The Potash Field in Western Texas. - Industrial & Engineering

The Potash Field in Western Texas. George R. Mansfield. Ind. Eng. Chem. , 1923, 15 (5), pp 494–497. DOI: 10.1021/ie50161a029. Publication Date: May ...
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T h e Potash Field in Western Texas’j2 By George R. Mansfield U. S.GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C.

TESTBORINGBY THE U. S. H E geological conPotash, probably of commercial quality and thickness, and at ditions in western minable depth, has been found in western Texas in the Panhandle GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Texas resemble in region and in adjacent territory to the south and southwest. This In the winter of 1915-16 many ways those of the is no chance discovery, but the result of a definite search carried on the U. S. Geological SurStassfurt district in Gerfor a dozen years by the U.S. Geological Survey with the co&ration vey began a test boring for many, famous for its salt of the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology and Technology. The potash a t Cliffside, six and potash. I n both research has been hampered by lack. of funds, by lack. of interest on the miles northwest of Amarillo gions “Red Beds” of Perpart of drillers who were in search of oil rather than potash, by the in Potter County (No. 10 mian age-including shales, necessity of dependence upon the results of desultory wildcatting, on map). This site was sand-stones, limestones, and by the inadequacy of the methods employed in drilling for showselected because it is nearly etc., with intercalated beds ing the quality and thickness of the potash beds encountered. AIin the axis of the salt basin, of salt, gypsum, and anhythough the presence of the potash is established, definite information near two wells from which drite-are present. The is still lacking regarding the thickness, quality, and extent of indipotash has been obtained, geological conditions in vidual beds, the location of the richest deposits, and the place where and it is readily accessible. Texas are also similar to the potash may be exploited most conveniently and cheaply. After interruptions through those in the Alsatian potash The earlier discooeries were announced by Udden.3 Recent lack of funds the well was field, but the Alsatian beds information regarding these deposits has been distributed in the completed in 1917, a t a are much younger. These form of press notices, five of which have been issued by the U.S. depth of 1703 ft. Although resemblances have led Geological Survey beginning June 7 , 1921, and in more extended salt beds totaling more geologists to expect that papers by White4 and Steiger.s , than 350 ft. in thickness potash salts would sooner were penetrated, only inor later be found in Texas, especially since it has long been known that the salt beds significant amounts ‘of potash were found in the brines and of Texas have great thickness and it is inconceivable that no actual potash-bearing mineral was recognized. It was everywhere throughout the salt-bearing area concentration thought, however, that salt beds would have been encounby evaporation should have stopped short of the degree tered for a t least an additional 350 ft. had it been possible to continue drilling. Although no further test boring by required for the precipitation of potash salts. The geologic structure of the region, as mapped by Darton,6 the Survey has been practicable, an observer has been kept is that of a syncline or basin with axis trending nearly north- in the field to cooperate with drillers and to secure sameast. Darton’s map, as modified by White and the author, ples for analysis. is reproduced in part in Fig. 1. The Permian beds are not RESULTSFROM WILDCATTING well exposed a t the surface in the known potash-bearing region, so that information regarding their structure is derived Since 1920 data of a more favorable nature have been acchiefly from scattered wells. As data from such sources cumulating as a result of observations a t wildcat wells, and become more abundant the relatively simple basin outlined the mineral polyhalite (MgSOr .KzSO4.2CaS04. 2Hz0) has on the map will doubtless be modified by the presence of been recognized a t a number of localities in an area a t least subordinate basins or folds. One basin of this type is sug- 130 miles long and 80 miles or more wide. Of the seven wells gested by the eastward extension in Martin and Midland that have thus far yielded information of this sort, threecounties of the area containing 400 f t . or more of salt. Ac- namely, the Bryant well (No. 4 on map), the Burns well cording to the structure indicated, the potash beds should be (No. 5), and the G. A. Jones well (No. 9)-have furnished nearer the surface in the marginal areas of the basin and no continuous record but only individual cuttings. These, deeper toward the central part. however, show noteworthy percentages of potash. Thus, a sample taken between 2405 and 2411 ft. in the Bryant EARLIERDISCOVERIES OF POTASH well contained 8.94 per cent KzO in the soluble salts. In The first discovery of potash in western Texas was made the Burns well a sample a t 1780 ft. yielded 11.95 per cent of in 1912 by Udden, in brine taken from a depth of about KzO, equivalent to 21-10 per cent KzO in the soluble salts. 2200 ft. in a well a t Spur in Dickens County (No. 1 on map). Selected pieces from cuttings between 1070 and 1075 ft. This brine after standing was found to contain 5.4 per cent in the Jones well assayed 22.9 per cent of potash in the solpotaesium calculated as chloride. In 1915 crystals of red uble salts. The other four wells have supplied more or less salt in material from a depth between 875 and 926 ft. in a continuous records for certain depths. well a t Boden in Potter County (No. 2 on map) yielded C ONTINU ous REc ORDS 9.2 per cent KzO. I n 1915 also, red salt from a depth between 1500 and 1700 ft. in the Miller well in Randall County The River well (No. 6), theMeans well (No. 7), the Mc(No. 3 on map) assayed 6.1 per cent KzO, and some colorless Dowel1 No. 4 (No. 8), and the St. Rita (No. 11) have furparticles from a depth greater than 1700 ft. in the same well nished more nearly continuous records. These records, were found to contain 10.5 per cent KzO. together with partial logs, have been plotted and placed side by side for comparison in Fig. 2. The most detailed 1 Received February 28, 1923. record is afforded by the Means well, in which samples were 2 Published by permission of the Director, U. S. Geological Survey. a University of Texas, Bull. 36s (1914), 82; 17 (1916). taken every 5 ft., but all four show the occurrence of potash 4 M z n i n g Met., April, 1922, 19. at more than one depth and the Means well suggests that 0 Chem. Met. Eng., 26 (1922), 176. there may be eight or ten separate potash-bearing beds in 4 U. S. Geol. Suvvey, Bull. 716 (19211,205.

T

106*

105O

103’

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1010

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3.03FIG. 1-PART

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192-

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.-

BEDS”SALT REGION, TEXAS A I D NEW MEXICO

some parts of the field. The different depths at which potash has been found in the respective wells suggest that it may occur in beds of local rather than of regional extent.

INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS The unsatisfactory nature of samples taken with churn drill or rotary outfits, such as were used in these wells, especially when the interval between samples is greater than 5 ft., is readily apparent. The mixture of the material effectually prevents recognition of individual beds, unless these are very thick. The dangers of salting lower beds by material from higher levels and of misinterpretation by hang-over bailings are ever present. The necessary water in the hole, by its solvent effect on salts of differing solubilities,

may cause either enrichment or impoverishment of the sample, this effect being intensified or diminished by the length of time the water is in contact with the sample. The results indicated in the chart are therefore to be regarded as suggestive rather than as giving any accurate idea of the number, character, and quality of the individual beds. The analyses recorded in Fig. 2 have been made on the arbitrary laboratory basis of 1g. of sample to 100 cc. of water. Commercial practice may find some other proportion more suitable. According to Steiger,5 1 g. of polyhalite contains 0.452 g. CaSO4, 0.199 g. MgS04, 0.289 g. K2804, and 0.060 g. of water. While the presen’ce of other salts will slightly change the figures, 100 cc. of pure water a t 25’ C. will dissolve 0.208 g. of CaSO4. This dissolved CaS04, added to the

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easily soluble MgS04 and KzS04 in 1 g. of the mineral, will total 0.696 g., or 69.6 per cent of the soluble salts. By calculation we find that the 15.6 per cent of KzO in pure polyhalite becomes 22.4 per cent of KzO in the soluble salts. This figure will vary accordingly if a larger or smaller amount of water is used. Referring back, it will be noted that the 22.9 per cent of KzO a t the Jones well and the 21.10 per cent of KZO at the Burns well probably indicate the presence of pure polyhalite. There seems no good reason why the occurrence of potash in Texas should be limited to the mineralogic combination found in polyhalite, though both chemical and optical examinations have thus far failed to identify other salts. Additional types corresponding with the more common German salts are to be confidently expected. NEEDFOR FURTHER EXPLORATION Core drilling is needed to give accurate information. Drillers are urged to consider potash as well as oil in sinking new holes, and to provide for coring the salt beds. This is being done a t the Newnham well No. 1 (No. 12 on map) which the Farmers Oil Co., of Lancaster, Pa., is now drilling. At the present writing, the salt beds have not been reached. The Texon Oil & Land Company is beginning a similar test in Reagan County, near the St. Rita well. In such work brine solutions consisting of about 30 to 35 per cent of magnesium chloride have been used in Germany instead of water to prevent injury to the cores by solution. The negative result at the Survey's boring a t Cliffside, which was thought to be favorably located, shows that barren areas may be interspersed with possibly productive areas. The only way in which these last can be delimited is by drilling, and it may take many holes before the necessary facts can be gathered. Gale' notes that when systematic 7

Gale,

U. S. Geol. Survey, Bull.

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exploration for potash began in Alsace more than 100 deep borings were put down, 95 of which penetrated rock salt. Of these only 17 found potash layers. If this is any criterion for Texas it will be a long time before much will be known of the commercial value of the potash beds, if inquiry is conhed to wildcat operations. Some far-sighted company with a view to future rather than immediate returns, or even the Government itself, should make a systematic campaign of investigation. It is believed that the evidence already obtained points strongly to the probability of deposits of commercial value and would justify the needed expenditure.

OUTLOOKFOR COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION No one should enter the Texas potash field with the idea of securing quick and large returns. To the cost of preliminary exploration must be added the cost of sinking shafts to depths perhaps as great as 2000 ft., and the costs of construction and labor for operating deep mines. The present market for potash is largely in the eastern and southeastern seaboard states accessible to cheaply transported foreign potash, whereas from Texas transportation charges to these states are higher. On the other hand, there is a growing need for fertilizers, most of which contain some potash, in the Central and Great Plains States, which are less accessible to foreign potash. These would be more easily reached by the Texas product. Sooner or later the demand in these states will be sufficient to support a potash industry and, Texas potash will come into its own. It is greatly to be hoped that this day will be speeded, for the economics of the hour demand a rehabilitation of our rapidly depleting soils and an earnest effort to increase the amount of foodstuffs for export.

715 (1920), 19.

time closing the valve V. Upon removing the finger the stock liquid again runs automatically into the cylinder. If it is desired to fit the Heavy and Corrosive Liquids' measuring cylinder into a reservoir of stock liquid, it may be By Arthur P. Harrison passed through a stopper provided with an air vent. BUREAUOP PLANT INDUSTRY, WASHINGTON,D. C. The desirable features of this apparatus are-regulation An ingenious device for delivering concentrated alkali, deof quantity of liquid to be developed by w. J. Geldard, appeared recently in THISJOURNAL.* As a further contribution toward devices for this and similar livered, by sliding of pressure purposes, the apparatus here illustrated, now in constant tube up or down within the measuring cylinder; comuse in our laboratory, is presented. pressed air is used to empty A wide graduated cylinder is fitted a t the bottom with a the measuring device, and, as one-hole rubber stopper, or else a hole is drilled through the delivery is not by siphon, the flat bottom of a wide graduated cylinder, and a glass plate is flow may be stopped instantly allowed to rest over the hole, forming the valve V. A two- by removing the finger from hole rubber stopper is fitted into the top of the cylinder, the pressure tube if occasion through which passes a delivery tube, D, reaching nearly to should warrant; no complithe bottom, and a sliding pressure tube, P, which forms a T cated glass blowing is necesabove the stopper. One arm of the T is connected to the sary in construction; the apcompressed-air line. paratus operates within the When the lower end of the cylinder is immersed, the liquid liquid itself, unexposed to automatically rises in the measuring cylinder throu'gh the breakage; use is not limited valve VI until it is stopped by cutting off the air outlet at the to a closed vessel; heavy and base of the pressure tube P. By holding the finger over the corrosive liquids not amenable open arm of the T above the stopper, the compressed air to satisfactory manipulation force8 the liquid out through the delivery tube D, a t the same by ordinary means may be easily, accurately, and speedily 1 Received March 16, 1923. dispensed. THIS JOURNAL, 16 (1923), 153.

A Laboratory Dispensing Device for