San Juan Basin Petro-geological Research Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS-334 -BC
Scope and Content
The San Juan Basin Petro-Geological Research Collection contains documents related to the exploration for oil and gas in northwestern New Mexico. Central to the collection is a type-written report describing the geological make-up and preliminary assessments of the possibility of productive oil and gas wells in an area known geologically as the San Juan Basin. This report, called "Report on Northwest New Mexico and Adjacent Areas of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado (1920), researched and written by Jack Sickler and A.B. Beall, Jr., details likely locations for new oil wells for the Midwest Refining Company. The report includes several geological maps showing the stratigraphy of two prominent dome formations in the area. A detailed physical geography and surveyed lot map of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico is also included. All maps are located in the oversize folder.
Other paper work in the collection includes correspondence between geologist Jack Sickler and land assessment offices in Gallup and Santa Fe, New Mexico (1948). There are blank copies of lease agreements, receipts for monies paid on oil and gas leases (1948), hand drawn sketch maps and stratigraphic cross-sections of the Defiance Anticline (1948, by Harry Feder), an unlabeled township survey grids, and two photographs of landscape features marked by hand with geological information. The collection was formerly called Petro-Geological Report.
Other paper work in the collection includes correspondence between geologist Jack Sickler and land assessment offices in Gallup and Santa Fe, New Mexico (1948). There are blank copies of lease agreements, receipts for monies paid on oil and gas leases (1948), hand drawn sketch maps and stratigraphic cross-sections of the Defiance Anticline (1948, by Harry Feder), an unlabeled township survey grids, and two photographs of landscape features marked by hand with geological information. The collection was formerly called Petro-Geological Report.
Dates
- 1920-1948
Creator
- University of New Mexico. University Libraries (Organization)
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
History
The San Juan Basin of northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona was the area of New Mexicos first commercially viable oil and gas wells. Major strikes in the Basin in 1920 and 1922 resulted from a flurry of exploration activity in the area during the 1910s by the Midwest Refining Company and other outfits. The Midwest Refining Company began operations in 1914 and as an affiliate of the Midwest Oil Company (later Midwest Oil Corporation), an Arizona-based oil company formed in 1911. The Midwest Refining Company hired Jack Sickler and A.B. Beall, Jr., petro-geologists, to work under the guidance of Thomas S. Harrison, the companys chief geologist from 1914-1920, to explore the drilling possibilities in the San Juan Basin. Their final report describing the geology major physical features of the area and the likelihood of oil strikes in the San Juan Basin is the main document of this collection. The Midwest Refining Company struck oil in the Hogback Dome, in 1922, leading to the first San Juan Basin oil boom in subsequent years. The Midwest Refining Company was acquired by Stanolind Oil and Gas Company (a subsidiary of Standard Oil Company) in 1921, and the name disappeared from use in 1926.
Extent
1 box (.45 cu. ft.) + 2 oversize folders
Abstract
The main component of this collection is a report detailing the results of oil and gas exploration in the San Juan Basin, Northwest New Mexico, in 1920. Additional items include maps of the geology of the San Juan Basin and correspondence between Jack Sickler, geologist, and his business associates concerning oil leases in New Mexico.
- Geology -- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)
- Geology -- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.) -- Maps
- Oil fields -- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)
- Petroleum -- New Mexico -- History
- Petroleum -- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)
- Petroleum industry and trade -- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.)
- San Juan Basin (N.M. and Colo.) -- Maps
Creator
- University of New Mexico. University Libraries (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the San Juan Basin Petro-geological Research Collection, 1920-1948
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Tad McIlwraith
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 334 BC::San Juan Basin Petro-geological Research Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss334bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu