39, 6s 4: GE 7S Bulletin No, 73 | i AgpeiL 20. 2925, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS James F, Woodward, Secretary BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHIC AND GEOLOGICAL SURVEY George H. Ashley, State Geologist al OIL AND GAS SANDS IN) THE NORTH HALF OF THE PITTSBURGH QUADRANGLE, PENNA, By M. E. Johnson This paper summarizes the results of a study to determine the depth, thickness and character of the oil and gas sands-‘encountered fowedts Ori licd in the city of Pittsburgh, anc in Plum, Penn, Patton, Wilkins,. Braddock, North Versailles, Mifflin, end Baldwin townships in Alleghcny County. Although this area lias been thtrovughly mnetured with drill-holes, and the Gepths to the prodvcing sands ave long been well known, little offcrt has been made to correlate the different sands or to determine how they change in short distances, The author collected and studied all obtuinabie records of wells @rillicd in this area and presents here his findings. To determine the depth of the various sands-below the Pittsburgh coal or its horizon, eaci recsrd was scrutinized, the interval between the top of the well and the horizcn cf the Pittsburgh coal (most of the wells were startcd stratipraphically below the Pittsburgh coal) determined by subtracting the elevation at the well mouth from the elevation of the Pittsburgh coal as shown on the structure sheet of the quadrangle, and this intcrval added to the depths to the sands mewrecordea by the drilicr. The intervals were computed for each . township, (except Braddock which was treated together with the city’ of Pittsburgh). Fair averages could not be given for smaller areas, and the townships are large enough to show the change in the average intervals from one to the nox. The following table fives the depths to the various sands, shows where they are usually productive, and indicates their correlation. »/ re a) \ gta Be ‘ ‘ \ ' ‘ i + "4 i J i ' Py) ‘ \ ‘, ‘ . an ‘ . ve *h in \ , t \ \ eau MT TS oe ile Pa Aa HAMMIMSPAIbN ss Pata at vehe baile! ea AN RAR AN A cs \ wat AN Aa) rhe) We itt ; "4 J ie ; eo ARTA Rem Y NOI ce ee UR or pe APs ys t eit ‘ { UNL AGLARWIA AMUN ath Le) nt, f ’ wt tet ee : cy e mh i { ‘ i LAG ( , ‘ trey Ty} vy ¢ . 4 i* yi J ac ) yaa 4 Vi dk ; ‘ y I » man | Fi | Hanis Piety f Prats ty) i ky) , 4 t HR uO ier , Meret ecw T jet Sa RA aa } ‘ } i _ f Wave | iy t nae i ' ) ‘ M4 4 rt i t A ‘ j . 1 ai a yy ‘ , ' i 4 } ne y i‘ Meath fy Hl yy @ 4 loli sata ' hy { , ‘ | Wight ae! f j - a 4) da : ; WV i b a rey oe nt ‘ vt , ’ * ¥ “ / 0 CR a ti i f : nad iitdp , Dae. one ae Crit aa ry, \ i i ") he i » J ‘ ‘ n / : ak Ue Vd ie } a j i a jyiia at rd . ( , hl Vig : 1 y ' i Pe any tat . RAD a 1 ' Y F (i e ST 4p eal id y i ‘ i f \ RES 4 Fi led hath an x ae i) ( : i UU Beate r 4 t y oe: je 4 le) FU ls : “i P ee PP re Maa UA a) ROU ‘i at a 4 Re aS 7p. ¥ i f : " nf ny POY iets bh Sate nD EN ¢ hot UAE Pua Velns er ae i ne Nah iL Average distance to "sands" and "markers" from base of Pittsburgh coal, in fect, with number of well records uscd in (). Sands & Township or other arca: other — Strata cn- eee a ie “ Er _ where countercd s 338 Eu fi z ef z 8&5. § comnon- & noted by] %& a oe = I ed 2 63>. & ly pro- ; > a ee BL | a > te Orr, it eriiicr, a rs z S $ < 2 & z ers z duetive eee o > ifiee Upper » 645 632 638 625 628 630 617 630 £613 Freeport PRP VERT SOCR} OE AI Bh Re oe Coil ohag Coal Upner 766 765 "58 742° 747 755 39 Bantanne. (4) {1) eA G0 aeimeaer es Ce eae Coul Middle Re pO ws PRR OS TIO) ee BOW AIS POR) RST meee «§69{50) (11) {29} CPP 145) (9) fAvus CA oat 2) Coal, Lowor 865 848 6845 847 843 S841 808 848 £838 ew CAP Shot Sh hI Colao (She {2) Ogee Salt 1063 1045 1033 1010 1032 1029 1056 1041 1052 Sand Ce) Ca) ETS Ph, 18) CS Lea PIB CI) OF} a Big Lime bd a b a a 5 a ¢ and catek 2109 J21e° LisoOr 1109 1174 2156 11463 Peewee tS LSP Eas OTL) fle} 018) (11) Chunk). .+ee b b shale 1125 1140 (2) (1) Big Injun -a ; a a: a a sand Pee RATE LITO IF L 2368) (L187) 1284° 3181. 1159 a, Uppor (52) (16) (34) (14) (23) (36) (24) (9) (35) Split b d b b Aa b Lower 1312 1290 1338 1305 1289 Split (44) Le eee O ie £3) (6) Squaw 1549 1575 1537 1519 1569 1543 1551 1524 1509 sand a STN ey TOR OP G9 AES 22 AS GR ea =e 8 Berea L776: 1660 1786 1777. 2786. 1762 W611 4767 #1761 = Peh. sand Petoe (bioitea 7) LB) hae) CB). (9). 087) Murrys- 1878 1864 1875 1871 1890.1697 1865 1872 1826 Bldwn. Weeee go, top) feo) (68): (16). 436) 447) (18) {18) (33) N.V¥er. . Peas So nee dd Me vty Way alk Abr uae ‘ ob lyin oa gh en ( thy fre! Rage: , if f Pi i) ey A oh Mra i” Sa Mee os aie . si vies DROP nee akan orth sevoD Ms segarek ogee LOE 4 Ke OC i yy . o'er ly: nd wg Oy ive ataaeih ANA er Fey otto) t i " i K ‘a fh ¥ ie ‘ : } WN An (hgh 4 ' . ' { 2 ee ve ah if he ; Ws Nt \ ¢ ' . Oey NR rm an we bs y STE a Se : ty rf : hi 7 ‘Ss . wy . : ‘ : ") a, ™ m ast y A : ‘ ! ; ‘ N ae mh . nid sh yeaaaens “ Qidase diners > sia " rhs arriba Wb A sheen a OC eta ad yeas Ai fen t x sreeieninaeite Ares Sands & Township or other area other Strata en- me te f £ countered wi ty ui) z an z S35 = Where & noted bys 22 52 é “ Ce ! aH > 2 commonly driller. {7 Zo ow es E ov = Ol 4 produc- 2B tenons a 2 a a 4 oA eg Uae MBER 18 Bye az a 2 memereda. 2007 2005 1999 2005 2023 2040 1985.:1997 1960 Baldwin med mde? 155) (41) (15) (38) €47). (26). (7) (S1)>- Nae Vers for Plum Gantz } ; Patton Penn Fifty . £038 2017 foot sd, (3) (13) meeeuy £1568 21435 21353 2107 2141 2148 2109 2136 2102 meeeds, §«6f ot) 6 6(13) 6 6(39) (2) GE oe 8 Bie os Ea bia do he Ra lf (33) Snee 2183 2173 2173 2188 2217 2177 2182 Pem sand (3) a ae a ee Se (15). (15) (35) Boulder 2219 2210 2222 2207 2239 2280 2224 2216 2227 weepcon (17) {11) (12) (3) (10) (9) 9) (4) {17) Stray) sand | Third 2280 2282 2278 2260 2312 2336 2281 2259 2274 Baldwin Ore. CLT) 09) 2290 07) (8) (379). Hest. fd) (36) Gordon : £309 ; sare. (4) Fourth 2345 2335 2351 2338 23572 2382 2354 2376 2343 1 sand Pam tor, S00 "f6)) (ae) - (8) (26) {5) (ey) Penn Wilkins Fifth 2441 2432 2425 2401 2441 2448 2414 2437 2458 Penn meme © (73)- (20) 37) 15) ) (24) (23) 9 (15) (4) 9 (17). Patton Plum Mifflin Baldwin Sixth 2489 2499 2490 2446 2492 2517 2486 2485 2485 Patton sand CO (2d (IBN (299 (1S (BY MoCL}os (By. Baléwin Rai Oe ea al 2489 | phos Hliza, 2539 2533 2554 2544 2545 2581 2537 2517 2542 Patton sand. fosmetos mth) “C4)o 80) “esp orcoy “a)o> (4)0 plum mere 2 | z i. Ver. Penn a“ Bemba eps ary 1% FON ee a O'S ONE, ‘ i. + » * a t aa i, i, MASEL NE Ok 1) ee Cor ay. ~ Rit PONE SE = tes Baca, ane Py iS Sane a en ak Beg r - a. eters % bk newad 4 a ty nee ots ue . Py ei oe re te oe Te Rad oe EAS + “f See > ce re ed = Cree Oe ee gece ner mb i : DAs O18 GOES) IS TOUR: BRE, SR se H weed: VORs) (Oth) tee tee Cate Cees i | bk Wh HR Renee GRAS 0S SRR A i Re Hh ‘ V7 a hy by) “" pas, ‘tae < . in grt vay au ae a we: is a Je.) aT Tes taba pelea 4 oy hae bee ae SeCawlen oe fatten hepeeale oe oe AC oe irs i tartan Bin Nc ohgs api ot vie AN a + es pee ee ee ee ee eo ee Pe Pal Ma at el Sy ovary 4Or) eh iat" a ie ak ih fy) na Ate Cu ca untey f s 4 a eur ie + AU Wh 0g be ms CPO i ; MW) Ceo - i nL eas he nee fey ee, 5 x RY Tei heanpee b * sf ™ : ® > “ re q 4 ~ r : i tan ad * WAS felirias fh) AS eae 4 * PW a ee ee ee > UR a Oa ine ee ie } rt Sy het R th, Pe He SPAiy) wel gi Fi tenn aa as hr ipeabee atc ane am ae I 7 ee TV eR ! * + ¥iTe he A ; ; 7 ee! ae es Wiest : ow ‘ 7 Pane seen ngereuiedig Ayes cae Wa aees Tahal Lie lem Sy ae Sand & Township or other area eo other erin strata en- " ¥ countered wins ts iy » “2 H & noted by =n ae 2 = ae Z Ee = ithere driller. 5 os O5 < : = rm OO 3, commonly ja 209 => = » O08 > an aia (epee. a2 a a 2 First pee, OL97.. BSiLSS, )S186 93205 4203 3177 Baldwin Speech, (46) (2) (2) (3) (3) (2) (13) Patton sand plum Second 3289 3233 3293 SeS7 > 3526 S297. 3264 N. Ver, Speech. (19) (2) (3) OATS Gag yr ot Bag a nn we Patton sand Tiona 3420 3417 sand (9) (4) Shef- 3555 S607 3575 3535 3565 fiela (7) (2) (1) (2) (5) sand Sand 3705 ; 3766 (6) (5) First poae .BO56 S791 2861 3881 Bradfra. (6) (3) (2) (5) (i) sand Second 3900 3926 3946 4920 Plum Bradfrd. (15) (4) (3) Pas sand In determining the average intervals to the various sends it was found that some of the sands vary widely in their stratigraphic | position and others are quite constamt. It was expected that the Mauch Chunk red shale and the Catsxill red beads would be of great help in making correlations - yarticularly when the elevaticn of the well was lacking, or worse, when both the exact location and elevation, were unknown. Unfortunately this was not the case. Qhe Weuch Chunk red shale undoubtedly is missing in the stratigraphic section through- out much of the area under discussion and where present is so thin that in many wells the drillers did not notice it; The Catskill ~ red beds almost certainly uvderlie the whole area, but many Grillers do not recognize their valve as markers, and in many well records no mention is made of them. I% is hoped that in the future drillers will ~ay more attention to these valuable markers. A third horizon at which red beds occur is below the Squaw sand‘and above the Berea. Since only a few records note these red beds, they are probably not of wide extent. aL AL Whata watris line came foes wriy os Ack Nal Veeck eb mee ae che ssi cae ain Hain lsddibainnihs dbl swine " 7 one ‘ y wlan \ gaa oth Raa 1 a he th ae RR) Pee UAGEE RINE SOR | ae Vee. ue nit 4 te : ‘ ta, Oo) ‘ ; | eae ad ah i Ess int SS a eo \ a te ans Wich , «. gn gen Tesh oh eR oe Soe SOR aaa. SESE vy on ext? OF "ia So ‘f Boy % ae BAN ue GR fh « Neer ree wh tee Uh Be er ia SO a} ; Pte el mY i My Pe i CO Ta RR Me 8 ee t SS AS CT AN NM A ake ae Bi 4 : xd "A ¥ LOR (panes ; , i rs , wh eee y ; Yb Ray ; i { 3 ae bo SO eed tn bate re n'y ey ey Ww) RAS ir Te) id Ove Be) oigak ae “ i a aoe See } hy 4 NY - / , yy rare BM eis ead \ ey aly er, a ated bay as Thal Pd Ria oie | LEY , ~~ ; He ‘ 4 4)" ' ni \ Meer Et bear pai CSG: ; a Neth 4 ‘ * 7 f ¥%' as } ay, oe Os ( ae i b oF ap Ke ie i A Ne . ve ‘ 7 Zt { P f : i n Pensa rere A mabey | 1% “" Pa mth uid si ed ee by oe: Gigead eye ia MO ty Bae ee ie ate eet cel a sate ats UV, UL ES ae iu i A a Sinbinah Ghat beer eT Le tm wale hy Os D not es ei 4) Ra or > OP DIG PRD, om | iy ll " f : nye Pes wey) tt Moy ahah Mes u ne 02 wit a Bae i Past? rigs S ‘ fa A PANE eta a Ay er fs ‘y i, ‘ “y ty Aste’ Nye ys we pita g Sai ae va nie? ey dais RONEN TON TATA fe £1 4. is PAT Ne i ee? sit PO RY A at Pa oe es Pea Tae oe (he? a ee EH tn Pe a 8 ‘ Mie Biter Sika pty cana Gk TD) | Re vee PRAY Ut OLR eND Thi (aT nea rk. vie ne nee ‘aye yo aie ep " dik ethatown = ~*~ > mun th ‘hag a MT ee ue a Tin cpt aeetae og heey uy eayt A Ea aie Reay cee bai 2) y Aus Ge: Wy ay Ar ‘ohan outed a: ia Od ~ ik: MOUe) BeOLy pve atimube oF viSTAR) er ee Att It will-be noted that nany of the intervals for Wilkins town- ship are smaller than the corresponding intervals for nearby town- Ships, This condition is attributable to the fact that the upper half of the Conemaugh formation is thinner here than in any other township in the region studied. On the other hand, the intervals in both Patton and North Versailles townships are ereater than the average. Re-checking the figures showed that this phenomenon is not due to mistakes in figuring the intervals; furthermore the same condition has been founc farther northeast, and also southwest. A possible explanation is that this thickening of the strata is due to the presence of the Murrysville anticline. The force which created the anticline might have caused a thickening of the strata in a manner similar to that shown in the illustrations of Bailey Willis’ article on "The Mechanics of Appalachian Structure."* It will he noted that in a majority of his experiments the increase in thickness due to lateral compression is greatest along the axis of the folds and that this effect is particularly pronounced where nost of the material used in the experiment is relatively soft, This latter con- dition would seem to hold in the region being discussed, as by far the greater part of the stratigraphic colurm there is composec of Shale. Fig, 1 is intended to show the condition of o block of the earth's crust before and after the earth movements which procuced the folds of the Appalachian region. Figure 1 Wab" = "ed" but less than "ef" The same results can be obtained in an easy manner by exerting lateral pressure on the two edges of a thick, paper-bound book, providing that the greatest lateral movement takes place at the top. Unéer such conditions (and it seems probable that those conditions existed at the time of the formation of the Appalachian folds) a fold is produced which is thickest at its axis and thicker than the volume when flat, Neen ee ene erp aerate eat a ee ee NN ee ¢ *\/illis, Bailey, Us S. Geol, Survey, Thirteenth Annual Report, part RS ia 8 PRR CE ng ee: oe Se thy pp nea Cal “ys Ve ity tage RT ks w if: peal a » AG ce day Aol Mah ey r iy all ey wk iy (i be CT ARTE a Ly ADO ne a te We Fr ‘hn v ite i, : yy ha va 1 Me, aoe stole cman 2 w ty poe y Jeg Saray gh Sa alk mh mt int x eK 4 ihe BAneH Ebro pi My, ye hi (¢ Hn vip ot, te he . Aire iitanpiipne rictegre + rebates Phe ahey iv at ; f ‘twit yy Aa " D Ae b/ WH i has k 1 ee de yy oe cr a 4 09 Ceo Sica Se MS OS a ae Tie ieesul soe bial Wis piesignderc re Y Parte ge eves oy ees STS hg aia bi Rae Mi pug [Pee Bey ays ‘ Beceeen bt Soo gtbarys meter: bar CO Bh eka the heey DUTOD GAT Loek hatin FE Ad Gehry ey ale ott te RO uty RAC) OAT | Bia MEL GENO gh pee hid, NEL NO vie he, ae a he ib oniuilletcte ee: AS WE NOH ond ag Tam Dal Ph y oe r Ary Th mp fh ty ih i Vie VK hy ey Pye) ne 4 Beh y tit ON xe 8 evi freee Ooh : SL AS Re Wa 8 aS nechyouses ek Sey WS ero eri, CMR LR SN BAT 85 eee cate Bh Meh a ze UY Sey Pay “ody Sonainhoty chen iekinag cy Poet ta ee ier ‘ AYA Yat AA wouey: adh 0k he Ay Wa VOR . a ROMA dh Ras Aa OR Sea i a Dike Pe si BOE eet of ee CSC hy ee ne Poy ne Me 9 pa EM. SOUR) Ot). BR i tag oat HOS p' PT RSA AE Ea ta a ean a oteigets hehe wat ‘Re: tag * Waka: Ne AE 2 ea a he SONU Steve SVR Sa 1 nego Ba f OR he LAU WKN Wie Nn MMe ca mee 6 1 i Da AI ys as if ie HOO LG Ns iow toms bail to oh SA tan ga 4 nt 1 LN ae Wo “Oak belie SEAN ca char ca ep average oe Sole be RUN Mt end meme i Lv cf ms ci \ } ae? Ron Ligh tiripi ‘\rytalall CLM Sonya With a Seog” Arie gting bia Bnd M ‘ Me Wh \ nh PIANO, “ABRIL Saisie? cdo ale em wy j lene, 1) ‘ ig q ebopalen’ ee eth de ektailils Saa reve tele nae ea rely 4 b Aen h tt 4 sey ; rr awh Pinata eee et Shitiagna I i ee ale Pe \ j Heyy j y nal vn bow Miles TARY i ue egy. i weve. i cing ne bain ; " if 4 i es er iM f 7 aie Mai nee Ri stein wal chine shee iM ; Wihijass’ Wess a : ‘ ae monn” wen 4 eat tid Ta ! Oe of sige otNy a bonbaaty ea? me a tan Hea A ee By wef Sr Sh 5 hy is Me EMD ee tn ps iy We: ; a 6 fag me | ay oD vr m Y i 14 ag th HS) pied ‘fhe oh Coit x6 if tw og > ay one Ted ohare: i a a te aha hermit 65 The thickening of the strata along the Murraysville anticline could also be explained if we assumed that the anticline occupied the ap»roximate position of that part of the Appalachian trough which received the greatest deposit of material eroded from the ancient Appalachian highlands. Until detailed cham have been made ot other Similar structures, it is thought unwise to hazard an Opinion as to the true cause for 7 vhe phenomenon descr ned, One other feature of the table which should be explained is the columm entitled "Where commonly productive." Nearly all of the sands below the Kittanning coals are productive at some point in the area under discussion; many of the lower sands are productive in several widely spread localities (of very restricted area) not mentioned in this column; the table gives oniy those areas where the Sands are commonly praductive., Of course, even in the areas menti s:ned the sands are dry in some welis, Description of "sands" and "markers,"* Gas sand. A name that crillers in Mifflin and Baldwin town- Ships, and farther south, apply most frequently to a sand about 750-775 feet below the Pitts sburgh coal. The title apnears to be quite loosely applied to sands which oocur anywhere from 650 to 850 feet below the Pittsburgh coal. The sand is unimportant and inthis ares never contains more than a puff of gas. Maximum thickness, 80 feet; average, 40 feet, Pirst Salt sand, A term loosely applied by drillers, chierly in Baldwin and Mifflin Townships , to an unimportant sand. Depth to top of sand from base of Pittsburgh coal, 880 to 960 feet, | Second Salt sand. (simply Salt sand in most townships.) A more definite but relatively unimportant horizon, although it is occasionally productive in Baidwin and Mifflin townships. It becomes increasingly thinner and less important towards the north- east. Salt sand is so called because it commonly contains salt water, Typically it is a white, hard sand;-in some places itis re te by shale partings. Max cimun thickness, 60 feet; average, 40 eet. Big Lime. An important marker in Baldwin, Mifflin and North Versailles townshinvs, Thins ravidly towards the north. The great thickness (as much as 55 fees) given in some well records is not believed to be one solid bed of limestone, but rather several relatively thin limestone layers interbedded with cla 4y and shale, Mauch Chunk red shale. Occasionally noted in Penn and Plum townships; apparently lacking elsewhere. Maximum thiclkmess, 40 feet, A ES PSE SEE EN AN EEES ~ ectieaties \ he glee ae i ; ‘ X . " ‘ te, ae SLE Oa ies, gov't ay 7 a my ree ete § ce ee aay Me ere Pa ‘ Pee a ; : v i es CM Nabe oh RAE AS ae Nia aN de Na i bio WAP mnt uke JU {y CE a " ‘ iw / . J i,t nt) Be ns Sea : Na We - — nif “i ¢ eg eer \‘w sf ¢ fad + f a, nh ig ' AS De ape rae vie x mM oe a } i , te? Mba W ' . é \ ¢ j ve Me pry ae vay . A aw vA AE Ne Sy 1 ah oe ‘ qa ai ‘ 7 é 1. KD ' al el Ll ay {ine a Ai a HE RPL 8 any ae a i” wh , ‘ i ee F % r w ra 2 we vm & eon we ‘ ‘ y . , it u my Vas ile eT mi / y Ni a 4 iy WHA A nay ri ph a rie d fe uh ne we Net ¢ : i 14 vs o Pe ee Ah we ha ioe at rN ; ¢ ad i mie nd A bar \y \ Pv 7) a ee My Cae HEY : , ad 4 hy hie Ps 2) PAG hel ol fy ec ips oY Ee a. , a dine ila Shr 4 Y } ‘ " % i = ald ‘ect 4 % " ete, ate \ ; ‘ { r hy ’ { } a | Kt PS “ ; i “ eR ae i i, y) p i oo t : ’ : (’ f dee tf , y ; sf My * Tet) r “ : er aor Aha hae epee J b A a wy + ya , i ; yt \ . ve " ov ; \ , > i . a | ah! Wai vy sy 1 : nN ae neat : yf k (* raw Me AL : ie by , he Aa ) r , vy oad } R Ue ‘ ri Ra ba " . , 4) a { i é , iy 1 ew { i H + } ve \ ‘ d de - 5 ‘ f 5 ; 1 ai i ‘i ’ i H Mie weet a, Y et SY ' vit — * Ae Wed ene i i ‘ / * j N ( et i ia 4) {Py { \ P ¢ by di ‘ aur " - hii y ww Mec i ed kay ‘ , pyar , ‘ nds ha j (i i I ' { 4 wat , ) i i ¥ } 4 We ait = Sitges WEF \ aD wt ; d ABA We! See § ( ig ca ay 1) hs yA Moe ver bi Qi a > eA ay tid 4) a , yA Na : . ¢ “ iene M h ALP f ie ‘ 4h, ve Ae eA ial | 4 4 ‘ ' Pi p " a he ae ie tea) | bor aall é ,. m é " VA ¢ A Vacs ve 3) thor \ if . J y eae La) ahha : oe Oa Paes any are Dig A ee Je / ; rye b 4 ‘ oe A oA ne » ie wah , ny : F My , ) } ) WPA vi y e i ah , } i ry A iM h 1 a) i A Aa ude D 7 n 4 ge iy i oh ie wt TY a ; J 1 odie Ande oT" 7.) by r i ) ‘i ¥ ‘7 nN { te: oe yk Ss ‘ nl of , . ay m oe ae i Hore wa . rat \) Cael ’ 4 " Ay ee hie lai re i Ade i fa il ny sees i shysAnt , Bu / Pa i OR Rag ee Ee yr Sp ik mt Fe F ij ' Wh. ‘ WE any ey eS AN etek ee hate store ~ Ps “ee y \ i i / ae 4 Hea i i, Cee mel) i f { : y ¥ ¥ j i / At i ”, ee ares fil eo Big Injun sand, An important horizon. A massive sandstone ‘With a minimum thickness of over 200 feet which is usually revorted as a Single unbroken stratum in Penn, Baldwin and Mifflin townships. Hilsewhere it is split by relatively thin shale beds into two or three thick sandstone beds. The sand is usually light colored and of medium hardness, In many places (more particularly in the south- west) it contains a small quantity of gas, and is frequently water- bearing. The importance of the Big Injun sand is more as a marker for the drillers, than for the amount of gas it contains. It is readily recognized by its great thickness, ee ee eee a fairly constant horizon. The sand is usually gray to white, hard and dry. It is economically unimportant. Maximum thickness, 150 feet; average, 70 feet. Berea sand. The unusually short interval to this sand'in the northern part of Penn township determined from drill records, is thought to be due to the disappearance of the true Berea sand. The sand recorded as Berea at about 1630 feet is probably a split of the oquaw. A sand at 1775 feet below the Pittsburgh coal is noted in one welli-record and vrobably represents the true. Berea. The sand contains both gas and water in the Duquesne syncline but elsewhere is usually dry or contains water only. Several weils in Penn town- Ship got water and small quantities of gas in this sand. The color is variously reported as dark, gray or white. The sand is usually reported as hard and tight. In Baldwin township, where it is most persistent, it averages about 40 feet thick. liurraysville sand. Although gas is often round in this sand, it frequently is accompanied by water, and wells which start with an initial production of over a million cubic feet are drowned out within a few days or weeks, The formation is usually soft to medium hard, light gray to white in color and ranges in thickness from 60 to 150 feet, averaging slightly over 100 feet. The sand is quite regular in most of the townships but towards the west changes rapidly from a massive sandstone to a sandy shale which is reported by drillers only as slate and shells. The interval to the top of the sand decreases westward and also, but less, to the north. Toward the southwest the sand is apt to be broken and split into two or more parts by shale and limestone beds. Hundred-foot sand. A prolific sand. Of greatest importance in Plum township where oil has been obtained from it for many years. Contains gas in large quantities in several different localities. It is most regular and thickest (maximum, 145 feet; average, 110 feet) towards the east and northeast. Towards the west the sand is broken and split by shale beds. It commonly is water-bearing, but the water and gas may be separated by a cementing of the sand or a thin shale parting so that by careful drilling a well can be success- fully brought in without danger from water. The sand is typically a white, medium-grained to coarse sandstone of moderate hardness. Occasionally it is reported as gray or dark, Pifty-foot sand, A split of the Hundred-~foot sand. See ahove. ae: ae pees uy yp ehSs iti) ae 4, m ey i eh way ir ot oi at j ANP \GN TY dt et) ial Ly mi, Dowd ek oh v, Ehime PR ay et lay : ; ¥ ‘ u a MN. fe i {i Ai Ke j i Hh ar Reet rts a Qh eu ri snout rbesi ae Sm Ker ae atid r tpi ‘wa OR SS SA gh OF 8 + WS ie. yt Sree: eath “URES OE a At hed } Banedy { mao ay et i Pe eT Wire ar ct l rg LR & Nik ie LG cue: en) ea \ A) wae ws ah 4 y pe Y cm ib re tt ahh adhd. Ye: comtaaine eet sy AR SRO URN AR AN vere ft 0 a PR Ge ea ea UW ae RM psthoe Re lnshe wt OT Rat —_ aed “th “ pent Biv ‘ # is Amoraotht toate eek od bes i i ne Crate: H NRA OLS MIS SY AM de ols OSB Sima ty mM heey. hi abit EM COR he BRS ULE RR AEE: | NSIS EET. a RN a fiat no. SP GR OR KOC OREN RN PTB Ae. BA CaS YL cpu Daeey ve Edm vauantt LEER Pane VR, AT OME i CRE Leet ante t id TI Wd Aidt AREY eft Wa CH Fe mee Ste haa nh ads ®) ict ie Os: Trey my a ee UT. RN SUR cy te cope eRe aR our Be ee Kiely bf Sahay 9 , toda Site ee OT wha: aot inept ie Lt Oe dae: hee Sh, ee $e i wae ‘gar CA ie call oe i Ma Ldadorar Bins UCAS a: Me a ee re TR Wie MMR Ae CMe sch IRR A ON) Me Gg! A OR CMM TE be co sus eta log “CT BA Bey Lovnoe ot am LOE coun i. Sanpie oyt Oe 0k Bane Oe a ASAI BS resign Pare GL og ne » wee 4 a ‘| 1 4 - i 1%, * ' f any “ dy a 4 Ma ee f % \ Mh ob it ‘as ! ¢ Aly A us hidvh \ ne 4 f ra f Ke f ; , ey alte {} tw % hy t A nn it fu By is AIA ed fa fi Bes Tod ye, Peng st ie ae a LR Se rake BOM OL os 9 9 ipa Lhe Betaat oy ue Pe Odo iy ania wh ee ad A ek Shee tee Ba Ra oh! 4G nO nae vee rR 8 at te oy a a" TOO Bt ae Bee 7 aw wow bohaoiaoota aa rs) WS, Ooh ee id oa's he Li & ore: “ho mo ome aio wt Pepe Ee Aun aie ot Oat. Caen tes -eepab: wh ie Ce Oe Made be Bh RE halos ah et taw ad vena: & SRE MO i oth avo Wy dat ele tLe a tty | m | ae iS muna s riverine Ayes Ty ter | A ANOS Td NOI: OCT RNR | et OLN > eine te hecee arioonn &. mo: Oe AO oes ond ot Liorvetyt ent sadiemte, bow etatie ce neal es Me PO Be 50 LA 5 9 A A NC ORL bits Saw ee ae 4 Ont io oot otk gh hoe ‘pee iweserd od of Fan. Bh Bora | ehod enotaomss Bree ol at a ONE BS hidcalauaal AER ma BL Rain @ RUMI 9 BL TET on Fe Sa ‘gee oe tox CON, AGS COR OL) OT ROT GOP eR mood ¢ Ml LEO: yer ae i Ce Oe Race mY MU ity Re a IR A oe Cae Ba wt y A Sunanalgy RY ry Sos | WA. Btn ooca ahh) A umes hi Kh @eorle kee Ati ee eS ONS ein Maat ga ee cae dah LO MES ae poy Devo Pix ae ages SSIS LORE Hane metal, At id ta 6) oo ae 0 A ‘idl ser gi Be WO TR: ORL A SA Eh Re NE | pin “Lewin Oh pd Sh Ad pahdhe 7 patiedy “a 3 fb LAN th Sat ape aie wLOb Ory mae ent @ RATE OMY. total oi (Beh iba i + inode Bou i me o OTD NE Thirty-foot sand. Relatively unimportant. Recorded:as found in only about one out of three wells in Plum, Patton, Penn, Wilkins and North Versailles townships. Towards the west it is more per- Sistent. In Baldwin and Mifflin townships it is locally productive, One or two wells in Patton and Fenn townships have also found paying quantities of gas in this sand. It is typically a hard, tight sand which varies considerably in thickness but is usually less than 50 feet. Commonly it is dry. Catskill red beds, Red shale often occurs close beneath the Thirty-foot sand, but according to the well records at hand, the position of the first red bed is by no means constant. Apparently the first red bed may occur anywhere from 2080 to 2200 feet beneath the Pittsburgh coal, There is a fairly constant increase in the interval to the first red beds from west to east. (See also previous discussion.) Snee sand. Unimportant. Like the Thirty-foot, it is most persistent in Baldwin and Mifflin townships. It is productive only in the Blackadore Ave, pool just east of the Pittsburgh city limits. Here it attains its maximum thickness (65 feet), Ordinarily the sand is light-colored, hard, dry and less than 30 feet thick. Boulder (Gordon Stray) sand, A thin, unimportant sand which is usualiy hard, dry and barren of either oil or gas. It is most persistent in Baldwin township but even there is not recorded in the records of half the wells drilled. This sand and the two just above are so close together that it is difficult to correlate them. The fact that in some areas they unite and in others they disappear, does not make the task any easier. The sand usually is red. Its maximum thickness is about 20 feet, Third or Gordon sand. Although a more constant horizon than either the Boulder or Snee sands, this sand also is relatively thin and unimportant, It is productive in part of Baldwin township and in a few scattered spots in other townships. Mostly it is barren of both gas and water. The sand apparently is split underneath the city of Pittsburgh and the immediate vicinity. It is usually red and hard. Maximum thickness, 40 feet; average, 16 feet. Fourth sand. Gas has been obtained from this sand in paying uantities in every township included in this study. In two of them Patton and Plum) however, only one or two wells got more than-a show of gas. In the western part of the area under discussion, the sand is usually described as white and of medium hardness. Elsewhere it is red and apt to be hard. It varies in thickness from 0 to 50 ‘feet, averaging about 30 feet. The stratigraphic position is fairly constant within township limits. This and all lower sands are usually free of water except where it has been let in by abandoned and ‘improverly plugged welis,. Fifth sand. Although productive over a smaller area than the Fourth sand, this sand undoubtedly has producec more gas than any sand above it save perhaps the Hundred-foot. In both Penn and Plun - townships it is the chief producing (gas) sand. It is more regular ae ee. OLR # ‘ we my ay Ces pat “ y - Ake 4 i | “ \ q ‘ 7 f “¥ sot \ ey ‘ ‘ ee ct SAS Sy y . * re 3 HM 0) pee rt ab or Ly Me ty: thy a Het is , ‘ow oy OM H { a a DO WT I y sh PA Fan SSRI Va 0 In on Oa Tae Co ALN An ; “ a rey % Penn i. ; ne \ P 1 4 whey oh te ww Pitas a ‘ 4 ne BCLORN Out WE aE asd hs PS hy ‘ y AN ‘¥ : AN y 7 { Ph \ Dial pit ptt ‘ ‘ . by ” ‘ & ‘ ; 4 Tee! . ‘ , f Fh sy Me { TES : | : Mpa is r y i Dau ' ; v ms) i Ny " Oi we Per Ne v yon 8 Ne [ Y ‘ \ . Hem nh ‘ ee a Mateh honk Coa ny ais . a 4 | : . aM aimed Mn Mh) Ocal MINN * u y 8% ( : ee Ve ’ vt ve i vie g * U ua ‘ Le La ‘hinge Pub & Ta ety, J sey Vee 4 ote Mokiiieas u \ il : ‘ ; i ’ ; 4 ¥} i y, ' Mn aidan § ‘ WN a a 8 i Olas sat “ ' \ : hh : ; [ Ni " ate ta ik i he " } pete ery) wile 0) lhe ein : " " 4 if a, AUT ae ee 7 4 ; , } ‘ 4 CL. Bele yy Lh vd | 5. 4) Pde \ eragen ; , é eyry & ‘ & Y Rae 1 , ’ i ni | Pee Ase #5 Oe Wad 4 ‘ } 5 eR Ay ae if id 4 Woe / , { P ee 4 ) m th : ay oe ‘ ; é y "ow ® ‘ On a thy : tt ry j > Poder , y rpapewe ; nee id ri 4 . “a A an ‘ » * 4 hi ny ! va LO Bs7 Ow PNP Se Ae tev aeidieh ahie nie “ * : : Pm / f 4 ' a ‘ i i P| ey) te fh f , "Las % iy w ¥h bibles than the #ourth sand and averages about 5 feet thicker. It is usually found just below the Catskill red beds although occasionally a rec bed is reported below it, Where productive the sand is open, light colored and of medium hardness, Elsewhere it is hard and gray. Like many of the sands already described, it thins and disappears towards the west. Sixth sand, As shown by the table, this sand is not per- Sistent except in Plum, Patton and N. Versailles townships, It is not important even there. Usually it is thin (less than 30 feet) and it may range in color from dark to white. In Plum and Patton townships it occasionally contains "shows" of oil. Elizabeth sand. This gand is also most persistent in Plun, Patton and North Versailles townships and attains its greatest importance along the Murraysville anticline. In the western town- Ships usually it is either missing or very thin. Its color ranges from dark to white, and the texture from fine and hard, to medium and moderately soft, It occasionally contains small "shows" of oil .and in Patton township one small pool was developed. In the latier township it attains a maximum thickness of 40 feet, but averages only 18 feet. Between the Llizabeth and First Speechley sands there is no sand of sufficient importance or persistence to warrant describing it. Such sands as are reported are usually thin and dark-colored. No production has been reported from any of them. Pirst Speechley sand, This sand has a typical chocolate color, usually, and where productive is of medium hardness. Considerable Oil, as well as gas, has been obtained from it in Plum township where it is quite regular in its occurrence and is of maximum thick- ness (30 feet) and importance, Lesser quantities of gas have been obtained from it in Patton and Baldwin townships. Except in Plum township the sand is apt to be irregular. It thins rapidly towards the south and west and in many places is missing. Second Speechley sand. This sand is of chief importance along the Murrysville anticline. In North Versailles and Patton townships it is one of the chief producing sands, South or the area under dis- eussion a very prolific pool was developed in this sand near Mckees- port. In North Versailles township it attains a maximum thickness of about 50 feet. The gas is usually found near the bottom of the sand. Where it is productive the sand is dark and medium grained. Mhere dry it may be light-colored or white. The interval to the sand is fairly constant within small areas but decreases gradually towards the west, It also is less persistent in that direction. Between the Second Speechley and the Bradford group of sands is a thick series of vari-colored shales with occasional unimportant and non-persistent gand strata. Bradford sands. The sands of this group are quite irregular, their thickness and stratigranhic position changing considerably within short distances. They are most persistent and have been found eT ae et io reaadaus sae a te | | canodd os eae | BOs ‘as co oy Oy rT pobord st > © Re ONY is GEN AR how croneb phaoshe “Sonne Or Gewea ke me Hoaladg SL BO teat ee ae a, > ie ‘ - imaunrers » > 3 ye ale 1 diet ‘ for ‘ .&, Di i tis 990 wits dane nove son fh phn ica a4 gt ak: CS | ae, YO cts Sok OL A: ee ‘wefougll. aarads care on seer. RCE OG tet ORR EH ELS LAO LES 200 te 5 Re NAN sity a ny Nia me ch Ve San: BA me Poa oy # Meroe eabhee av eeLON Tiree chs qmode ¢ aly Sun on She rite eK ee Oke Bante eet bell et se awe WT stg ee Lune oe. 2 tester rnd: ule” TOCA S A aR BS ies io ot ¥ dew we ¥ a Re } et $5 } 7 mdi ER ih: aw t hdl D agead foe } “ee Ce aden A re » balan sf a, we re SAN 5 BAN % hs ts bok ~ oa, Mae Pek er tit eS aS ue ee eh ee) Ry ee * Sot eocos neat gant OR { ha e EOCaae & ¥ “ef 1990 Ts ales Le a cay alenen Me wb ol eRe ee ge f i “ } q, } te Oi ite ¥ ate | 4 hs ae} i AD tase sti a2 Foe ta) Ck anny, ys ee tae a ee he yee ype of Se THOM Dae an LOO on ire ee & rideamed elk bees 2 pee Fai [omer Bi say eae otaat OS oat wets orboxg ef af oer » bene loo-tie th ad oa Ff. ¥ d wis Shor eek he tv Popa ene ea ek dom Bk cute Ot As v a ah iy airy (a G oo an nel hg a pol gel Bee Oh, Ou “ a im ayy Pho ad pe to contain gas only in the eastern part of the area under discussion, In that district they vary in thickness from 0 to 80 feet, the average thickness being about 30 feet. Where productive they are dark-colored, open-grained and fairly soft. Toward the west they thin rapidly and disappear. The deepest producing horizon yet found in any well in this area is that encountered by the T. W. Phillips Gas & O11 Co. No. 2 well on the Thos. FE. Mallissee farm in Plum town-~ Ship. Gas is obtained in this well at a depth of 3980 feet below the Pittsburgh coal. Deeper drilling so far has failed to find gas in lower sands. This is no proof that a lower producing horizon might not be found, as only a few wells have reached a depth of 4000 feet below the coal. Conclusion, It will be noticed that in the above descriptions continual reference was made to the thinning of the sands in a westerly direction. This tendency is quite marked. Provided the original Supyliv of gas was the same in all parts of the area under considera~ tion, the greater percentage of sand towards the east would certainly provide increased opportunity for the storage of the gas and a generalization might safely be hazarded that the opportunity of tapping new gas pools is best in that direction. In conclusion the author expresses the hope that this paper will be useful to overators and drillers in the district discussed. The correlations made are based on all the data at present available and are correct within the area studied, Anyone who finds an apparent error or disagrees with the figures or statements is invited to communicate with the author. Drillers shonld not accept the table incorporated in this report as representative of every hole. It cannot be, and is meant to be used only as a guide. In drilling a well, all coals, red beds, sands and limestones should be recorded, regardless of whether they fit in with the table. ster eyes gu’ n ("he OMG GeO a et: 2G my 4 “s ¢ la i) Ce tod tee oo May ae a @ 2 es, peti Ane ad rf mi hee AE ae Ty ; ry a iy & bane yer Ch le Bt. ati MV eg aw ye e # } ‘ hi ok ae oo t ‘* ie we aD 7, y ” LY 4 o«“ Bs ¥ id eos rae Myre & : gi? } he ey t f 4 at f - we é i. fi oe 4 +4 ; . \ , ‘ Ho ee 1 ¢ y : ve Ag } Low , ; \ . * 4 ty ‘ Sard ‘ ’ ¥ ‘ ‘ 4 / * ¥ a , a A a ny a \ M : a "%y ) ‘ Y Sa ! ; % of , to mm, ; ; * , : : ory eye +E ' me i] > j 5 bw ‘ i u { ‘ Ky F ‘ PORT ‘ ‘ [i { J oh, 4 i nd - > . ry 4 PD ai hy AP ca ; 7 id > t KG “ye - 4 5 “ A Ve es0 oe ede | Wt Vs Non hier ss yi PAG his test ‘ ’ “apa a iN assy if fast aay pratt Aas te) AF vibe seta UNIVERSITY OF LLNOI-URBans . “th ion Ht sch Raa “ext ¥ at K Bee ron: +} " i vai a fa sha eu ae Ko y ph Oz ‘ea Mit a ah *, RAY ie Sas ert Lae » a & eens PERAN area “ ‘ : eo) ab ey ew pe f a ee va ft dy , | ; i a i4 Ta! ; an ay * Was 7 % : Mie « we j th ew y Py “ot i 4, 1 iy ) 4 Aik eo bah THO 5 Baa alae ah” ‘y (pie He Ber teh Y) t he to iad rom Lae it 190 1 Mit ak Booked eke Pi ik mie tee COOK AL BO8 Ag Se Oia es a 8 Th ‘eRedit NO WEE Sa | ee Ne ws Th, d pana ide eB Wy DATE y Bb WOES at pry hae a i go wo SEOUL MAD Ue whi arte bi Bi Poon orem e Gg Batod Orla abe bar AA Ne Line bw S od Heiw Baby bee tomes: aah aN Nee Heras Bere irs, wd Ge Oh Vere re Baily 1 aa