Most of the following news is condensed from the weekly review of the oil regions by the Reno Times [Reno, Pa.] of Jan. 4th:

Cherry Run

On Wednesday an attempt was made to remove the sucker rods from a well recently struck on the Smith farm on Cherry Run, about a mile up the creek. The last two or three joints of the rods were blown out with great force. The pressure of gas was so great that it was necessary to chain down the tubing.

Arrangements were speedily made for receiving the oil, which soon began to flow at the rate of a barrel in four minutes, and kept on flowing all night and the next day till our informant left. It is rated at 350 to 400 barrels of oil a day — some say 500 or more. The oil is 43 degrees gravity. The well was sunk into the third sand rock at a depth of about 525 feet.

Church Run

This is the uppermost tributary of Oil Creek where oil has been yet discovered in daying [sic] quantities. The run is small and winds down a steep gully in the rear of the town of Titusville, and meandering through the rear portion of the town, falls into Oil Creek some distance below.

Eureka Well

The Eureka Well is situated on the stream about one and a half miles from Titusville, and is now pumping about 35 barrels daily. This is the only producing well as yet upon the Run. Its success has, however, stimulated further development and several new wells are now being sunk along the Run at various points. One of these, owned by Adams & Co., is observable on account of the complete and comfortable manner in which arrangements have been made for sinking it. The engine house and derricks are all included in one building, the derrick being boarded to the top and nearly roofed, and windows are provided. The well is to be sunk with poles, or pole tools, instead of the usual bull rope. These poles are similar to ordinary sucker rods, only larger.

Watson Flats

The Watson Flats are situated along the bank of Oil Creek, just below Titusville. There is a well on the land of the Watson Petroleum Company here, which has already reached the depth of 1,600 feet, and is still being deepened. This hole has now passed through the third sand rock, but not reached the fourth.

The first sand rock on these flats is generally reached at a depth of about 45 feet, and is from 15 to 35 feet thick. The rock beneath this is a kind of soft slate rock, easily drilled to a depth of some 400 feet, where the second stone is reached. This is about 75 feet thick. Below this the soft slate rock is varied by three layers of sand rock from 15 to 20 feet thick at various distances to the depth of 1,600 feet.

The oil hitherto has been got, upon these flats, from the second sand rock at a depth of from 400 to 475 feet from the surface. Its density is about 40 to 42, being superior to that of Pithole, which averages about 47. The pipe has to be driven at this place to a depth of 100 to 110 feet. The large amount of pipe thus required forms an important item of the cost of sinking a well, greatly enhancing the expense.

The land of the Parker Petroleum Company is situated adjacent to these flats. On it, a new well, not yet named, was recently struck, which is now pumping 14 barrels daily. The oil produced upon these flats commands fifty cents per barrel more than the Pithole well when delivered at the Titusville market, owing to its greater density. About 64 holes have been sunk on Watson Flats, only five of which are now producing. On the north side of the creek, 44 wells have been sunk. Five of these are now worked. The oil produced is about 60 barrels daily.

Upper Sugar Creek

Since the publication of Prof. Williams’ communication about the Johnson well in Randolph township, Crawford County, we have further important intelligence from that quarter. On Saturday last, the well commenced flowing spontaneously, and after flowing some thirty barrels, bursted [sic] the seed bag and continued to flow for several hours. Most of the oil was lost, as no preparation had been made to save it, under the circumstances. But a good many barrels were gathered up off the ground afterwards.

The oil is of the richest and heaviest lubricating quality. This is the finest development yet made in the upper Sugar Creek region. [It] settles conclusively the value of the territory in that part of Crawford county. The owners are now engaged in putting in a new seed-bag, and making preparations for active operations.

Shaft of the Petroleum Shaft Mining Company

This company commenced sinking a shaft on an elevation opposite Petroleum Centre on the eastern side of Oil Creek in the early part of last season, which has now reached a depth of 75 feet. The shaft is about ten feet wide and fifteen long. The work has been delayed for a considerable time for want of the necessary workmen are now engaged. It is stated that it will be pushed on vigorously after the engines and other appliances have been place.

The difficulties to be encountered in this enterprise, in the contemplation of the unskilled observer, seem very great. The gas existing beneath the surface of all oil territory must be met and overcome. So far as respiration is concerned this is possible, but the shaft must be sunk with the aid of the drill and of powder. The difficulty of preventing the ignition of the gas from the blasts, if not form the fire which any chance blow from the drill may produce, seems almost insurmountable … More especially when a great depth is reached, and the flow of gas becomes steady and powerful.

The principal object of this undertaking is undoubtedly to investigate the [?] and associations of King Petroleum amid the dark and hitherto unapproachable recesses of his dwelling place. Should success eventually crown the undertaking, the scientific world cannot fail to receive large acquisitions of knowledge from an actual inspection of the channels of this wondrous source of wealth, so many feet beneath the surface.

A company has been formed at Petroleum Centre for laying a pipe to convey oil down the creek to the depot of the Reno, Oil Creek & Pithole Railway at Rouseville. The right of way, it is said, has been already secured. Messrs. A. L. King and W. W. Culver are actively engaged in the process.

Miscellaneous

The Dennis Run and West Hickory Oil Company, who own large producing interests on Dennis Run, declared a dividend for the month of December of eight percent, and held in reserve from the earnings some twenty thousand dollars to be expended in boring more wells.

The most promising field for remunerative oil operations is at Tidioute. The famous region of Dennis Run is at this place. The wells on Dennis Run all strike oil at the depth of 240 feet. Every well on the run, which has been put down to the proper depth, has struck oil in paying quantities. The wells on this land are producing from 30 to 200 barrels each.

The Pithole Record says: The old United States well is now being tested once more, with a good show of oil. The owners are anticipating good results. We hope yet to chronicle a resumption by this pioneer well of its former spouting propensities.

A company has been organized in Titusville, for the purpose of laying down pipes for the purpose of conveying oil from Pithole to the former place. The distance in a straight line, between the two places, is eight and one half miles.

The plank road between the Miller Farm and Pithole is completed from the latter place to the Paxton House, on West Pithole, and a large gang of workmen are busy in grading the remaining part of the route.

The daily yield of oil on the Paxton Farm, West Pithole, is now about one hundred barrels. The prospect is very good for a large increase in yield.

The Fisher Well, No. 110 on Rooker farm, Pithole, has declared a dividend of $1,000 per 1/16th working interest from the profits of six weeks.

A large quantity of oil is at Petroleum Centre and Bennehoff Run is now accumulated in the tanks and awaiting means of transportation.

In boring an oil well at Ballston Spa, N.Y., the Journal reports striking a vein of Congress water, and after that a strong vein of sulfur water.

The various farms on Pithole Creek, in November, paid an income tax of $55,000.

A correspondent of the Toronto Globe, writing from Wanstead, a station on the Sarnia branch of the Great Western Railway, says there is to be a new oil center in that vicinity. And that capitalists are about to test the district being well satisfied with the indications. A score of engines are already on the ground.

There is a large quantity of oil at the wells in tanks, but no sale, as buyers are uncertain as to the means of getting it out. We have heard the amount now in tanks upon Oil Creek estimated as high as from 40,000 to 50,000 barrels, of which it is said the Bennehoff Run Company have 30,000 barrels. Boating is exceedingly precarious.