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Home My WebLink About100-002CAUTION: This email originated from outside the State of Alaska mail system. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. You don't often get email from gselisker@chevron.com. Learn why this is important From:Boman, Wade C (OGC)To:AOGCC Records (CED sponsored)Subject:FW: Follow Up InformationDate:Thursday, April 27, 2023 8:56:31 AMPlease file the below email in the Laserfiche well file for well Alaska Gulf 1 (PTD 100-002). Thank you. -Wade Wade BomanPetroleum EngineerAlaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission333 W 7th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501wade.boman@alaska.govoffice: 907-793-1238cell: 907-687-4468 From: Selisker, Gary <GSelisker@chevron.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2023 9:46 AMTo: Boman, Wade C (OGC) <wade.boman@alaska.gov>Subject: Follow Up Information Wade, I have had a records management specialist do a search of all Chevron’s Legacy company archival records and the only thing that was located was a single electric log from Alaska Gulf #1 that was within some Unocal Alaska exploration archives. The Schlumberger log has Alaska Gulf as the Operator in the log header. Nothing was found in the Standard Oil of California search. I will need to go through our approval process for releasing Log data externally. Will let you know and hopefully can get this data to you soon. I am sorry I could not be of more help on this specific inquiry. I think this specific Operator based upon some of the public archive history during this time was likely a spinoff of the same company Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company and was flagged by the USGS as having some limited resources and a questionable stock funding scheme. ( See letter and the comments in the America Oil & Gas Society link) Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company offered 300,000 shares of stock at $1 per share, advertising in newspapers: The money realized from the sale of this stock is being used to purchase equipment and finance operations for oil exploration in the Eureka-Nelchina location. The location of the first exploratory drill hole has been chosen by our consulting geologist after a geological survey of the area. Both “Alaska Gulf” & “Alaska Oil and Gas Development” had similar stock funding schemes ran perhaps from the same folks that ran these Walker Neer Cable tool rigs during this period and in similar areas of the State. A book references some of the principles that ran these companies. I also provided a link to the article that similar highlights these companies and the Crude Dreams: A Personal History of Oil & Politics in Alaska. Crude Dreams: A Personal History of Oil & Politics in Alaska: Roderick, Jack, Graydon, Don: 9780945397601: Amazon.com: Books Best of luck with the work you are doing to address the re-entry of this well. Gary Gary R. Selisker Senior Advisor Reservoir Engineer/PE Chevron Joint Ventures- Alaska, East TX, OK ND 1400 Smith St. (Rm 45104) Houston, TX 77002 USA Tel: +1-713-372-1807 Mob: +1-832-499-2368 GSelisker@chevron.com E-Colors- Green/Red Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company - American Oil & Gas Historical Society (aoghs.org) Years before Alaska became a state, petroleum exploration companies drilled expensive dry holes. The Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company was among them. The Alaska territory’s first commercial oil well arrived in 1957, two years before statehood. Before switching to a rotary rig in 1954, the Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company drilled its Eureka No. 1 using this Walker-Neer Manufacturing Company cable-tool “spudder.” Photo courtesy the Anchorage Museum. The discovery well, drilled by the Richfield Oil Company – today known as ARCO – successfully drilled at Swanson River on the Kenai Peninsula. The first well, which produced 900 barrels of oil a day from 11,215 feet, revealed an oilfield. Beginning in the 1950s, many Alaskans had tried their hand at wildcatting, notes one historian. Among those searching for petroleum riches, Alaska Oil & Gas Development accepted the risks and financial challenges of exploring unproven territory. William A. O’Neill and a former oilfield roughneck incorporated the company on October 31, 1952. “Bill O’Neill, a local mining engineer and University of Alaska regent, and partner C.F. ‘Tiny’ Shield, a giant of a man, believed they could find oil in the Copper River Basin,” explains Jack Roderick in his 1997 book, Crude Dreams: A Personal History of Oil & Politics in Alaska. “Before coming to Alaska in the early 1920s, Shield had been a cable-rig ‘tool pusher’ in Montana, Texas and California,” he adds. Within a year, Alaska Oil & Gas Development began drilling near “mud volcanoes” – sulfuric residues bubbling up from the valley floor – and near mud cliffs embedded with giant marine fossils, Roderick reports. The Eureka No. 1 well with its Walker-Neer cable-tool rig at its remote site just off Glenn Highway about 125 miles northeast of Anchorage. Photo courtesy the Anchorage Museum. Far from any oil or natural gas producing well in North America, the well site – known as a “rank wildcat” – was at Eureka Roadhouse, about 125 miles northeast of Anchorage, just 200 feet off the Glenn Highway (part of Alaska Route 1). Risky Business Alaska Oil & Gas Development Company offered 300,000 shares of stock at $1 per share, advertising in newspapers: The money realized from the sale of this stock is being used to purchase equipment and finance operations for oil exploration in the Eureka-Nelchina location. The location of the first exploratory drill hole has been chosen by our consulting geologist after a geological survey of the area. SITE 2: MILEPOST 17.6KNIK-GOOSE BAY RDKNIK-GOOSE BAY RDLAKETRAILEDGE PAVEMENTTOP SLOPEENDING:SCALE:DRAWN BY:DATE:DATE OF SURVEY:SURVEYOR:BEGINNING:STATE OF ALASKAOIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSIONANCHORAGE, ALASKACHECKED BY:SHEET:OFDNR, DMLW, SURVEY SECTION550 W. 7TH AVE, SUITE 650ANCHORAGE, AK 99501-357622KB1"=40'05/19/2022JD5/6/20225/6/2022VICINITY MAPScale: 1" = 4 MilesSource:Alaska Mapper - National Map TopoORPHAN WELL SURVEYS POINT MACKENZIE, AKSite 1: 1.2 miles down trailwest of W. Holstein Ave.Site 2: MP 17.6 Knik-Goose Bay RdNOTES1. THE INFORMATION SHOWN HEREON IS BASED ON FIELD LOCATES PERFORMED BY THE ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, DIVISION OF MINING, LAND AND WATER ONMAY 6, 2022. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY IS TO ACQUIRE LOCATION AND CONDITION INFORMATION OF ORPHAN WELLS FOR AOGCC, FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE PLUGGING,REMEDIATION AND RESTORATION WORK.2. THE COORDINATE SYSTEM FOR THIS PROJECT IS ALASKA STATE PLANE ZONE 4, NAD83(2011) EPOCH (2010.0000) IN US SURVEY FEET. THE BASIS OF COORDINATES FOR SHEET 1 ISPOINT NO. 110 "CP MID LAKE" BASED ON AN OPUS SOLUTION PERFORMED ON MAY 17, 2022. POINT NO. 110 - SET 12" SPIKE NORTH OF TRAIL TO MIDDLE LAKE WELL. LATITUDE: N61° 22' 39.32864" LONGITUDE: W 150° 08' 27.62257" THE BASIS OF COORDINATES FOR SHEET 2 IS POINT NO. 120 "CP AK GULF" BASED ON AN OPUS SOLUTION PERFORMED ON MAY17, 2022. POINT NO. 120 - FOUND 2.5" AL. CAP UNDER POWERLINE NORTH OF K.G.B. RD. LATITUDE: N 61° 25' 20.97174" LONGITUDE: W 149° 48' 45.45126"3. THE VERTICAL DATUM FOR THIS SURVEY IS NAVD88 (DERIVED FROM GEOID 12B). THE BASIS OF VERTICAL CONTROL FOR SHEET 1 IS POINT NO. 110 "CP MID LAKE", HAVING A GEOIDHEIGHT OF 105.20', BASED ON AN OPUS SOLUTION PERFORMED ON MAY 17, 2022. THE BASIS OF VERTICAL CONTROL FOR SHEET 2 IS "CP AK GULF", HAVING A GEOID HEIGHT OF120.31', BASED ON AN OPUS SOLUTION PERFORMED ON MAY 17, 2022.4. FIELD WORK AND DRAFTING WAS PERFORMED BY RANDY GUINTU AND JOSEPH DONOHUE. DRAWING WAS REVIEWED BY KEVIN BOW, PLS.LEGENDFOUND WELLGNSS OBSERVATION TAKENEDGE PAVEMENTEDGE TRAILTOP/TOE OF SLOPEEDGE OF PERCEIVED SUMPEDGE LAKEWGRAPHIC SCALE20 METERS8080 FEET200401 METER = 3.280833 U.S. SURVEY FEET1 U.S. ACRE = 0.4047 HECTARE lc-apfm 10j an95 PLUGGING & LOCATION CLEARANCE REPORT State of Alaska ALASKA OIL & GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION PTD No. p0 - 00 2 Lease Memorandum To File: API No. D D 9 - L 0 G (n5 - p o Well Name ,9loa,�a_. 6; LX (-F 11* ( Operator Aln, i k. 6;uLF ©-1 L7Q it Location SQ 7"/S1Q, R 3 (AJ . s3 M Abnd Date Spud: 6L2-6 TD: Completed 57/0 / t Note casing size, wt, depth, cmt vol, & procedure. Sfc Csg: Long Csg: Liner: Perf intervals - tops: Review the well file, and comment on plugging, well head status, and location clearance - provide loc. clear. code. Plugs: Well head cut off: Marker post or plate: Location Clearance: Conclusions: ,Lo c-44er li"104n ld1 -'c /P . Code Signed �..Q„1., 9 -00_ Date9s— Ll STATE OF ALASKA OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMITTEE WELL RECORD API NUMBER 4pq..1�OC�5—nn DATE OF RECORD 11/28/'71 CARD CONFID OPERATOR FIELD AND POOL UNIT NO. LEASE NUMBER CODE NAME CODE NAME MUD �y{. I OTHER }� }y Y�vwj} yy`q�♦�wr R M FEET 21 FEET DIP SEC T r CARD PERMIT NO. PERMIT ISSUED RQMTS ON/OFF SHORE UNIT NO. LEASE NUMBER WELL NAME AND NUMBER M D Y SAMPI MUD I SURV I OTHER T R M FEET 777777 FEET DIP SEC T r M 22 24 -77777777777- A77 7- 777 25 CARD INITIAL WELL LAT URFACE ATION LONG SURFACE LOCATION BOTTOM HOLE LOCATION ADDITIONAL FLD & POOL FOR MULT. COMP. CLASS I STATUS DEG MIN SEC DEG MIN SEC FEET DIP FEET DIR SEC T R M FEET DIR FEET DIP SEC T R M 24 -77777777777- A77 7- 777 25 23 CARD FINAL WELL DATE SPUDDED DATE COMP, ETC ADDITIONAL FLD & POOL FOR MULT. COMP. GEOLOGICAL AREA CLASS STATUS M D Y M I D I CODE NAME FEET YR FEET YR FEET CODE FEET gY FEET xp OA 24 25 CARD CURRENT WELL STATUS DATE DEPTHS FOOTAGE DRILLED ELEVATIONS TYPES OF LOGS AVAILABLE CLASS I STATUS M D Y MID TYD YR FEET YR FEET YR FEET CODE FEET CODE FEET xp OA 25 CARD SAMPLE SET NO, SAMPLES INTERVAL CORE CHIPS TYPES OF LOGS AVAILABLE FROM TO 26 O►• LJ r X - r' f OwAUW .., SCANNED JUL 1 3 2007 water leaking from the test well driUed by the Al"Im Oulf made arrangements to have #00OL4 of the W aud water tak*n for amlysis. If ;a I voildinterestedcopies of the resultsr tls-s. tbay GC: Flint File (Tech) Reading sincerely! s too -009 • • �, 1 AVC*---tI ears R O%L . AL. I s'i s ° smfwvw � am Apr frill iAs 1A the Thmatim I Dasr, hiss �isttr alt :.. . - a tiffstbmrsfww yrs 4 s . owtai&14 3 V1, kin"st . (� reg,` UAW tt , ALASKA GTILF OIL & GAS CO. (GOOSE BAY) • DI'"C-' 9A".-PTFc+ AT- Sqy iTTiT n OTL q, C(:,.,' CO. (GOOo z ; DA7) Date Ree d Perth 9 -IU -55-900 920- 30 950- 6o 980- 90 1010- 20 1040- 50 1070- 8o 1120- 30 1150- 60 1180- 90 1210- 20 1240- 50 1270- 80 1300-1310 1330- 40 1360- 80 1390- 1400 1410- 20 1440- 50 1460- 70 1490- 1500 lc�lo- 20 1540- 50 1570- 80 1600- 10 1630- 40 1660- 70 1680-1690 1720- 30 1760- 70 1790-1800 1810- 20 1840- 50 1870- 80 1900- 10 1930- 4o 1960- 70 1990-2000 2010- 20 2o4o- 6o 2070- 80 2130- 40 2140- 50 2180- 90 2220- 30 2240- 50 22 6o-70 2290-2300 2320-30 2350- 60 2360- 90 Lithology, • Page 1 ,Ticrofossils DITCu SAI"TPLES ALASKA GULF OIL & GAS CO. (GOOSE BAY) Date Recd Depth 9-14-55 2420-30 2450- 60 2160- 70 2510-2520 2540- 50 2570- 80 2610- 20 261�o- 50 2670- 80 2700-2710 2730- 40 2760- 70 2790-2800 2820- 30 2850- 6o 2880- 90 2910- 20 2940- 50 2970- 80 3000- 10 3030- 40 3060- 70 3090-3100 3140- 50 3160- 70 31.80- 90 3210- 20 3240- 50 3270- 8o 3300-3310 3330-3340 3360- 70 3390-3400 3420- 30 3450- 60 348o- 90 3510- 20 3540- 50 3570- 80 3600- to 3630- 40 3660- 70 3690-3700 3710- 20 3740- 50 3770- 80 3800-3810 Lithology 0 Page 2 Ificrofossils • ALASKA. GULF OIL & GAS CO. Date Recld Depth 9-14-55 1000-1003 1435- 45 2066— 80 2066— 81 2080- 85 2081- 85 2817- 22 2817-32 (2 3409-22 (3) 3849- 55 DITCH SA"TLES (G, -,'OSP, PAY) Page 3 b' WILL Loa P R'y ALASK -rTLW OIL`A AA's WELL No. SP H ;SSC' 1 ON 4, TL SPJ, ?3W, S'xodded in oza Juns 26, 1955 0-,401 40-72 72-157 157-256 256-261 261-Z2 X82-2 9 2?9-374 374-4Q 46i-596 55196-9.49 949-997 `97,i0t)0 1000-1003 1003..1014 1014-1,23 1023-1029 1029-1060 1060-1115 1113-1167 1167-124,; -1249-1)35 1335-1 o1 1/1-31-1/167 1467-1549 1549-162.5 1625-.166{ 166�-1700 170`•''-1778 1778-1 x'36 1836-IE96 1896-2017 2017 -lox 6 2066 -?481 2081-2215 2115-2139 2139-2170 2170-22!µn 2253 53-2344 2344-241.5 2415-2473 2473-25:.3 2U3 -25t,6 2243-x'7'33 2733-2M 2772-x$37 2817-a832 28 28"-2" �rrbtsL�o�, �iI'frtiie rf...vo1 5�nd gni �rrfvel ,ravel and boulders Imval alld i'�OullArs ;rave J do I sand sravel and sand 'Ir -,Vel and boulders Silt, streaks of shale Gravels 116rid a td clay *nd, 3rave? . stze'L !- s Sale and sand Shal a -A hard sn n .i K.ear3 sa-ldy ahale Corin.; -.-3 "t recovery_ zil t atone, Puri Sand- shale Coal Sticky shL1a sha l a rar,.i clay Hari st:al e, send tiara sarit st:ttle Say I roc3-, clay$ 8hs.2 , BtmL�s Herd sand-_,- shah, clary Coal, oilt atone, shale, sand lend, silt 8tor..91 sY,a1.�, nn&; .' .:1 a, Silt s *.ens Cl -'al , Oba-'a s gilt st on"' soa1a 3au2, shn I ii, cOa eoa? Sen?, isW so c -,,a Corel, stub,, Iard sanr,, Coals shales rock Cariu9--15ft recovery Hard sand Coeds Shales hard sand Haz-J sa.;:; #, s} sle "! s hard a!_aIe Hard se rd; s 0041 Hard Mond, shale, coal Hard shale, 00&1 Coal, steals Hari NWAV Measles 00a1 Ham aw e, eoal a les, coal W rd smm4s *miss coal. Coals bard absr ales sand els a atrsain of qutsite "`--15 h. rec0".' ®s ooal,p rook Hard nods sale, coal 350 100# sacks Super Jel 21 I00,% aeaks Quebeacho BIT R&Cou 0-2817 Used 26 7-7/8 rock bits 2817-3855 Used 24 8-:2,� rack bits 2 8' A]l -gin , Coro heads ,2 51 Allan ice,; cors Treads C'Al 2921-2956 2946-,2 91 2991-3000 3000-3042 3042-3084 3484-3130 .31.30-314+0 314► -3153 310-3177 3297-3190 3190-3202 3202-3221 322E-32% 3276-33130 3300-3306 3306-3325 3325-3346 3346-33,4? 334P,3388 33M-3409 3409"-3422 3422-3455 3455-3498 3498-3540 3 SI�3-3563 3565-3588 3580-3613 3613-3�8 3618-3'M )?03-3733- 37336-3M 703.37333733--31 3751-7 37"-J?U 3784-3" 3N06 -3M 3OU -38" 3825-3630 3830-3a" 38"-3552 3851-3855 Lard sand, shale, coil. Sut atom Hard sand, Coal, shatep silt stens Hari shale, sand, cocll Hard send, shale Urd sa mi, 8hal.e, Hard Hard sand: Hurd shale Silt stone Hard sand Hard sand Hari wank: Hard sand, coal Hand sad, coal Hard mn3, shale hard sand, coal Hard sand, shale, coal Coal , aha 10 Coal, shale Hard sand, coal Coal, shale Oorin-•--13 fft . recovery Corm --33 Pt, roc ,very Hard eased, shale Hard ea rul p coal Hard send, ashalep orml Hard wand, shale, coal Hard send, coal Hard sand, ooal Bard send, I� d, al•.a v e, coal Hard sand, chasle, coed 8llt, hard sand VWd sandq ahals, coal Oaring—m recovery lrtrd shale Hard shale Hard shale, amid Hurd shale Owing --6 ft. recovery • • STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum To Memorandum for the Record FROM : George 0. Gates SUBJECT: P0, LASM GEOLOGY BRANCH TECHNICAL DATA FTT: r • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT G-Alas-GOG (mw) DATE: June 23, 195+ Mr. Ray Burk of Anchorage, Alaska, telephoned me from Bakersfield, California. He said that he was connected with the Alaska Gulf Oil and Gas Development Company and was trying to raise funds for drilling in the Goose Bay area. HesaidGeorge Tucker had referred him to me with the idea that we might be able to furnish him with a report. I called his attention to the Gryc-Miller-Payne statement on petroleum provinces of Alaska published in the AAPG, February issue, 1951• I also told 'nim that judging from the results of studies in adjacent areas available in open file reports that the Goose Bay area was likely underlain by Tertiary coal bearing rocks. Apparently he was after a report or state- ment that he might use to assist him in raising money. George O. Gates Chief Alaskan Geology Branch C7 Fairba s&lask�a 30X 106-8 July 24, 1953 %r. Jamea 3. NevtoA Regional .Wministr'atior Securities and Sxchw4v ComiLission Room 202. Securities Build 1904 Third Ame me Seattle 1, Washincton Dear Kr. newtons 0t.LA-'-'R-,N Y BnAXC TECHNICAL DATA F LN 4 3 m L v i, 195 Al K -"R 0 Br. Your letter of July la. 1963, regarding advertising of Alaska Gulf Oil & Gas Development, Inc. addressed to ray %A I'raancisco office has just come to v' attention here at Fairbanks. With reference to your question, about the statement in the brochure distributed by the corpor- ation in coLnection with at off+aring of securities to Alaskan residents "We of'f'er the most Drommising geological structure for possible oil protectiou as determined by the U. 8. Geologies. Survey*, the Geological Survey has not determined aat structure, within the area, of interest to the corporation as shown on the sketch in the brochure nor does the Geological $urvey have any knowledge of the existence of a structure within the area., Althe the ;geological. Survey has not carried out detailed Investigations in the area* so far as we know bedrocks are covered by a coAsol.idated materials largely of stream and glacW origin. Unconsolidated materials cover most of the lowlands of the Susitna and Matanuska valleys. The area under question, howrever# is within a belt which taken, as a whole, is considered geologically favorable for petroleum. This belt called the Alaska t e$uinsul.a3 Cook Inlet Resovoic Province is characterized by a eataamor-phosed rocks of Jurassic and Cretaceous age. This belt. 800 or more miles long, extends along the southeast part of the Alaska Peninsula. up Cock Inleet* and al) the kataxuska Valley into the southern part of the Copper Liver Basin, ',Within this province Kesozoic sediments known to be petroliferous or believed to be favorable for petroleum are exposed in the Larandeen Zave Chigaik, Keanatak and kamishak districts on the Alaska Peninsula; aa; tl Chini tna and Seldovia districts can Cook Inlet; the kata.nuzka and Neelchina. districts 1,7in.g be:tureen. the C =-a h and Talkeetna Y.ourktains; and in the Chi ting Valley. Similarity of the tesozo c sod.mments in these several areas of outcrop mi-ppart the Inferance that si Filer Mesozoic sediments extend, beneath intervening areas covered by sediments of younger ET14-14,it: A, brief generalised description of the geology of this 'belt as related to petroleum possibilities is contained in the paper prepared by George Gryc, Thomas G. Payne and Don C. killer of the U. S. Geological Survey an as pati of the symposium on possible future petroleum provinces of 1worth America sponsored by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and published in the journal of that organization rebruary 1951. 1 regret that i do not have a copy of the report to send to You. however, I am sure bulletins of the AAPG can be consulted in the library at the :university of Washington and perhaps also in the aeattle Library. The Alaska peninsula Cook inlet X4sosoic Province is described on pages 163# 164 and is shot. can a sketch map on page 161 (Bull. AAPG 7eb. 1951). I suspect that than Alaska Gulf Coil and Cas Development, Inc, is misquoting from the statement on the Alaska Peninsula Cook Inlet Mesozoic province, You will note on the sketch on psZe 161 that the area of Alaska Gulf tail and Gas Development, Inc, is within the provincee but is a part of one of the intervening; intervals where bedrocks are covered by unconsolidated sediments. You will note further that no mention is made of a► geologic structure in the area under question. To determine the structure of the bedrocks is this area would require some means of subsurface exploration such as a asismograph survey or by drilling. *etith the thought that they might be of use to you. I as enclosing copies of the Anchlorage quadrangle and Alaska Map A, As you requested. I am also enclosing the broeburs of Alaska Gulf 04.1 and. Gas Developments Inc. I hope that: this will give you the information you desire. If not, please do not hesitate to call on us further. S:cl, 3 cc: 0. N. Rove George Flint ""----► a. F. office Sincerely yours, George Q, Gates Chief* Alaskan Geoloar Branch E • • UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGIONAL OFFICE ROOM 202, SECURITIES BUILDING 1904 THIRD AVENUE SEATTLE 1, WASHINGTON July 10, 1953 Mr. George 0. Gates Chief Alaskan Geology Branch Room 100, Old Mint Bldg. Sara Francisco, California Dear Mr, Gates: ALASKAN GECL03Y BRANCH Re: Alaska Gulf Oil & Gas Development, Inc. I am writing you at the suggestion of Mr. Tell T. White, Chief of the Commission's Oil & Gas Section in Washing- ton,.D. C. Enclosed with this letter is a small brochure which has been distributed by the subject corporation in connection with an offering of securities to Alaskan residents. Since it is our function to determine the truth or falsity of repre- sentations made by securities issuers to induce the purchase of their stock, we are interested in determining the truth or falsity of representations made in the enclosed brochure. Mr. White contacted your Washington office and was advised by the person contacted that to the best of his knowledge the geological structure within the general vicinity of Anchorage, Alaska, has never been mapped. Mr. White suggested that you might have more detailed knowledge regarding geological struc- ture maps in the Anchorage area. I would appreciate it if you would advise me your opinion as to the accuracy of the statements made in the brochure relating to the geology of the area concerned. I am particularly interested in your comment on the state- ment in the left-hand inside column of the brochure which states "'We offer the most promising geological structure for possible oil production as determined by the U. S. Geological Survey.' Any additional comment you may care to make with regard to the statements made in the brochure would be appreciated. For your information, the notations in red pencil on the brochure were apparently put there by N0,MV person who forwarded the brochure to us from Alaska. L 16 'IJ Alaskan Geoff.. Br. -2- I would appreciate the return of the brochure when you have finished with it. Your cooperation will be very much appreciated. Very truly yours, Ef m E. Newton Regional administrator Enclosure: Brochure IN REPLY REFER TO: 4 of Th ,-- - a UNITED STATES al's, p DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR o a " GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Ay,� Baq June 3, 1953 Mr. George 0, Gates Alaskan Branch, USGS 100 Old Mint Bldg. San Francisco 3, Calif. Lear George: In answer to your May 27 letter concerning an advertisement in an Alaskan newspaper, I discussed this with Tom Nolan who agrees with John Reed --we'd better not do any- thing about advising them, or requesting them, not to refer to us that way in their advertising. After all, they are simply misquoting published information which they have a right to do. If you are questioned about it you can and should state the facts and point out that this ad really goes beyond anything stated in the AAFG article. You can, and should, of course, refer them to the article or anything else published. This is regrettable but letts ignore it --or laugh it off --if we can. Best regards, W. H. Bradley Chief Geologist • Memorandum • UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY To: District Engineer, Los Angeles Fromi Regional Dining Supervisor, Anchorage IN REPLY REFER TO: Anchorage, Alaska Box 259 November 2, 1955 Subject: Alaska Gulf Oil & Gas, Well No. 1, Anchorage 029167--A In answer to your maswrandvta of October 31, the site of the well was visited on October 28 at, which time a slight bubbling of gas and about a quart of fresh water per minute was emerging from the surface around the plugged hole. Someone had placed an inverted can with a small hole in it over the hole and the escaping gas was burning with a small jet of about three inches long. This was extinguished and we could place a no trepopassing sign at the area. The leak mzetiy have developed since the ground has frozen and thus was not noticed before. In any case, it is undoubtly methane from some of the many coal beds intersected, driven by ground water possibly from the small lake At to the south of the hole. As you state, this leakage points up the necessity of adequate surface pipe as was discussed in previous coores- pondence. A few pictures were taken and if satisfactory will be sent on. During the same trip, the site of the Houston Oil & Gas, Rosetta No. 1 was visited and this operation is also buttoned up for the winter. The local Land Office has sant a tUegrau to the Washington office attempting to get a clarification on the status of this well site. Pictures taken here will also be sent an if they turn out as the light was very poor. It appears that the drilling season for this year is about over for the operators in the Territory. The Havenstrike drilling crew is about to came in which leaves only Phillips Petroleum Co. as Icy Bay active. If we can be of further assistance please advise, L.H. Saarela Regional Mining Supervisor �+ O o' Memorandum • UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY To: District Engineer, Los Angeles Fromi Regional Dining Supervisor, Anchorage IN REPLY REFER TO: Anchorage, Alaska Box 259 November 2, 1955 Subject: Alaska Gulf Oil & Gas, Well No. 1, Anchorage 029167--A In answer to your maswrandvta of October 31, the site of the well was visited on October 28 at, which time a slight bubbling of gas and about a quart of fresh water per minute was emerging from the surface around the plugged hole. Someone had placed an inverted can with a small hole in it over the hole and the escaping gas was burning with a small jet of about three inches long. This was extinguished and we could place a no trepopassing sign at the area. The leak mzetiy have developed since the ground has frozen and thus was not noticed before. In any case, it is undoubtly methane from some of the many coal beds intersected, driven by ground water possibly from the small lake At to the south of the hole. As you state, this leakage points up the necessity of adequate surface pipe as was discussed in previous coores- pondence. A few pictures were taken and if satisfactory will be sent on. During the same trip, the site of the Houston Oil & Gas, Rosetta No. 1 was visited and this operation is also buttoned up for the winter. The local Land Office has sant a tUegrau to the Washington office attempting to get a clarification on the status of this well site. Pictures taken here will also be sent an if they turn out as the light was very poor. It appears that the drilling season for this year is about over for the operators in the Territory. The Havenstrike drilling crew is about to came in which leaves only Phillips Petroleum Co. as Icy Bay active. If we can be of further assistance please advise, L.H. Saarela Regional Mining Supervisor • Nemorandum • UNITED STATES IN REPLY REFER TO: DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Room 101 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Post Office L Court 'rouse Los 1=rgeles 12, Cali f orr_ia Cctober 31, 1955 To: Regional rj'ini ng Supervisor, Anchorage From: District Engineer, Los Angeles Air . a� 1 Db U.a GEOLO Anthorage.1955 , 4' ' ka BEY Subject: Lease Anchorage 029467-41. Alaska Gulf Cil and Gas Development, Inc. dell Ko, 1. Thank you .for rour note of October 24, and the news -paper clipping about this well. ie shall appreciate raving you inspect the site and -ive us an authentic description of the condition ,Thich caused the newspaper article.- .,e -..re concerned about esca-oe of i7r_portant quantities of gas either from inside the casing or around it, and about the escape of salt water at any place. Salt water escaping from behind casing may contaminate fresh water or mineral zones behind the pipe and may do donage on the surface. This suspected condition illustrates the desir- ability esirability of a good string of surface pipe cemented solidly from shoe to surface. Your letter of September 19, 1955- and tYL- four photographs convinced uz that tre surface abandonment is not complete, and must be corrected; but you made no mention of escaping gas or salt water. In fact the photograph showed no visible leakage. Perhaps "he nsTJs- raper reports e inaccurate or exaggerated. Situations of this kind illustrate tre difficulty of supervision from this greet distance. Your cooperation has been most helpful. Law District Engineer CUftPH`� NOV 2 ts55 ��5 of Tyf'y IN REPLY REFER TO: .-� UNITED STATES G-AlasGO -= a DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR W � O � GEOLOGICAL SURVEY BEER# Alaskan Geology Branch 4 HOMEWOOD PLACE MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA '5ti September4k :��C $U,,,, A,Rs*a Mr. Leo Saarela Regional Mining Supervisor Conservation Division U. S. Geological Survey Box 259 Anchorage, Alaska Dear Leo: I have a copy of your memorandum of September 16 to Robert Chapman and I was certainly glad to learn that you were able to obtain a set of samples of the cores and cuttings from Alaska Gulf Oil Well No. 1. I am wondering whether you have been able to arrange with Tucker and Peterson to obtain samples from the well they are now drilling in the Houston area. From the information I have, the Alaska Gulf oil well did not go through the Tertiary. We therefore are particularly anxious to obtain samples from the Tucker and Peterson well as the depth they plan to drill should certainly reach rocks underlying the Tertiary. With kindest regards, cc: Snow No_ Since George 0. Gates Chief Alaskan Geology Branch OCT 71355.