessaryto
developprospectsfor drilling,a reasonablepercentageof whichwill
yield economicdiscoveriesmeritingadditionaldevelopment.The best
work
availableis the numberof crewmonthsof seismograph
barometer
carriedon per year,as shownin FigureIV. (Hambletonand Merriam,
1952; Eckhardt,1952, 1953; Hammer,1954, 1955; Patrick,1957-60;
Smith,1962, 1963.)
will be noted on this figurebecause of different
A discrepancy
sourcesof data. However,the general patternis obvious. Seismic
explorationreacheda peak in 1952, and has generallydeclinedsince
thattime. Once again Kansas is followingthe generalpatternestabfor the past severalyears. There are
lishedin the domesticindustry
of whichis the
whichcan be used,themostimportant
otherbarometers
foundper average"wildcat"well discovery.This
valueof new reserves
indexhas declinedsteadilyoverthe UnitedStatessince 1957. (Beebe,
1963.)
1948
1950
1952
1954
1956
1958
1960
1962
CREW MONTHS OF SEISMOGRAPH OPERATIONS

KANSAS, 1946- 1962
SOURCES
GEOPHYSICS 6
KANSAS GEOLOGICALSURVEY, UILL.127 PT.
FigureIV. Numberof SeismicCrew MonthsWorkedin Kansas,1946-1962.
261
There are several reasons which contributedto these developments.

They can be tabulated as follows: (Beebe, 1963)
1. A rapid shift in the pattern of energy consumption in the
United States, as shown in Figure V. (AGA, 1961, 1963; Minerals
Yearbooks, 1945-62)
Although consumption of liquid hydrocarbonsincreased from 32.1%
of the total primaryenergy consumed in the United States in 1945 to
44.4% in 1962, or approximately38%, consumptionof dry natural gas
increased from 12.6% to 29.4%, or more than 130% during the same
period! A portion of this increase was at the expense of liquid hydrocarbons. Need the reader be reminded that natural gas is the only one
of the competitivesources of primaryenergy regulated by the federal
governmentthrough the Federal Power Commission, and that natural
gas is grosslyunderpricedas a source of energywhen compared to, coal
or liquid hydrocarbons?
A world oversupplyof crude oil.
2.
.o_
Total Crude- Petroleum and Products
S.
35
m
30
I
E
fEbL"
3 20
0
Ci
U
il Gas- Dry
2esaluNatur,
Bltumbious
Coal
and Lignite
10
!5~
>-_2.
_4
iWater Power.
_
_
. __
-~"'A',-=-
&
-Llqi&
rsLiquids
...I fa
nthraclte
Coal
1591601611621
152
157158
19451461471481491505
153154155156
FUELS
ENERGY
OF
ANNUAL CONSUMPTION
POWER
FROM WATER
AND ENERGY
UNITED
STATES,
PERCENTOf CONSUMPTION SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES
19456-1962
Figure V. Annual Consumption of Energy Fuels and Energy from Water Power
U.S.A., 1945-1962.
262
Transactions
to competewithlower
of domestic
crudeoil producers
3. Inability
costforeignsources;hencea largeincreasein imports.
in the domesticindustry
that domestic
4. A lack of confidence
that
there
are
can
be
or
reallymanyhydrocarbons
competitive
production
leftto findin theUnitedStates.
5. Kansas, as well as otherpartsof the Midcontinent
area, has
even more becauseof the lure of largerreservesand higher
suffered
of
and the migration
offshore,
along the Gulf Coast,particularly
profits
Those
left
that
area.
to
"majors"
operate
manycompanies,
particularly
undersharplycurtailedbudgetsforKansas.
6. Continuousincreasedcostsof findingand developingreserves
in Kansas.
in Kansas,1860-1963
of Artof Prospecting
Development
of
The firstknownuse of geologyin Kansas,primarily
by members
the state survey,Haworth,Beede, and Bennett,has been mentioned.
As earlyas 1908, a "SpecialReporton Oil and Gas" was issuedby the
Survey(Haworthet al, 1908). Many geologistshad previouslycontributedto generalgeologicalknowledgein Kansas. It is unfortunate
of petroleum
of earlydevelopment
thatthehistory
geologyin Kansas is
in Kansas can
not betterknown. However,the historyof exploration
into
five
divided
periods:
roughlybe
1. Non-technical,
1860-1900+.
2. Beginningsof use of geology;surfacestructure
mapping,
1900+-1930+.
3. Core drilling,1923 -.
4. Subsurface
1917 -.
methods,
5. Geophysicalmapping:magnetic,
seismograph,
gravimetric,
19291860-1900+.
Non-technical,
Oil operatorsduringthis period dependedon a wide and often
of aids to locatedepositsof oil and/orgas. These ranged
weirdvariety
fromsuchneartechnical
approachesas drillingnearoil and/orgas seepand "trend",to hunches,visions,dreams,
topography
ages, creekology,
of leases,stillunfortunately
and
and
"witches",
availability
"doodlebugs"
oftena compellingreasonfor drillingpoor prospects.Most of southeasternKansaswas developedduringthisperiod.
Introduction
of Geologyand SurfaceMapping,1900+-1930.
use of geologybeganto be recognized
century,
Earlyin thetwentieth
generallyas a valuableadjunctto findingoil and gas. Earlyworkof
263
Haworthet al, the Kansas StateSurvey,and publicationof the classic

BulletinIX in 1908 have been mentioned.Undoubtedly
pioneerpetroleum geologistsfromOklahomaand Texas visitedKansas earlyin the
century.
However,use of plane table and alidade to make surfacecontour
aboutthe turn
structure
mapswas developedin the Applachiancountry
of the century(Beebe, 1941, p. 146). Its use quicklyspreadto the
and Kansas. ErasmusHaworthand his son Huntsman
Midcontinent
oil and gas territory.They
wereemployedin 1912 to locatepromising
anticlinalstructure
westof Eldorado,Kansas, and
discoveredpromising
recommended
leasing (Nixon, 1948, p. 386). Aboutthis same time,
Directorof the OklahomaStateSurvey,thena
C. N. Gould, formerly
wereemployedby the H. L. Doherty
and EverettCarpenter
constultant,
to "locateanticlines"in Osage County,Oklahomaand southern
interests
at Dexter,Cambridge
Kansas. Theylocated,"amongothers",anticlines
and thentheAugustaanticlinewhichwas recommended
and Beaumont,
withplane
was thensurveyed
forleasing. This was leased,thestructure
was
constructed
contour
and
a
structural
by J.
table and alidade,
map
strucEldorado
the
Later
RussellCrabtree(Gould, 1959, pp. 185-86).
and a
turewas so mapped. In 1914, the Augustafieldwas discovered,
yearlater,in 1915, Eldoradowas discovered,and "the lid was off!"
The pastures,fieldsand woods were full of geologistsand pseudolookingfor closures,with plane
geologistsmappingsurfacestructure,
increasein demandfor
tremendous
the
tableand alidade,stimulated
by
automobile.
the
I
and
War
World
on
brought by
petroleum
of geologyin
markedthe realacceptance
This periodof exploration
which
Kansas
of
most
fifteen
next
the
theMidcontinent.During
years,
Pennof
in
areas
first
was
surface
was suitablefor
surveyed,
mapping
westward
and
northward
then
and Permianoutcrops,
spreading
sylvanian
rocks. Manyoil and gas fieldswere
intotheareascoveredbyCretaceous
discovered
duringthisperiod.
of the Augustaarea is used as an
Althoughthe surfacestructure
discoveredby surfacemapping
fields
other
in FigureVI,
illustration
first
the
large field discoveredin western
includedthe Fairportfield,
Kansas in 1923, Aldrich,Otis-Albert,Shutts,Wakeeney,and more
Davis Ranch.
recently,
R. A. Whortan,
including
ManywellknownolderKansasgeologists,
Garlough,and
A.
John
Robert
Bending,
McNeely,Ralph
VirgilCole,
manner.
in
this
initial
their
secured
experience
HuntsmanHaworth,
mappingwas overby 1930,a limited
Althoughtheheydayof surface
amountof valuablework is still done fromtimeto time. However,
264
Kansas Academyof Science

Transactions
R4
SURFACE STRUCTURE OF AUGUSTA FIELD

FORT
RILEY
LIMESTONE
REDRAWN FROM BERRY lt HARPER IN STRUCTURE QF TYPICAL AMERICAN

OIL
Figure VI.
FIELDS (1941), P 218
Surface Structure Map of the Augusta Field Area.
GeologicalExplorationjor Oil and Gas in Kansas
265
surfacemappingin Kansasis almosta lostart. Manyyounger

geologists
have no trainingor experiencein fieldmapping,and do not realize
oil fieldsin Kansasare expressed
thatmostof thestructural
byanomalous
wherethesecan be mapped,oftenevenbytopography.
surfaceconditions
and
color photography
of use of aerial photographs,
The introduction
theirmore recentadaptationto areas of low surfacedips may offer
promiseforadditionalleads to prospectsin manyareas in Kansas. To
the writer'sknowledge,thisinexpensive,
promisingapproachhas never
in Kansas.
been used extensively
Era of CoreDrilling,1923of surfacerocks,
In manyareasthereare no mappableoutcroppings
surfacemapping,coredrillingwas a
or theyare covered. To supplement
van der Gracht,then
logical answer. W. A. J. M. van Waterschoot
are credited
withRoxana (Shell), and M. M. Travis,Mid-CoPetroleum,
Oklahoma. Marland Oil
the core drill to northern
with introducing
fromuse
resulting
Company(Continental)made the firstoil discovery
Kansas
to
of the drillin 1922. Its use rapidlyspread
(Beebe, 1941, p.
the
139). Marlandand Roxana,pioneers,employed techniqueextenended
was "drilledout" and the depression
sively. Most of thecountry
thecoredrillboomin Kansas about1930. ManyfamousKansas Fields,
includingOxford,Churchill,Ritz Canton,Valley Center,Burrtonand
Geneseo,Dopita and Ray,
otherson the "Vcshelltrend",Cunningham,
to coredrilling.
owe theirdiscovery
The Geneseofieldarea has been chosenas a typicalexampleof a
and is shownin FigureVII.
coredrillstructure,
of theelectriclog in coreholesforpickingmarkers
The application
of core
forstructural
mappingin thelate 1930s resultedin a resurgence
correlated
be
could
which
by
markers
drillingin areas wheregood
where
and
"eyeball"were too deep to drill economically, redrilling
used werenot reliable. Core drillingoftenis used
markerspreviously
eventodayin areasnot amenableto seismicmappingor to supplement
suchwork.
Like thatof surfacemapping,thevalue of thevastamountof core
and
by manygeologists,
drillingdone in Kansas is nottrulyappreciated
mappedon
is oftenignored. Althoughby no meansdo all structures
at depth
not
are
and
drill
present
core
many
or
the surface by
produce,
of
knows
writer
this
or
of
through
slumpage,
because divergence origin
not
is
which
Kansas
in
relief
and
size
of
at
no closedstructure depth any
on shallowbeds mappedby
reflected
by suspiciousanomalousconditions
evidentwhere
is
This
core
or
particularly
drilling.
surfacesurveying
somemoderbe
There
involved.
are
may
markers
Permo-Pennsylvanian
266
TransactionsKansas Academy of Science
ate shiftof crestwith depth over sharperfeatures,but the deeper features

are evident from shallow mapping. In most cases, a test well drilled
on the crest of one of these shallow featureswill fall within the productivearea, if any. The magnitudeof dips on shallow Permian marker
beds, and which extends to depth, is often surprising. The writerhas
observed dips on the order of 50 feet in horizontal distances of less
than 1,000 feet which have been confirmedor found to be accentuated
at depth. Most surface and core drill featureswhich carryto depth are
accentuatedwith depth.
These same observationsregarding indications of subsurface structure in surface or near surface beds apply to areas in which surface or
near surface mapping has been done on Cretaceous markers. There are
more problems, however, because of the sharp angular unconformity
RIW
R7W
19
S
GENESEO FIELD
STRUCTURE CONTOURS ON TOP OF A SHALLOW
PERMIAN LIMESTONE MARKER BED
CONTOUR
INTERVAL
0 FEET
REDRAWN FROM CLARK et oL IN STRURE
f TYPICAL
AMERICANOIL FELDS (1948), P 236
Figure VII.
Core Drill Structure Map of Geneseo Field Area, Rice County,Kansas.
GeologicalExplorationfor Oil and Gas in Kansas
267
betweenMesozoic and subjacentPermianstrata;regionaldips may be

180 degreesopposed. Greatershiftof axes with depth has been
strataare more
structures
observed. Furthermore,
mappedon Cretaceous
and maynot carryto depth.
oftensurficial,
usuallya resultof slumping,
However,the use of more expensivegeophysicalexplorationwithout
to availablesurfaceand core drill data is not uncommonin
reference
of this
and appreciation
and
revealsa lack of understanding
Kansas,
valuableinformation.Cretaceousand Permianmaps of a portionof
Ness County,Kansas includedwitha recentpublication(James,1963)
of structural
the importance
mappingof shallowbeds
vividlyillustrate
in Kansas.
1917Exploration,
Subsurface
and
of theindustry,
This is theone continuing
technique
exploratory
structure
subsurface
The
first
is oftentermed"post-mortem
geology".
bygeologistsin Oklahomaabout1916. Alex W.
mapswereconstructed
sectionof an exploration
department
McCoyorganizedthefirstsubsurface
forEmpire(now CitiesService)in 1917. (Beebe, 1941, p. 138)
studiesare widelyvaried,and includestructural,
Subsurface
isopaof facies,paleogeographic
chous,maps showingextentand distribution
and correlation
of drill cuttings,
and paleogeologcmaps, examination
Kansas
geologist,
of subsurface
logs of varioustypes. A well known
drill
of
examination
(Clark
cuttings
rotary
I.
Daniels,
pioneered
James
et al, 1928).
studiesare used in two ways,firstin a passivesenseto
Subsurface
as
and secondly,
methods,
delineateareasto be studiedbymoredefinitive
drill.
a dynamicmethodof explorationto develop prospectsfor the
studiesof this lattertypewereconfinedto strucFor years,subsurface
turaland isopachousmapping. In general,butwithnotableexceptions,
the practicewas a dismal failure. The theoryappearedsound; the
werenot well underbut its severelimitations
methodwas inexpensive,
seriousboutswith
into
and
it
led
and
manyoperators geologists
stood,
dryholes.
in Kansasbetween1935
reacheda highpeakof utility
The technique
of the CentralKansas Uplift, a
and 1950 duringthe development
unique area in which the inherentlimitationswere not so harmful.
withother
Eventhen,subsurface
mappingwas oftenused in conjunction
the techdrill
core
and
Today
surface
from
mapping.
data,principally
known
of
fields,
extensions
in
nique is used primarily mappingpossible
assist
to
and
withothermethods,
seismograph,
in conjunction
principally
in
accumulation
and
oil
for
"stratigraphic
areasfavorable
in outlining
gas
268
as an exploration
traps". Its importance
techniquewhenproperlyused
cannotbe overemphasized.
withtheadventof thevarious
Unfortunately,
mechanical
criticalexamloggingdevicesand commercial
logsof cuttings,
inationof well samplesis also becominga lost art.
Methods,1929Geophysical
In all probability,
all of Kansashas beensurveyed
by magneticand
methodsby severalof the largercompaniesover the past
gravimetric
40 years. These methodswere introduced
of
earlyin the development
westernKansas, and assistedmateriallyin definingcertainregional
structural
features
and "grain". Surfaceand airbornemagnetometer,
and
variousgravimetric
tools,includingthe pendulum,torsionbalanceand
havebeenemployed
meter,
gravity
successfully.
Since both gravityand magneticreadingshave no certaindirect
to subsurface
structure,
theyshouldnot be employedas prirelationship
favorablecircummaryexploration
techniquesexceptunderparticularly
of hydrostances. Althoughthe writeris not aware of any discovery
carbonsin Kansas thatcan be creditedalone to gravimetric
or magnetic
by
mapping,manylargelease blockswereacquiredas a resultof surveys
one or bothmethodson whichoil and/orgas fieldswere foundlater.
Becausethepetroleum
and even laymenin oil producingterriindustry
the
toryhave becomeso enamoredwiththeclosedcontouras indicating
bestplace to drill,magnetics
and gravitydata have been misunderstood,
and abused,yetare oftenmethodsof immensevalue in
misinterpreted
or magnetic
a "closure"on gravity
structural
exploration.Unfortunately,
test,but almost
mapsis notusuallythebestplace to drillan exploratory
everygravityand magneticclosurein Kansas knownto the writerhas
results. Neithermethodhas been
been drilled,usuallywithdisastrous
in
in
Kansas
recent
years.
employedextensively
studiesis
in conjunction
withsubsurface
The reflection
seismograph
methodin Kansas,and has
used exploratory
probablythemostgenerally
been since 1952. Referenceto FigureIV will show its rapid growth
in
followingthe end of World War II, and its declineas exploration
generalwas curtailed.
in Kansas about
firstintroduced
The earlyhistoryof seismograph,
1929, was not encouraging
despitethe factthatvisualrecordqualityin
WesternKansas,exceptforthe southwestern
partof the state,is fairto
of fieldand interpretaof the method,employment
good. Limitations
reliefof
not suitableforKansas and the low structural
tivetechniques
on mappableseismic"events"or "pulses"was notwell
Kansasstructures
of
understood
bytheindustry.A blow byblow storyof thevicissitudes
269
in Kansas is a fascinating
the reflection
bit of exploration
seismograph
it to saythatbythe late 1930s,mostof the largercomhistory.Suffice
and expensiveseismicworkin Kansaswithout
panieshad doneextensive
rewardsin termsof oil and gas discoveries,and the
commensurate
abandonedas an exploration
tool forseveralyears.
methodwas virtually
weremadeduringthe
However,a numberof oil and gas discoveries
features. These
earlyperiod,usuallyon larger,moreobviousstructure
the
writer's
to
the
Bedford,
Farmingknowledge, Lyons(gas),
included,
ton, Lindsborg,Nunn, and ShallowWater.
tookplaceduringthisperiod. AccordTwo important
developments
area of Central
"A considerable
to
286-87),
(1949,
pp.
ing Weatherby
Kansas had beenmappedon theseismicStoneCorralas earlyas 1929."
of thefields,if any,discovered.However,Derby
He makesno statement
a seismicsurveyof a largearea in Ellis
undertook
Petroleum
Corporation
and partsof adjacentcountiesin Kansas in 1935 and 1936 underthe
of E. A. Koester,mappingonlythe StoneCorralreflection.
supervision
of many
thiswas an almostideal area fromthe standpoint
Fortunately,
of themoreseriousnearsurfaceproblems. In thewriter'sopinion,this
costand results,ever
seismicprogram,
is themostsuccessful
considering
conductedin Kansas. At least 14 fieldswere discoveredas a resultof
fieldsas Solomon,Vohs, Ellis and
thissurvey,
includingsuchimportant
Pleasant. The accountof this interesting
programis containedin a
on
paper by Koester, "Symposium Geophysics",publishedby the
Kansas GeologicalSurvey(Koester,1959, pp. 351-355).
and
as contractor,
In 1934 or 1935,WesternGeophysical
Company,
StanolindOil and Gas as client,were doing extensiveseismicworkin
soon discoveredthe basic errors
WesternKansas. Their geophysicists
cornearsurface"weathering"
and
surface
in
involved makingempirical
feet
hundred
few
first
in
the
variations
and seriousrapidvelocity
rections
of
the
assistance
With
of sectionabove the Stone Corral anhydrite.
were
these
which
ignored
problems
geologists,a schemewas devisedin
and the lower
betweenthe StoneCorralanhydrite
and onlytheintervals
weremapped. Thus the "reference
plane" methodwas
seismicmarkers
success. (Sidon Harris,personalcommunibornwithalmostimmediate
Drach-Maxcation.) Discoveriesincluded,amongmanyothers,Stafford,
St. JohnTownsite,Zenith,Zook, and Patterson.However,the
Sittner,
patternof surfacecoveragewas designedto findonlythe larger,most
pre-Pennobviousfeatures.Too muchreliancewas placedon uncertain
areas of
the
from
features
reflections.
away
Many large
sylvanian
technical
of
certain
a
result
as
highly
to
failed
success
produce,partially
will be
which
and
now
understood,
becoming
seismicproblemsonly
270
discussedlater. Failureto recognize

problemsinvolvedin local warping
of the reference
velocitiesin converting
assumption
plane,unwarranted
fromtimeto feet,and lureof otherareasled to abandonmeasurements
mentof themethod. Now recognized
adversehydrodynamic
conditions,
of hydraulic
thefactthattestwellsweredrilledbeforeintroduction
fracforgas showings,
methods,particularly
turing,and inadequatedetection
also playedtheirparts. For severalyearsbetween1940 and 1950, the
methodwas used only in limitedfashionby thosewho were or had
becomefamiliarwiththe technique. The Huffordfieldwas discovered
in general,howduringthisperiodusingthismethod. The seismograph
ever,fell intodisrepute.
a concerted
In 1945, the writerand severalassociatescommenced
effort
to improvequalityof seismicwork in WesternKansas. As a
severalholesweredrilledto theStone
bad mis-tie,
resultof a particularly
made.
theholeselectrically
Corralanhydrite,
logged,and velocitysurveys
above the
The problemof variableand uncertainvelocitycorrections
controlled
StoneCorralbecameevidentimmediately.A carefully
experin an area in
was conducted,
iment,coveringa fulltownship,
fortunately
northern
Stafford
Countywheretherewas good controlfromdrilled
wells and wheretherewere no seriousproblems. The writerthought
and did not learnuntilseveral
new had been discovered,
thatsomething
yearslaterthatWesternand Stanolindhad developedthe generaltechnique 13 to 14 yearspreviously!
introducedincludedmore closelyspaced
The basic improvements
an attempt
to statistically
eliminateor
find
smaller
to
holes
shot
features,
of
denser
shot
reduceerrorsthrough
spacing
points,shootingseveral
recordsat variousdepthsin each shothole, severalgeophonesper trace
to tie to
of the geologyand the necessity
and a betterunderstanding
drilledwellson whichgood data was available(whichweremoreabundant), smallercontourintervalsand use of raw time measurements
to correctto footageby assumingvelocitiesof
insteadof attempting
as a whole soon discovered
value. At any rate,the industry
uncertain
and successive
led
discoveries
thevalueof thereference
planetechnique,
to theseismic"boom" duringtheperiod1950-55.
The methodis stillin generaluse. Thereis no need for detailed
discussionof the techniqueor basic problemssincetheyhave been discussedat lengthin otherpublications,
(Beebe and Ballou,1956,pp. 318320), (Beebe,1959,pp. 249-274), (Brewer,1959,pp. 275-280), (Care
et al., 1959, pp. 281-286), (Rupnik,1959, pp. 297-308), (Winchell,
1959, pp. 335-349), and an excellentgeneraldiscussionby Glover
are used here becauseof the
(1959, pp. 225-240). No illustrations
271
in publications
to whichreference
oneswithdetaileddiscussions
excellent
has beenmade.
Numerousfieldshave been discoveredin manyareas in Kansas as
of thereference
a resultof therehabilitation
plane (oftencalledisotime)
method. Discoveriesincludemanyof thepast 15 yearsin Barton,Stafford,Pawnee,Pratt,Trego,Ellis,Rice and EdwardsCountiesand others,
in Ness and HodgemanCounties. Examplesinclude
and morerecently
Enlow, Smallwood,Dunes, Crissman,and Koelsch, Southeast,all of
whichare describedwithothersin the literature.
The declineof seismicworkin Kansas since1955 has beena result
of severalfactors.First,of course,is thegeneraldeclineof exploration
and geologistsbecame
in theindustry.Secondly,
manyoperators
activity
disillusionedwith seismograph,
usuallythroughtheirown failureto
and appreciatetechnicalproblemsinvolved,and the limitaunderstand
tionsof the method,but oftenthroughfailureto shootenoughpoints,
checktie into enoughdrilledwells on whichgood data was available,
positionof the reference
plane
and/orfailureto establishthe structural
cost
corehole. Seismicpointsgenerally
whenpossiblebyan inexpensive
become
can
holes
core
very
fromabout$80 to $150 each; logged
expena reliableshallow markercan be found.
sive. However,oftentimes
It appearsto be poor economyto fail to shoota few additionalseismic
the
pointsor to drilla corehole at a costof $1500 or less,considering
a
of assemblingleases and drilling prospect.
time,expenseand effort
This rarelyamountsto lessthan$20,000outof pocketexpense. Drilling
hazardof
but is a normal,well understood
of dryholes is unfortunate,
and one which
exploringforoil and gas. The saddestof all situations,
oftenoccursbecauseof inadequateor poor seismicwork,is the drilling
of a dryhole a locationor two froma fieldwhichis foundlaterby a
morethorough
competitor.
Althoughthe above reasonsaffectthe amountof workdone,there
in
are reallytwo basic operatingproblems. In thevastareas remaining
eitheradverse
Kansas in whichoil and/orgas will surelybe discovered,
of any
combination
a
or
technical,
near
subsurface,
surface,
topographic,
reflecthe
of
the
limit
accuracy
conditions
these
requisite
or all
severely
so
been
have
results
where
areas
good
In
other
tion seismograph.
warrant
no
to
as
small
so
are
discoveries
longer
theaverage
historically,
forthemwithseismograph.The law
theexpenseinvolvedin searching
Neitheris the seismograph
work.
at
yet
is hard
returns
of diminishing
those
for
"stratigraphic
methodwithwhichto search
a primary
traps",
plays a minorpart in the
elusive depositsin which closed structure
accumulation.
272
Transactions
The Future
in Kansas,then,does not appear
futureof exploration
The surficial
increaseddemandfor energy
encouraging
despitepredictedcontinuously
and analysisof all the
fromhydrocarbons.A thoughtful
examination
an
such
not
does
facts,however,
assumption.
support
methodsof explorationare being
in conventional
Improvements
made continuously.Improvedseismicfieldtechniquesand instrumenallow the requisiteaccuracyin manyareas in
tationwill undoubtedly
conditions
whichunsatisfactory
precludeseismicworkat thistime. Use
havealreadyrevealed
of different
typesof chargesand geophonepatterns
with an inexpensive
considerable
promisein some areas. Experiments
in otherareas
whichhas assistedmaterially
sourceof energy,
mechanical
wheretheseproblemsexist,hold promise.
However,the mostseriousproblemswere discoveredonly within
thelastfewyears. For almostthirty
yearswe failedto fullyunderstand
and possibleinterseveralbasicaspectsof seismicsignals,theirgeneration
ference. Suddenly"ghosts"and multipleswere discoveredto be the
cause of seriousproblemsin manypartsof the worldin whichseismographhas beenused. Kansas is no exception.
to explain
Withoutgoingintohighlytechnicaldetail,butto attempt
at depthone or more
in the simplestterms,a multipleis the repetition
obscurethe
These oftencompletely
timesof a strong,shallowreflection.
and have been mapped,more often than
deeper primaryreflections
to the sorrowof all concerned.Even
reflection,
realized,as a primary
waves
in Kansas is the "ghost"generatedby secondary
moreimportant
interfere
either
which
of energyproducedby the primary
may
explosion
When "ghosts"cancel
reflections.
theprimary
with,cancel,or reinforce
witha primary
interfere
reflection,
or seriously
poorrecordqualityresults
costof thesurveythenis
the
and a reliablemap cannotbe made. Only
situationoccurswhen a primary
lost. However,the mostunfortunate
is
is reinforced.This is rarelyobvious. An interpretation
reflection
made in good faith,appearsto be sound geologically,a prospectis
drilled,the seismicworkdoes not check,yet the visual appearanceof
thanrealizedin Kansas.
recordsaregood.This occursfarmorefrequently
existadjacentto
Largeareaswhereseismicworkis notreliablegenerally
be measuredin thouareas of reliability.The distancescan sometimes
sandsof feethorizontally.Thereare largeareasin Kansas in whichit
whichwill contain
is obviousthattheremustbe low reliefstructures
economicdepositsof oil and gas in whichthereare simplyno methods
forseismicmappingwithrequisiteaccuracy.
However, the velocitylog, the continuousvelocitywell bore survey
273
and the electroniccomputerhave. enabled the industryto undertake

can be conextensiveanalysisof this problem. Synthetic
seismograms
interference.
without
structed,
makinga trulyrepresentative
seismogram
of the "ghosts"and multipleswhich are
Separationand identification
the truesignalscan be made.
affecting
Midcontinent
FigureVIII is an excellentexamplefromthenorthern
with
reflections
Interference
area of a synthetic
primary
seismogram.
causedby "ghosts"and multiplesis evident. Lines A, B, C, D and E
shouldoccur.
reflections
indicatewheregood primary
a
are
breakthrough.
technological
significant
seismograms
Synthetic
In the past,wherevisual recordqualitywas good, severemis-tieswere
to "velocitygradients".Many
usually,and oftenevennow are attributed
have
and
long suspectedand are now convinced
geophysicists geologists
thatthiswas oftenonlyan excuse,not a reason. Now thatthe problem
is understood,it will ultimatelybe solved.
Although syntheticseismogramscan be constructedby hand, and
earlier ones were, it is a slow, laborious, costlyprocess. Use of the electronic computerhas reduced this cost to a very few hundred dollars in
A
D
0
D
Cl
GEOPHYSICALLOG
IN LINEAR TIME ,|
~
9
REFLECTIONS ONLY
PRIMARY WITH
PA' TRANSMISSION LOSSES

SY NMULTIPLES
AND GHOSTS
GHOSTS
SYNTHETIC
SEISMOGRAM
^ J^ ^
TOTAL SYNTHETIC
M M
FIELD
SEISMOGRAM
SYNTHETIC
COMPARISONOF
AND FIELD
SEISMOGRAMS
NORTHERN MID CONTINENT AREA

(COURTESY
CENTURY GEOPHYSICAL
CORP.)
of Field and SyntheticSeismograms.

FigureVIII. Comparison
274
'lransactionsKansas Acadeny of Science
most cases in Kansas. A continuousvelocitysurveyof the well bore is

desirable, but good usable syntheticscan be constructedfrom a velocity
log of a test well and comparedwith the field seismogramfromthe well
site. Even more encouragingare experimentsunderwayusing the computer to constructsyntheticseismogramsfrom other types of mechanical
logs, even logs made from drilling time. Drilling time logs can be
plotted by the computerat considerableless cost than by manual plotting.
The time may not be too far distantwhen, in at least some areas, a seismic recordcan be deconvolutedand representative
logs constructedbefore
a testwell is drilled (Rice, 1962).
Thus far only structuraltraps and methods of findingthem have
been the principal subject of discussion. There are other types of traps
which may be even more important.
There are three basic parametersinvolved in the accumulationof
oil and gas: a trap, favorable lithology (reservoirbeds), and favorable
or fluidmovements.A closed structureis only one type of
hydrodynamics
but
trap,
responds best to our present methods of hunting. There are
many accumulationsof hydrocarbonsin Kansas in which local structure
plays little if any part.
The Wherryfield,Figure IX, is a classic example of one of these, a
buried fossil alluvial fan type deposit. The Garfield field of Pawnee
Countyis a somewhatsimilaraccumulation.
The Zenith field, Figure X, is anotherclassic example. The Misener, Maquoketa dolomite,and the porous upper Viola dolomite are truncated beneath an unconformity
below the onlapping Pennsylvanianstrata
on a broad nose. Most of the Viola dolomiteand Hunton limestoneand
even residual Mississippian Osage chert (a fossil regolith) production
is found under somewhatsimilar circumstanceswhere closed structureis
by no means the most importantfactor. The Bartlesvilleshoestringfields
produce from sand bodies entombed in shale with little, if any, regard
to local structure. Distributionof sandstones in the Simpson and the
Kinderhook, (Misener), although productionmay occur on "noses" or
closed structuresin many areas, is as importantor more so than local
structuralconditions. Maquoketa dolomite productionin the Lindsborg
field,even though associated with a large closed structure,is a result of
a facies change from dolomite on the westernflankto shale across the
axis of the structure. The Novinger and Greenwood fields are reefoid
type marine bank deposits. It is probable that much of the LansingKansas City productionfrom oolicastic beds in Western Kansas occurs
under somewhat similar conditions. The examples are almost limitless.
Many of the large fieldsproducingunder such conditionswere found
GeologicalExplorationfor Oil and Gas in Kansas
275
WHERRY FIELD
STRUCTURE
BASAL
CONTOURS
PENNSYLVANIAN
ON TOP OF
THE
CONGLOMERATE
(SOOY)
REDRAWN FROM CLARK et ol IN STRUCTURE OF TYPICAL

AMERICANOIL FIELDS (1948), P. 246
Field Area, Rice County,Kansas.

of the Wherry
FigureIX. SubsurfaceStructure
R IOW
R IIW
9** * * ' I
28
2\>1
o?
SUBSURFACE
STRUCTURE OF
CONTOURED
REDRAWN FROM
IMBT
25
26
27
28
IN
30
IL
ZENITH
POOL
ON TOP VIOLA
STATIGRAPHIC
TYPE
OIL
FIELDS
(1941),
P. 151.
of the ZenithField Area,StaffordCounty,Kansas.

FigureX. SubsurfaceStructure
276
oftenbydrillinga structural
prospectwhichhad littleif any
byaccident,
in the accumulation.This is indeedhaphazardexploration.
significance
has paid lip serviceto, buthas not bought
In general,the industry
the "stratigraphic
trap" conceptbecauseits explorationarm has failed
to developmethodsand techniquesfor accurately
locatingand properly
is tied by long ingrained
depictingtheseelusivetargets. The industry
habit to "the seductiveinfluenceof the closed contour".(DeGolyer,
1923)
The electroniccomputer,an idiot in itself, and only as competent
as the individual who decides what it should do and how to interpret
its findings,offersreal promise for assistancein more accuratelylocating
traps in which closed structureis not the most importantfactor. In its
simplest analysis, the computeris only an extension of a trained individual, his pencil and desk calculator. However, it allows the individual
to sort,store,retrieve,calculate and analyze huge volumes of data which
could not be thoroughlydigested in years by ordinarymethods. It also
and reservoir
allows him to examine new and excitingrock characteristics
will
be
which
of
some
never
before
significant
used,
highly
parameters,
in locatingaccumulationsof hydrocharbons.The State Geological Survey
of Kansas has issued several valuable publicationsin pioneer work in this
importantdevelopmentin oil exploration. Geological and geophysical
studiesmakinguse of the computerand designed to discoveroil and gas
are already underwayin Kansas with promise of success. Such studies
are inexpensive, but highly exacting; they remove the subjective, the
"abouts", are clinical and surgical, and will probably ultimatelyforce
the historicallyqualitativegeologist to quantifymanyof his observations.
fluidmovements
With regardto the finalparameter,hydrodynamics,
and
in
the
Midcontinent
and theirgradients,
particularlyin Kansas, the
industryhas paid littleor no attentionto this importantfacet of oil and
gas accumulation. Yet the fundamentalimportanceof such data is well
recognized in the Rocky mountainbasins and in Canada, and is just as
importantin Kansas. Most of the readily available data in Kansas is
virtuallyunusable for analyzing directionand intensityof fluid movements in any reservoirbed even locally, much less on a regional basis.
Summaryand Conclusions.
Although no new vastly differenttechniques universallyapplicable
to findingoil and/or gas, such as the reflectionseismograph,are in sight,
the industryin Kansas and in the United States must and is making concerted effortsto improve not only its discoveryrecord,but reduce costs
of findingand developing the large depositsof oil and gas awaiting dis-
Geoiofical Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas
277
coveryin far more subtle traps than those for which it has explored in
the past. Methods, techniques and instrumentsare constantlybeing
improved. There are far more data available, and the exploration arm
of the industryis learning to,handle this vast accumulationof data far
more effectively. Integrationand proper use of all known and proved
exploration methods and the introductionof the electroniccomputerto
speed the effortforeshadowsbetterdays ahead. To be sure, the Kansas
oil and gas industryis in the doldrums; the immediate future is not
promising. And yet a critical examination of the distributionof oil
and gas in Kansas, the geology of the state and knowledge that in many
areas prospectinghas been grossly inadequate yield convincing evidence
that there is much oil and gas remainingto be found.
A prophet is without honor in his own land, so the writer,fully
aware that predictionsof future supplies of hydrocarbonsremaining to
be found have proven historicallyto be grosslyinadequate, refusesto be
specific. At the end of 1962, past production and proved reservesfor
Kansas exceeded 4.5 billion barrels of liquid hydrocarbonsand 28.6
trillion cubic feet of gas. The road of exploration is littered with
prophesiesthat no oil would be found in Western Kansas, no oil below
the minus 1500 foot contourin the Arbuckleof Western Kansas, in West
Texas, in the Illinois basin for example, and at depths from which we
now produce as a matterof course.
UnfortunatelyFigure XI does not show dry holes, but the technical
reader who is familiar with development in Kansas will immediately
recognize the vast areas of far Northwesternand Western Kansas, the
Salina basin, the Forest City basin, even many counties such as Kiowa,
of State Geological
FigureXI. Map of Oil and Gas Pools,State of Kansas.(Courtesy
Surveyof Kansas)
278

Transactions
Edwards,Rush,Pawnee,Reno and othersin whichtherehas been some

butwhichhave not been adequatelyprospected.Such areas
production,
seemto be barrenof oil and gas.
do notreasonably
D. F., 1963. The
An examination
of anymapor maps(see Merriam,
Bull.
Geol.
Kansas
Kansas:
of
162, figs95 and
Survey
geologichistory
rocks
of
distribution
96) showingthe patternsand
pre-Pennsylvanian
will also show the manypossibletargetsfor
beneaththe Pennsylvanian
substantialoil and gas productionwhich lie below the unconformity
rocks. Someof the
frompre-Pennsylvanian
thePennsylvanian
separating
fieldsin thesewedgebeltsof porosityare producingfromclosed structuresand were foundby structural
findingtechniques. Many others,
however,are producingfromtrapsin whichclosedstructure
playslittle
if anypart.
ProductionfromMississippianrocksof variousages, the Kinderhook sands,"Hunton",Maquoketadolomite,Viola, Simpsonand "Reato a greateror lesserdegreeby lithogan" are nearlyalwayscontrolled
are true"straand
outs"
ot "wedge
manyaccumulations
logicvariations
no
structure
part in the
plays
tigraphic"trapsin which local closed
"chat" (residualOsage cherts)
accumulation.Manyof theMississippian
fields,Glick and Lost Springs,for example, fall in this classification,as
does the West Lyons field,producingfromKinderhook sandstone,Peace
Creek producing from Viola dolomite, to mention only a few well
known examples.
And many of these fields were found by accident; by drilling a
"closed structure"which was not present.
There must be a bettermeans of searchingfor such accumulations.
Our technology,our exploration methods simply have failed to locate
more subtle,elusive deposits in many of these areas. Afternearlythirty
years in exploration,many of them prospectingin Kansas, the writer
has no hesitancyin predictingthat productionwill be found in many of
these non or poorly productiveareas within the next 10 to 25 years,
provided we properlyand objectivelyprocess and use the vast amount
of data available to us, thoroughlyunderstandthe local problems to be
make use of all of the sound and proven explorsolved, and thoughtfully
ation methods and techniquesand the assistanceof the invaluable, completely objective electroniccomputer.
References
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StaffordCounty,Kansas: GeophysicalCase Histories,a Symposium,Soc.
Explor. Geophysicists,1956, v. II, p. 310-327.
BEEBE, B. W., 1959, Case Historyof the Koelsch SoutheastPool, StaffordCounty,
Kansas: Kan. Geol. SurveyBull. 137, p. 249-274.
GeologicalEvploration
279
, 1941, Developmentof Petroleum:Historyof the Geological Sciences,

Calif. Inst. Tech. Division of Geological Sciences, private publication,
p. 131-148.
, 1963, Exploration Evolution, Continued Development or Regression
and Extinction:DistinguishedLecture,Soc. Expl. Geophysicists,now in
press.
BERRY,GEORGEF., JR.,and HARPER,PAUL A., 1947, Surface StructuralMap of
Augusta Field: Structureof Typical AmericanOil Fields, a Symposium,
Am. Assoc. PetroleumGeologists, 1948, v. III, p. 218, fig. 3.
BREWER,JOHN E., 1959, Geophysical Problemson Pratt Anticline,Pratt County,
Kansas: Kan. Geol. SurveyBull. 137, p. 275-280.
CARE, JOHN L., BROOKS, LEE, and WALLACE, CHARLES H., 1959, Geophysical
Case Historyof the Engel Pool, Kan. Geol. SurveyBull. 137, p. 281286.
CARSEY, J. Ben, and ROBERTS,MARION S., 1962, ExploratoryDrilling in 1961:
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, 1963, ExploratoryDrilling in 1962: Am. Assoc. Pertoleum Geologists Bull., v. 47, no. 6, p. 889-934.
CLARK, STUARTK., ARNETT, C. L., and ROYDS, JAMESS., 1947, Core Drill
StructureMap of Geneseo Field: Structureof Typical American Oil
Fields, a Symposium,Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists, 1948, v. III,
p. 236, fig. 8.
, 1947, Geneseo Uplift,Rice, Ellsworth,and
McPherson Counties, Kansas, Ibid, p. 225-248.
, DANIELS, JAMESI., and RICHARDS,J. T., 1928, Logging Rotary
Wells from Drill Cuttings: Am. Assoc. Petroleum Geologists Bull.,
1929, Vol. XII, no. 1, p. 59.
DEGOLYER, E., 1923, The Seductive Influenceof the Closed Contour: Economic
Geology, v. 23, p. 681-682.
ECKHARDT,E. A., 1952, GeophysicalActivityin 1951: Geophysics,V. XVII, no.
3, p. 441-451.
, 1953, Geophysical Activityin 1952: Geophysics,v. XVIII, no. 3,
p. 501-509.
Gas Facts, 1963 (A review of 1962), New York, Am. Gas Assoc. Bureau of
Statistics.
GLOVER, ROBERT H., 1959, InterpretingSeismic Data in Kansas: Kan. Geol.
SurveyBull. 137, p. 225-240.
GEOBEL, E. D., HILPMAN, P. L., BEENE, D. L., and NOEVER,R. J., 1962, Oil
and Gas Developments in Kansas During 1961: Kan. Geol. Survey
Bull. 160, 131 p.
GOULD, CHARLES N., 1959, Covered Wagon Geologist, Okla. Press, Norman,
Oklahoma, p. 178-204.
HAMBLETON,W. W., and MERRIAM,DANIEL F., 1957, Review of Geophysical
Activityin Kansas through1956: Kan. Geol. SurveyBull. 127, Part 1.
HAMMER,SIGMUNDI., 1954, GeophysicalActivityin 1953: Geophysics,v. XIX,
no. 3, p. 517-528.
, 1955, Geophysical Activityin 1954: Geophysics,v. XX, no. 3, p.
654-670.
HARPER,PAUL A., and BERRY,GEORGE F., 1947, Augusta Field, Butler County,
Kansas: Structureof Typical American Oil Fields, a Symposium,Am.
Assoc. PetroleumGeologists, 1948, v. III, p. 213-224.
, 1947, SurfaceStructureof Augusta Field, Ibid, p. 218,
fig. 3.
HAWORTH,ERASMUS,et al, 1908, Special Report on Oil and Gas: Univ. Geol.
Surveyof Kansas, v. IX, p. 5-316.
IMBT, W. C., 1941, Zenith Pool, StaffordCounty,Kansas-An Example of Stratigraphic Trap Accumulation: StratigraphicType Oil Fields, a Symposium, Am. Assoc. PetroleumGeologists, p. 139-165.
280
, 1941, SubsurfaceStructureof Zenith Pool, Ibid, P. 151, fig. 6.

JAMES,ALFRED III, 1963, StructuralMaps and PetroleumGeology of the AldrichArnold ProducingArea of Ness County,Kansas: Kan. Geol. Soc., 9 p.
and Illust.
JEWETT,JOHN MARK, 1954, Oil and Gas in Eastern Kansas, Kan. Geol. Survey,
Bull. 104, 397 p.
KOESTER,EDWARDA., 1959, A SuccessfulSeismic Programon the Central Kansas
Uplift, Kan. Geol. SurveyBull. 137, p. 351-355.
KUKLIS, A., MANKINS,W. W. GEOBEL, E. D., HORNBAKER,A. L., and HARDY,
R. G., 1963, The Mineral Industryof Kansas: U. S. Bureau of Mines,
p. 3-14.
LAHEE, FREDERICH., 1962, Statisticsof ExplorationDrilling in the United States
1945-1960: Tulsa, Oklahoma, Am. Assoc. of Petroleum Geologists.
135 p.
MCNEIL, HAROLD E., 1941, Wherry Pool, Rice County, Kansas: Stratigraphic
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Application of Geological Principles To Exploration For Oil and Gas in Kansas

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Application of Geological Principles to Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas

Application of Geological Principles to Exploration

ESTIMATED PROVED RECOVERABLE RESERVES a

and have declinedsteadilyand by nearlytwelvepercentsincethattime.

ESTIMATED PROVED RECOVERABLE RESERVES,

of NaturalGas, and Average

Value per MCF at Well Head, Kansas, 1946-1962.

Geological Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas

RESULTS OF EXPLORATORY DRILLING

Drillingin Kansas 1946-1962.

as new fieldsdeveloped,delayedthe peak yearof naturalgas reserves

CREW MONTHS OF SEISMOGRAPH OPERATIONS

KANSAS GEOLOGICALSURVEY, UILL.127 PT.

FigureIV. Numberof SeismicCrew MonthsWorkedin Kansas,1946-1962.

Geological Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas

There are several reasons which contributedto these developments.

A world oversupplyof crude oil.

Total Crude- Petroleum and Products

PERCENTOf CONSUMPTION SOURCE: U.S. BUREAU OF MINES

Haworthet al, the Kansas StateSurvey,and publicationof the classic

Kansas Academyof Science

SURFACE STRUCTURE OF AUGUSTA FIELD

REDRAWN FROM BERRY lt HARPER IN STRUCTURE QF TYPICAL AMERICAN

FIELDS (1941), P 218

Surface Structure Map of the Augusta Field Area.

GeologicalExplorationjor Oil and Gas in Kansas

surfacemappingin Kansasis almosta lostart. Manyyounger

TransactionsKansas Academy of Science

ate shiftof crestwith depth over sharperfeatures,but the deeper features

REDRAWN FROM CLARK et oL IN STRURE

AMERICANOIL FELDS (1948), P 236

Core Drill Structure Map of Geneseo Field Area, Rice County,Kansas.

GeologicalExplorationfor Oil and Gas in Kansas

betweenMesozoic and subjacentPermianstrata;regionaldips may be

TransactionsKansas Academy of Science

TransactionsKansas Academy of Science

discussedlater. Failureto recognize

Geological Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas

and the electroniccomputerhave. enabled the industryto undertake

PA' TRANSMISSION LOSSES

NORTHERN MID CONTINENT AREA

of Field and SyntheticSeismograms.

'lransactionsKansas Acadeny of Science

most cases in Kansas. A continuousvelocitysurveyof the well bore is

GeologicalExplorationfor Oil and Gas in Kansas

REDRAWN FROM CLARK et ol IN STRUCTURE OF TYPICAL

Field Area, Rice County,Kansas.

of the ZenithField Area,StaffordCounty,Kansas.

TransactionsKansas Academy of Science

Geoiofical Exploration for Oil and Gas in Kansas

Kansas Academyof Science

Edwards,Rush,Pawnee,Reno and othersin whichtherehas been some

, 1941, Developmentof Petroleum:Historyof the Geological Sciences,

TransactionsKansas Academy of Science

, 1941, SubsurfaceStructureof Zenith Pool, Ibid, P. 151, fig. 6.

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