El Campo Leader-News (El Campo, Tex.), Vol. 99B, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 1984 Page: 2 of 46
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Page 2*A El Campo Leader-News, El Campo, TX, Wed., May 23,1984
\
Oilfield Strike May Energize Local Economy
L-N Photo by Owen II. Fllington Jr.
Floor hands on a Petro-Tex rig drilling near Friendly Corners make a
connection Monday. The rig is under contract to Ladd Petroleum Co.
By OWEN H. ELLINGTON JR.
An exciting new oilfield
discovery in Jackson County has
begun to infuse new life back into
an industry that appeared last
year at this time to have dug its
own grave.
The 8,300-foot discovery well
drilled in March by Cities Service
Company got people talking, now
it seems everyone is trying to get
a piece of the action.
Oil companies, service com-
panies, truckers, landmen, lan-
downers. bankers and ultimately
non-oil related businesses are
expected to benefit as drilling
activities pick up locally.
The heart of all the excitement
lies in a March announcement by
Cities Service Company, a sub-
sidiary of Occidental Petroleum
Co., that it had discovered a
major new field near the El Toro
along the Jackson-Victoria
County line
Another Spindletop, it's not, but
one company official described it
as the best strike his company had
seen in South Texas in 20 years.
Even though the well is over 35
miles from El Campo, the
discovery is expected to have a
major impact on the local oil field
service companies.
The well, named the No 1 K R
Miller, tested out 7.516 million
cubic feet ot gas per day on a 16/64
inch choke, with 223 barrels of
high quality gas condensate
Electric logs of the hole
revealed a 98-foot pay zone in the
down-dip Yegua Formation, a
trend oilmen speculate runs all
the way through Wharton County
into Fort Bend County.
The well was tested at two
different intervals, from 7,1116 feet
to 7,840 feet and from 7,860 to7,861
feet.
According to a recent article in
The Victoria Advocate the well
took over three months to drill
and cost over $2 million to com-
plete and royalties could amount
to as much a $22,500 per day.
Janelle McCammon, director of
communications and community
affairs with Cities Service, said
company officials are extremely
pleased with the strike Work on
four additional wells has already
begun, while a pipeline to the field
is in the process of being com-
pleted.
McCammon said the field was
recently named Toro Grande
Locally, business has already
increased for some service
companies, while others say the
discovery has given them new
hope for a needed turn around.
Oscar Griffin, president of
Griffin Well Service, said recent
activity has given his workover
rig business a much-needed shot
in the arm.
“We’ve had the best year since
1981," Griffin said, referring to a
record-setting year for the oil
business brought on by higher oil
prices But although business has
increased, the oil companies still
have a long way to go before
profits return to 1981 levels. “The
prices (services charge oil com-
panies for their work) have not
come back, but the work has,”
Griffin said.
Gary Knape, co-owner of K-C
Lease Service Company in
i/ouise, said business for his new
company that specializes in
building locations for oil rigs has
never been better Knape said he
hopes the recent pickup in
business is a prelude to a general
recovery in the oil business
Meanwhile, the Wharton County
Courthouse has been buzzing with
speculators and landmen in
search of property that has yet to
be leased
Ladd Petroleum Co., Owl
Petroleum Co. and Black Jack
Resources appear to be leading
the pack, while numerous other
independents are picking up what
they’ve missed
“There’s very little land around
that hasn’t beer, leased already,”
W.G. Bohning, an El Campo
petroleum engineer with
Petroleum Independent
Exploration Co in Houston
Bohning said the activity should
help El Campo s service-company
orientated economy as soon as
drilling activity increases.
“Somebody has to complete these
wells. I hope it will help these
guys out. They really need it.”
Bohning speculated part of the
reason why the discovery was not
made earlier lies with the price of
oil: "You have to remember that
up until about 10 years ago you
couldn’t get more than about $3
for a barrel of oil. Now its $29 a
barrel.”
At the previous low price,
drillers could not justify the ex-
pense of drilling through the
Vicksburg (shale) Formation that
requires that companies set a
liner (protective pipe) before
drilling into it. Now, with the
higher price of oil, drillers are
able to justify the cost of setting
the liner and and the resulting
higher mud costs associated with
deeper drilling
Another factor was the
availability of production from
the Frio sands, which are
shallower, and cheaper to
produce from
Ken Wright, chief appraiser
with the Wharton County Central
Appraisal District, said it’s too
early to tell if the new discoveries
will provide any relief to county
taxpayers Mineral valuations
have not been completed for 1984,
and oil wells not producing by
Jan 1 will are not taxed until the
following year.
Large Turnout Results In Jackson Majority
By KAY KENNEDY RICE
Wharton County Democrats and
Republicans held their respective
county conventions Saturday
moving the political machine one
step closer to choosing a
presidential nominee.
The Democrats, with more than
230 delegates present, filled the
district courtroom at the county
courthouse A slight shift in voting
patterns from the precinct con-
ventions May 5 left Jackson with
4o percent of the vote, compared
to 35 percent for Mondale and 25
percent for Hart
Mondale hud been the winner
following the precinct con-
ventions although he commanded
only a slight lead
Democratic officials in the
county attributed the Jackson win
to the extraordinary turnout by
black voters The convention was
very well attended, according to
Paul Soechting of El Campo, and
the proceeding was very smooth
and orderly. Soechting and others
were pleased with the turnout,
which was greater than the 196
delegates who attended the
Victoria County convention
Wharton County has been
allotted 20 delegates, based on the
number of people who voted for
Gov. Mark White in the 1982
The county’s Democrats
reaffirmed a resolution, adopted
by Precinct 6 (Methodist Church
m El I ampo oa May 5, to
eliminate the caucus system for
presidential nominees by listing
the nominees on the ballot with
other primary contenders This is
the process currently used by the
Republican Party
The Democrats, however, want
the delegates selected at the
county convention
The mood of Wharton County
Democrats was reflected across
the state as the caucus system
drew fire from other conventions,
which almost unanimously
agreed to a binding primary to
choose delegates
Area Democrats also passed a
resolution banning the shipping of
toxic, hazardous or atomic waste
generated in one state to another
state
Two memorial resolutions,
honoring Eugene Henry of Egypt
and Edna Marlin of Spanish
Camp, were also passed Satur-
day
The Republicans, although
fewer in number in this county,
adopted some significant plat-
form resolutions, many of which
had also been adopted at the
precinct conventions in May
These resolutions included a
ban on federally-supported
abortions and support for a
constitutional amendment
protecting human life at every
stage of development. This
amendment would not prevent a
woman from terminating the
pregnancy if it posed a life-
threatening situation.
Another resolution opposed a
constitutional convention to
consider a balanced budget
amendment, because the
Congress is already bound by law
to do so.
A resolution was also adopted
calling for election of federal
judges, instead of life ap-
pointments.
The Equal Rights Amendment
also drew fire and was opposed by
a resolution calling for Congress
to reject all such legislation on the
grounds that laws have already
been inacted which guarantee
equality in the areas of education,
employment, credit and other
areas to prevent sex
discrimination.
The 18 Republicans at Satur-
day’s convention, held in the
Physical Therapy Associates
board room in Wharton, elected 73
delegates and 13 alternates to the
state convention
Both the Republican and
Democratic state conventions will
be held June 15-16
Short Stories —
— Bees Win Coveted State Award
/
Vhsentee voting started today
at the countv courthouse and at
the county annex here. Voting will
last only one week. West Wharton
County voters will cast runoff
election ballots for county judge,
county treasurer, district at-
torney and I’.S. senator on the
Democratic ticket, while
Republicans will select a
congressional nominee. If there is
any possibility vou will be out of
town on June 2. please try to vote
absentee during the coining week
While many will he celebrating
a da> off from work Monday with
picnic s and fa mlly gatherings, the
more serious side of Memorial
Day vs ill he observed hv members
of the Vmerican I eg ion. the
\ eterans of Foreign Mars and the
Disabled Vmerican V eterans and
their auxiliaries. Members of
these organizations will meet at
the Vmerican Legion Hall at 7
a m and from there split into
groups to place flags on the
graves of nearly non deceased
y eterans hi VV est W harton t mintv
VII veterans are encouraged to
participate
Mterwards at 11 am. the
public is invited to a Wcmoiial
Dav Service at Dak lawn
Memorial I'.uk Colors will he
posted and a service given undei
lh<‘ direction ol the Rev I In d
Nixon and the Rev I Irov
I la v erlah
I he I eadei News will he ope n
lot business as usual on Memorial
Dav so all deadlines will leman
uni hanged People who plan to In
out of town are em oui aged In usr
tin I Vs handv mall slut next to
the Root ilwn hrloie leaving
low H,
• $
The Blessing Volunteer Fire
Department is sponsoring a street
dance and beer garden Saturday
from 9 p m. until I a m. in
downtown Blessing. Free beer
will be provided from H-9 p m.,
and music will be furnished by
Bobby Lee and the Nighlriders
Donations of $1 per person will he
charged.
Vnd the Louise Future Farmers
of Vmerica will be having a car
wash at the Wal-Mart parking lot
Saturday from 9 a m until noon
Charge is $5 for any vehicle.
Proceeds w ill help offset expenses
for travel to the National Santa
Gertrudis Show in San Marcos
June III.
The El ( ampo Javcees will
install new officers Wednesday,
'lav to at the Community ( enter,
starting at 6 in p.m For reser-
vations call !»1:1-41240 or .VU-292K
V tractor driving certification
course for voung people 13-1*
years old will he held at the
vocational agriculture classroom
at II < ampo High N< hisd June in
at s .« m for more information
call s t Hardin or D D Hill at
’>11-7.in oi *131 *.’7 evenings
V lund has been established at
I ommeri lal state Bank to help
with the medical expenses nt
I lames Reves It daughter ol
live and Rosa Itrves ol Brazoria
She will undergo kldnev Iran
splnnl siirgetv Mrs Reves is the
lor mei Rosa Soliz ol I I ( ampo
lor more Informal ion tall ( ai
men f ntdnca at *11 J2VI or
losephine Soliz at Vi L7J*I
Donation runs are at Itiatdv s
Domtl shop 4 otnmrtilal si,«ir
• I ink lt« n I i a ok Ito* and t mlr v
(Continued from Page I)
Johnnie Trochta and Ben Ger
berman
After receiving the award,
current BEE president Ben
Gerberman said, “The citizens of
El Campo can la* very proud of
their involvement in the
A sale of tickets for a
chance to win a Cabturge
Patch Dull will be held at
M.il Mart Friday Saturday
and Monday from 9am un
til S p m to help pay for a
local girl * modeling com
petition
Meredith Moreno competed
in t he Modeling \s si nut ion i*f
America Internal mnal
(Mgeunl in New York Citv
A
beautification and cleanup of
their city.
“The present officers and board
of directors of the BEEs are
committed to continuing the effort
to make El Campo the best
looking community in Texas,” he
added
A celebration of the
Her family took out a loon to
(mv for the trip and is now
asking for help in (Mying it
luick
Moreno is Hu* daughter ol
Mr and Mrs Jesse H Valdez
ol F.l ( ampo The drawing
for the doll will tie held al *•
pm Monday al Mai Marl
Thcuve who wish In (MjrctMse
a ticket tmt cannot come bv
M il Mart mav call *f(iw.
A
beautification project and formal
dedication of the memorial
planters to the citizens of El
Campo is being planned by the
Beautify El Campo Extension for
June 14, which is also fittingly,
Flag Day
Varied activities are being
organized in conjunction with the
formal dedication ceremony for
the memorial planters that will
take place in Evans Park
Other cities winning state
awards are Lubbock, Commerce.
Eagle Lake. Tom Bean. Pearland,
Barclay. Fairfield. Atlanta and
Denison
— Rain Aids Farmers
last winter's prolonged freeze Hopefully with the ram. ran-
chers w ill be able to hold on to their cattle. Cosper said
Wharton County was much luckier than other dry Texas
counties, some of w hich received barely a trace of precipitation
this week
According to Barbara Robinson, spokeswoman for the Texas
Department of Agriculture, the department is still pushing the
Reagan administration to assist hard pressed Texas farmers
and ranchers
The spring rains obviously have not come a fact that’s
clearly evident to every farmer, rancher and backyard
gardener in the state." said Texas Agriculture Commissioner
Jim Hightower in a recent news release
In those areas of West Texas that have not received ade-
quate rainfall in four consecutive years now, foundation herds
of cattle, sheep and goats are now being sold off and ranchers
are calling it quits,” he said
Hightower said he is calling on txith President Reagan and
! S Agriculture Secretary John Blin k to gear up now to ad
minister the various federal disaster assistance programs
authorized by Congress
V May release by Hightower s office shows that only 20Texas
counties have received their average rainfall this spring and
(l it the i emaining 2.14 < "unties are suffering to various degrees
from insufficient rainfall \ severe drought is already under
wav in at least M counties Hightower said
VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURE
Educator tN-j E tpprp
— Louise Graduates 32
(Continued from Page I)
Larry Molub. president ot the
Ixnnse ISD School Board High
school principal Gene Stogner will
give an address, followed by the
presentation of scholarships and
awards by George Lehnert.
guidance counselor
The valedictory address will
then be given by Carol Yeselka
The senior class will join in
singing the LHS alma mater and
— Correction —
In a photograph on page 3 of
Saturday s t rader News one of
the contestants from the Nor
thside Math team was not iden
Drawing h<*r (.abbage Doll Srt
"Auld Uinge Syne,” followed by a
benediction by honor graduate
Laurie Howell and a recessional.
“Through the Years.”
The Hornet Seniors of 1984 have
chosen the motto Where we now
follow, some day we may lead "
Their class flower is the orchid
and class colors are yellow and
w hite Sponsors of the senior class
are Linda Richter, Sherry Stogner
and Ruth Winkler
lifted Marc (ilson. an alternate to
the state contest was pictured on
the front row far left We regret
the error
t
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Barbee, Chris. El Campo Leader-News (El Campo, Tex.), Vol. 99B, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 23, 1984, newspaper, May 23, 1984; El Campo, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1018318/m1/2/: accessed June 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Wharton County Library.