The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 184, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 24, 1961 Page: 19 of 52
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19-A
THE ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS
Abilene, Texas, Sunday Morning, December 24, 1961
Completion
Independents See Crisis Total Rises
_ TULSA — U.S. operators com.
41 ■ • • ■ aret spleted 908 new wells during the
I AnrsLEulA I awasnomte OA week ended Dec 16, a gain of
VOIITITOTO TIFOUCIT:2ovetheprevious week Both
CRDHCBSRY ■ III | W Texas and Oklahoma showed
E creases.
TULSA — The past year was adopt fresh approaches to itspetroleum will prove to be a long-
another time of crisis for the do- mathoA- of ---** >—---12-------: - - on. t
mestic petroleum industry, and
signs indicate that the new year
will bring little if any improve-
ment in the economic health of
the industry, a survey by the In-
dependent Petroleum Association
of America disclosed.
In fact, problems affecting the
domestic producers and companies
could worsen. 14 of the nation s
leading independent oilmen said in
outlook statements in December’s
issue of The Independent Petro-
leum Monthly.
Contributing to the general eco-
nomic distress of the industry, the
oilmen said, are static and-or de-
clining crude oil prices and pro-
duction. higher drilling and oper-
ating costs, a rising rate of im-
ports. world oversupply of crude,
gasoline price wars and excessive
refinery runs.
Rough Days Ahead
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OFFICERS—Directing the
fortunes of the Abilene Geological Society will be
the above officers who were installed at the society’s
annual Christmas dance. They are, top row left to
right, Ralph Bridwell, Bridwell Oil Co., secretary;
Dorman N. Farmer, Wayne Petroleum Co., president,
and George C. Fraser III, consultant, treasurer; hot-
tom row, Jimmy W. Sojourner, Sojourner Drilling
Corp., vice president, and R. B. (Bob) Vickers, Texas
Pacific Coal & Oil Co., representative to the South-
western Federation of Geological Societies. Not
shown is Arthur L. Jenke, consultant, alternate
SWFGS representative.
It was generally agreed that
the producing industry , especially,
is going to have to work long and
hard before it turns the corner to
better times.
----..----. -----Mauve w we a song-The Oil and Gas Journal says
methods of conducting business, range asset to “our industry and this brings the total number of
Gas Controls Rapped lour nation", he said. He warned, completions so far this year to
In Texas, W V Coffey, senior however, that the US gas sup. 44,510. compared with 44.962 for
vice president of Ambassador Oil ply will become woefully inade- the same period last year.
Corp . Fort Worth, said the indus-quate if government regulation and The 98 new completions result,
try’s problems are primarily short red tape continues to hamstring ed in 415 crude producers, 63 gas
range. The present over-supply of producers. wells. 5 condensate wells, and 331
dry holes, as well as 164 service
wells. The total included 173 wild
cats of which 24 were productive,
I 0 FsAmthe rest dry
E Texas operators reported 282
1 o l a new completions last week, a gain
1 ■ J A A of 38 over the previous week, ac-
* " • VY * carding to the Journal
Oklahoma completions totaled
123, up 25: Nebraska 25. up 12;
Mississippi 15, up 6: Kansas 64,
up 5: Colorado 13, up 4 and New
Mexico 41. up 3.
Louisiana had 51. down 31: Wy-
oming 22, down 9; Arkansas 5,
down 6; and California 62, down 1.
Western Canada had 7, up 4
from the previous week, bringing
the total so far this year to 2,282,
or just slightly higher than the 2.-
COMMITTEE AGREES
United Effort On
Controls Needed
1961 Disappointing; New
Crude Output Record Set
34 Area Oilmen
Renamed to Board
George P. Ellison, general man-
ager, Producers Pipe Line Co.,
Owensboro, Ky., said the outlook
for the domestic producing branch
of the oil industry in 1962 appears
little different than it has for the
past few years "Imports will, in
all probability, stay at almost the
same level, which precludes any
substantial improvement in de-
mand for domestic crude,”
220 reported for the same period
The Executive Committee of the Sam L. Robertson, immediate last year.
West Central Texas Oil 4 Gas As
sociation this past week agreed
that an all-out effort by all associ- , 1---uc, „ c may
ations of independent producers the president and the committee, ketball with the Beavers,
will be needed to obtain a satis-=====-=-.....— ---------------------------- --------
factory oil imports control pro-
gram.
After hearing reports on recent
meetings of the IPAA and TIPRO
imports policy groups, the com-
mittee expressed hope that a meet-
„ „ ing of all associations can be ar-
George H. Bruce, president of ranged soon to map a united ef.
Aladdin Petroleum Corp , Wichita, fort for controls. The first major
Kansas, said producers have been battle is expected to be over the
in the intolerable position” of sell- Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act
A total of 34 West Central Tex- - a . , . , „----,-------a-ccemna nu
as oil men this week received for- ing 0 . in the C s for several when it comes up for renewal
past-president of the association,
will act as a general advisor to
Terry Baker, Oregon State
quarterback, is also playing bas-
By MAX B. SKELTON ‘new daily average mark, howev. The year -end average for wild-
2908T0N u - Crude oil was er, result from a steady rate of cats is 9,050. This would be the
produced in theUnited States in output through most of the year, lowest figure for exploratory wells
1961 at a record pace. Production was above 7.000.000 since 1960 when 8.554 tests were
The daily average output the barrels a day in 45 of the first 50 made.
first 50 weeks of the year was weeks of 1961. The 1957 record
bout 7,178,000 barrels a day. ; ____
ine American Petroleum Insti-which output exceeded 7,000.000
Lute estimates the final year-end barrels daily.
average will approximate 7,186,- Production in 1957 ranged from
000
mal notification of their re-elec-
tion to the board of directors of
Texas Mid-Continent Oil & Gas
years below the cost of replace-in Congress.
ment. In the first full-scale meeting of
Price Hike Needed the executive panel, Association
"The industry," Bruce said, “is President James E. Russell made
Assn . J. C. Hunter, Jr., Abilene, .... - _____—____-_______
association district vice-president, liquidating its reserves every day specific assignments of responsi
announced at a price which will neither re-bility for all members
at a price which will neither re- bility for all members
------" - -----. — place nor sustain those reserves The four vice presidents were
average included only 26 weeks in last year the industry drilled Continent directors from Abilene of producing capacity. A price in- given the following assignments:
2228011201100.00/245 wess.mn 46,810 wells, including 9,635 wild-are W. D Brookover St.,------4*
cats. W. D Brookover Jr., J. E.
The record year for drilling op-Connally, Dr. Frank B. Consel-
r kaus - 0 . erations was 1956, when there were man, Edgar Davis, A. J. Frazier, incsner w un
Record in 1957 an all-time high of 7,818.400 bar-58.259 completions, including 13,-R. C. Grisham, L. F. Hooker, of industries.”
in 1387 re,s a “^ the week e n din g 34 wildcats
„ The all-time record average of March 22 to a low of 6,711,570 the Well completions were down
7,170,000 barrels daily was set in week ending Nov 1 sharply imoaonieingown
1257. The 1960 average was 7,017- Narrow Range ber edmipletfons totaled only x:
Peak daily production in 1961 roWer. 1961 ranee was much nar-EM. compared to 14.727 a year
way far below the record level set This year’s lowest rate of output been completed. Spared tohad
during the Suez crisis in early was 8 6,888,060 • barrel average 019 the same 1960 period
1967. The bright prospects for a the week of June 30 The year's Texas oilmen had good reason
high of 7.397,060 barrels a day the to curtail such operations Oil wells
induct Kandarde a week in December was the covered by the states production..., . ........ „ acuvaty ma--------vojern section or the district: Mark
inausiry Diandards ay spa ygsace for any week since regulations were permitted * pro- Rhodes, Jack B. Roberts and c. such an extent that reserves in McLaughlin of Snyder, overall re-
FT n o . , duce crude on only 101 days in h West, all of Breckenridge, the 1959-1960 period declined 267 sponsibility for the western ser.
For Natural Gas Despite the prospects for a new 1960 and 171 in 1957. Andrew M. Howsley, C. E. Ja-million barrels. ponsibURy for the western sec
I naiui ai Ud. crude output record 1961 has been--cobs and A. V. Jones Jr., Albany: “Glamor Gone’ _________________________
n » J a usappointing year in many re- ,. Vernon Davis, Coleman W H. William G Helis Ir of News ne 1
Pricing Dennected spects. Hiimhlp Flecke
FUCHS RCqUTS/CO Drilling activities declined as the u R CIGCIS
, domestic industry sought solutions
AUSTIN (AP)-The Texas Inde - to problems of oversupply and a
pendent Producers and Royalty slower rate of growth in demand
Owners Association asked the for petroleum products nr . e n
Federal Power Commission Satur-Only 43,512 wells had been drill-HOUSTON CAP)—. K. Jamie- Pilots to Receive
day to use industry standards in ed by Dec 9 The ompacati son was promoted to executive
determining price variations for year earlier total has comparable vice president of the Humble Oil Two-Way Radios
quality of natural gas. Operators placed as..1& Refining Co. Saturday by WASHINGTON (AP)—Starting
A statement was filed with the sis this Meatple ad heavier empha-directors. th« day afler Christmas, pilots
FPC. Is year on development wells Jamieson joined Humble in will have to have two-way radio
The association said that once to proxeacareas than on explora-June
an area price is established, sub- dire
tractions for substandard gas
should be balanced by appropriate blamed Me de
additions for gas which exceeds on Wildcat
Vice President
Those serving as Texas Mid-
Frank J. King, J. S. Lauderdale,
Carl/Miles, Lemon G. Neely, V.
C. Perini Jr., L. G. Rhodes,
French M. Robertson. James E.
Russell, J D. Tompkins, and L.
A. Warren.
Others from the West Central
Texas region receiving formal not-
ice were W. G. Arnot Jr., L W.
crease of at least $1 per barrel George Straughan, local affairs
is necessary to restore the oil and membership; Ralph Bridwell,
producing industry to a profitable state affairs: W N. (Bill) Tindell,
member of the economic family national affairs, and Jack Pat-
ton, industry coordination
W. M. Shoemaker, with Forest Duties of other members: J. E.
Oil Corp. Bradford, Pa. said Connally, political affairs: Bailey
"More and more independents, E. Lewis, finance. Robert Grish-
particularly the smaller produ-am, legal counsel and legislation;
cers, are finding it difficult to Phil Kendrick Jr. public and in-
stay in business.” dustry relations: Bruce Puckett,
Edward A. Smith, president of imports policy: J. D Tompkins.
Service Drilling Co. Tulsa, Okla., liaison between associations: W.
said price erosion, rising costs and G. (Bill) Arnot of Breckenridge,
low production allowables had overall responsibility for the east-
SEASON'S
GREETINGS
from
i. C. HUGHES
GULF OIL
CONSIGNEE
Brooks Jr., Lester Clark, P. .______________............. .es tor .e east-
Pitzer, P W. Jitzer Jr., W J. knifed activity in Oklahoma to ern section of the district; Mark
and
GOOD GULF DEALERS
Vernon Davis. Coleman: W. H.
stated quality standards.
"Gathering is a non-quality fac-
tor which adds value to the gas
by moving it part way to its mar-
ket," the statement said. “It is
not a marketability improvement
resulting from change in the qual
ity of the gas itself. Hence the
transportation involved should not
be a penalty to the producer but
rather a cost factor to be added
to the wellhead value of the gas
upon subsequent sales.”
3 Humble Men
To Retire Jan. 1
HOUSTON (AP)-Three oilmen
who have a total of more than
108 years with Humble Oil & Re-
fining Co. retire Jan. 1.
They are A. B Penny, Choyce
Allison, and J. M Blansett.
Penny, long an executive in
Humbles publicity and advertis-
ing offices, started with the com-
pany in 1923 as a cashier.
Allison, assistant to the man-
ager in the southwest region mar-
keting department, joined Humble
early in 1925
Blansett, for many years man-
ager of the Humble touring serv-
ice, began with Humble in mid
1928
Humble was only six years old
when Penny joined it. He became
•one supervisor at Big Spring, and
later agent at consolidated agen-
ties of Sweetwater, Colorado City,
Snyder, Abilene and Anson, and
chief clerk for Humble’s district
headquarters in Abilene.
Blansett, a native of Cameron,
was a Humble jobber in Amarillo
for 30 months before joining the
company in McCamey,
TB Official Die
: NORTON, Kan. (AP) _ Dr
C. F. Taylor, 70, superintendent
since 1930 of the Norton State
Tuberculosis Sanatorium and a
pioneer in the development of
chest surgery for the treatment
of tuberculosis, died Friday of
cancer.
William G. Helis, Jr., of New Or-,
Hoffman. Eastland: Preston Man- leans, chairman of the Louisiana gay
State Mineral Board, and one of .
the nation’s top independents, said D
of 1961: “This year has seen a lot B
of glamor knocked out of our busi-I VCL UIOICIAA
: YES.. CHRISTMAS
t LIVES FOREVER...
gum. Rising Star. Mrs Pat J.
O'Donnell, Ranger; and C. T.
McLaughlin, Snyder.
1 as a vice president and a equipment when they fly into or
director. He had been president out of airports that have control
an , . . of the International Petroleum towers operated by the federal
All of the 1961 decline can be Co. Ltd. of Coral Gables, Fla. government
International and Humble are Of the 6,900 airports in the Unit-
ness. Perhaps in no other year
were we so price conscious, so
aware of overhead and rising
costs of operations in general.”
In Denver, W. C. Norman, pres-
ident of Colorado Oil and Gas
Corp., said the domestic oil indus-
Fewer Wildcats
- operations. -CINALRUua anu norm
a Through Dec. 9, the industry affiliates of the Standard
drilled 45,895 wells. (New Jersey).
try is falling back in the energy
source race. The growth rate for
oil in the next decade is expected.1
for the first time, to lag behind!
Oil Co. ed States, 475 have federally op- the rate of any rival fuel except
erated towers coal. Industry is challenged to
erated towers
after all
is said and
done..
We would like to pause and express a deep ap-
preciation to all Batrow Furniture customers and
wish each of you the very best for the coming
year.
Cecil Barrow
290
CEDAR
It’s the little things at Christmas time that
? live forever ... old Santa's visit on Christ-
I ma« Eve . . . youthful laughter . . . the
aroma of evergreens ... the Christmas
story of HIM. . . . Joyful carols and gay
packages and messages of good will for
all. May the season hold many happy
times and memories for the coming year.
SEARS
ROEBUCK AND C
SEARS
Phone
OR 4-2811
155 Sayles Blvd,
at Hiway 80
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The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 184, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 24, 1961, newspaper, December 24, 1961; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1672170/m1/19/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Public Library.