`The P. D. Company then took over the well, not being satisfied that the work was properly done by Guthrie, and after spending a lot of money and time, also discontinued the work, which was a loss, and no benefit was derived from it, either in the way of stopping the water or learning its source.
`It is quite apparent to my mind that the water comes from some other well, which one I am not prepared to say, but I think it should be looked for either in Well No. 14 R. B. or in No. 6 P. D., as those two wells were pumping water for a long time before any of the others showed any signs. However, it is quite clear that the water travels to Alma Jr. No. 2 in a general body, from which point it is distributed to all wells located south of it, and now even north of that point, as is shown by its entering into Alma Jr. No. 12.
`From the fact that all early water was shut off at the 320 foot level while drilling the major portion of these early wells, and oil sand was entered into at that point, most of the casing below that point is per forated, whether shown on the logs or not.
`Alma Jr. No. 7 was drilled into a heavy fluid and we were never able to pump it with any success, whether this was chilled by the water or not I was never sure. I think, however, that it would always have been a very heavy oil, as the sand taken out would indicate a heavy tar formation. This well was abandoned on this account; and while I do not remember the amount of casing that was withdrawn, it was a very small amount, and did not touch any water string." "The conclusions drawn herein have been reached after a careful study of the foregoing history and the accompanying cross-sections. Three cross-sections have been drawn, as follows: No. 1. East and West through the North line of wells on the Petroleum Development Company property.
No. 2. East and West through the South line of wells of the Alma Jr. and Red Bank properties. (Fig. 34.) No. 3. North and South through the wells along the West line of the Red Bank property, extending South into the Petroleum Development property.
"That these cross-sections do not more decisively portray the geologi cal structure, is due almost entirely to poor records. By making use of
information previously published by the State Mining Bureau on the Kern River Field, it has been possible to make correlations that are as nearly accurate as is necessary for the purpose of this investigation.
"A study of the cross-sections shows the existence of two practically continuous clay strata about 150 ft. apart. Had either of these been used as a landing place for water strings by all the wells in the district, top water troubles would never have been known. The upper one is marked A on the prints; and the lower one B. The upper one is below the lowest top water logged in any of the wells, and many of the wells have their water strings landed in it.
"In cross-section No. 2 it will be noticed that Alma Jr. Nos. 1, 3 and 4 are landed in this clay stratum, while Alma Jr. No. 2 and Red Bank Nos. 15 and 16 are a trifle below it, but in all probability not enough deeper to cause the flooding of the producing sands of the former group. it will also be noticed that the point of shut-off in Red Bank No. 14 is at least 50 ft. below this clay, and below the first producing oil sand of all the other wells. This fact certainly lends color to the above expressed belief of Mr. W. W. Stephenson that Red Bank No. 14 is flooding the producing sands of the other wells.
"In cross-section No. 3, 14 wells are shown, of which 'three have their water strings landed in the upper clay stratum. They are the Petro leum Development wells Nos. 30, 31 and 32. Red Bank Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 13 are shut off in the lower clay B; Red Bank No. 14 and Petro leum Development Nos. 14 and 28, in the same relative position, about half way between A and B; Red Bank Nos. 7 and 4 respectively 50 and 200 ft. below B; Red Bank Nos. 6 and 8, 50 ft. above A.
"In cross-section No. 1 the Petroleum Development Company wells Nos. 10, 12 and 13 are shown to be shut off between A and B. No casing records of the other six wells have been furnished. We have Mr. Stephenson's statement to the effect that all but No. 3 were good pro ducers until 1904, and the presumption is that there is some uniformity to their points of shut-off.