Recent Developments in Western Michigan: ABSTRACT

Abstract

The Western Michigan district comprises seven counties in the west-central part of the state. The district includes the area from Muskegon, north to Manistee, west to Cadillac, and south to the vicinity of Big Rapids.The area is fortunately situated as regards transportation facilities, being served by four Lake Michigan ports and a network of railroads and highways. Although one of the major pools of the state, the Muskegon pool, was discovered in this district in 1927, the area apparently was not very attractive to the operating companies and development until recently has been slow. Other fields in the district are Hart, discovered in 1932 but now abandoned, Ravenna gas field in 1936, Dalton in 1940, Sauble in 1942, Woodville and Goodwell in 1943, Stony Lake in 1946, and Kimball Lake in 1947. All oil fields produce from the Traverse (Devonian) limestone; Muskegon also produced from the Dundee (Devonian) limestone. The Ravenna gas field produces from the Berea, a sandy limestone member of the Ellsworth (Mississippian) formation. Stony Lake field, Oceana County, was discovered in December, 1946, by the Carter Oil Company. During 1947 the field was expanded to 26 wells which, by November 1, had produced approximately 275,000 barrels of oil. The field has been developed on a spacing pattern of one well to each 40-acre unit, with wells drilled in the northeast corner of each unit. The Kimball Lake field, Newaygo County, discovered by the Sun Oil Company in February, 1947, had produced by November 1, approximately 619,000 barrels of oil from 82 wells. The field is being developed on a diagonal 20-acre pattern; the wells are drilled in the northeast and southwest corners of 40-acre units. Both fields were located by core drilling. Their discovery has resulted in a renewal of interest and vigorous exploration in wes ern Michigan. End_of_Article - Last_Page 305------------