Uranium and Helium in the Panhandle Gas Field Texas, and Adjacent Areas By A. P. PIERCE, G. B. GOTT, and J. W. MYTTON

With contributions by HENRY FAUL, G. E. MANGER, A. B. TANNER, A. S. ROGERS, ROSEMARY STAATZ, and BETTY SKIPP

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 454-G

Prepared on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1964 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 CONTENTS

Page Page Abstract. ______Gl Uranium and other metals in the Panhandle field Con. Introduction. ______1 Uranium and other metals in the crude oil.______G26 Acknowledgments. ______19 Radium and uranium in the brine. 28 Geology of the western part of the Panhandle field. 19 Uraniferous asphaltite______33 Descriptive geology.______22 Nomenclature. ______35 "Granite wash".___--___-___-___---___ 22 Review of the literature. 35 "Moore County lime"______22 Physical properties______38 "Brown dolomite". ______22 Composition and mineralogy. 39 "Panhandle lime"______23 Origin of the asphaltite______46 "Red Cave"______24 Radon in the natural gas.______49 Structure. ______24 Helium in the natural gas______49 Uranium and other metals in the Panhandle field. _ 24 Conclusions. ______55 Uranium in the reservoir and cap rocks___--_- 24 Selected bibliography______55

ILLUSTRATIONS

[Plates are in pocket]

PLATE 1. Map of the western part of the Panhandle field, Page Texas, showing structure contours and radon and FIGURE 10. A, Dense anhydritic oolitic dolomite contain­ helium content in gas wells. ing disseminated nodules; B, Asphaltite 2. Isometric panel diagram showing geology of the nodules..______---__--_-__ G38 reservoir rocks. 11. Asphaltite in porous crystalline dolomite from a major gas-producing zone______39 3. Correlation of gamma-ray logs with uraniferous asphaltite in some wells. 12. Relation of anhydrite and nodular as­ phaltite to red organic material in oolitic Page dolomite______41 FIGURE 1. Index map of the Panhandle area.______G2 13. Polished sections of asphaltite nodules show­ 2. Map showing major structural features. ____ 20 ing "nebular" dispersions of smaltite- 3. Generalized stratigraphic section of Upper chloanthite. ______44 Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian rocks. _ 21 14. Comparison of "capillary" structures in 4. Sketch showing typical mineralogical rela­ asphaltite nodules.______45 tionships in porous "Brown dolomite".... 23 15. Cataclastic pyrite crystals in an asphaltite 5. Concentrations of metals in crude oil, as­ nodule.. ______45 phaltite nodules, and connate brine...... 27 16. Asphaltite associated with secondary anhydrite 6. Radium, calcium sulfate, and salinity con­ in dolomite______46 tent compared to calcium to magnesium 17. Asphaltite associated with secondary anhy­ and chlorine to sulfate concentration drite. ______46 ratios... __-!______29 18. Asphaltite nodules surrounded by halos, in 7. Calcium, calcium sulfate, and salinity con­ shale______47 tent compared to calcium to magnesium 19. Fossiliferous chert containing asphaltite and chlorine to sulfate concentration nodules______48 ratios______32 20. Distribution of helium in the Panhandle field 8. Regional distribution of uraniferous as­ and adjacent areas______51 phaltite- ______34 21. Graph showing ratio of helium to nitrogen in 9. Diagrammatic cross section from Moore gas samples from the Panhandle, Cliffside, County to Hockley County, Tex_____. 36 and Quinduno fields______--___-_ i _- 52 in IV CONTENTS TABLES [Tables 5 and 6 are in pocket]

Page TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically------G3 2. Wells shown on plate 1, listed alphabetically by company and name.______14 3. Uranium content of drill cuttings of reservoir rocks from some wells in the western part of the Panhandle field- - _ _ 25 4. Radium content and radon-emanating power of core samples from two wells in the Panhandle field______25 5. Spectrographic and chemical analyses of the ash of samples of crude oil from the Panhandle field. 6. Calculated concentration of metals in samples of crude oil from the Panhandle field. 7. Metal concentrations in thermodiffusion fractions of a sample of crude oil from well 731___-_-__------_-__-- 28 8. Radium content and chemical analyses of brine samples from some gas wells in the Panhandle and Hugoton fields, by A. S. Rogers. ______-_-_ - 30 9. Isotopic composition of radium in brine from two wells in the Panhandle field____-__-_-___-__---__-_-_____ 33 10. Size distribution of asphaltite nodules from the reservoir and cap rocks of the western part of the Panhandle field. _ 38 11. Fine-size distribution of asphaltite nodules from the reservoir and cap rocks of the western part of the Panhandle field._-___-______-_-______---_------_-_ 38 12. Specific gravity and size of some asphaltite nodules from drill cuttings, western part of the Panhandle field- ______39 13. Organic analyses of asphaltite nodules from the western part of the Panhandle field.______-___-_-____-.____- 40 14. Spectrographic, radiometric, and X-ray crystallographic analyses of asphaltite nodules from the western part of the Panhandle field______..._... 42 15. Estimated average concentration of metals in brine, crude oil, and asphaltite from the Panhandle field.______47 16. Comparison of ratios of percent metal in crude oil and asphaltite to percent metal in brine from the Panhandle field.-_____-______.______._____.______-.______--__-_____-_------_-- 47 17. Composition of natural gas from the western part of the Panhandle field, the Cliffside field, and the Quinduno field.-....-._------._-_.--_.___-___.-__.._____--_-_-_.-_..___..______.----_-_-----_------.-- 50 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS, AND ADJACENT AREAS

By A. P. PIERCE, G. B. GOTT, and J. W. MYTTON

ABSTRACT ments in siltstone and as fillings in fractures and solution cavi­ The dominant structural feature of the Panhandle gas field of ties in dolomite. Texas is the Amarillo-Wichita uplift, a northwest-trending The asphaltite is probably a petroleum derivative; the ura­ geanticline, extending over 200 miles from the Wichita Moun­ nium and other metals within it were derived from the rocks in tains of southern Oklahoma to the Dalhart basin northwest of which the asphaltite now occurs, and were concentrated in petro­ Amarillo, Tex. leum compounds. Subsequent radiation damage changed the physical and chemical characteristics of the original organic As a result of uplift that began during Late Mississippian or Early Pennsylvanian time the pre-Pennsylvanian rocks were material. The distribution of uraniferous asphaltite indicates that it is eroded and the Precambrian basement complex of the Amarillo- the source of the abnormally high radon concentration in the Wichita area was exposed. By Early Permian time the Precam­ brian rocks were submerged and marine rocks were deposited gases from a number of wells. The highest concentrations of helium in the Panhandle field over the uplift. Repeated crustal movement since that time has occur along the western boundary at points where faulting has folded and faulted the rocks that overlie the uplift. brought the gas-reservoir rocks into contact with the uranifer­ The rocks of the Panhandle field that have been studied as ous asphaltic rocks that normally overlie the gas reservoir. part of this investigation range from Upper Pennsylvanian to These rocks are unusually radioactive over a large area south­ Lower Permian and include "arkose," shallow marine limestone west of the field, and may have been the source of a significant and dolomite, and siltstone and shale interbedded with an­ part of the helium that has accumulated in the gas reservoir. hydrite. The Panhandle gas field originally contained the largest com­ INTRODUCTION mercial helium reserve in the United States. It also contains anomalous concentrations of radon. The reservoir rocks con­ The Texas Panhandle gas field covers about 5,000 tain from 2 to 4 ppm (parts per million) of uranium. The ura­ square miles (fig. 1). Studies were made of drill sam­ nium content of crude oil peripheral to the gas field ranges from ples, core samples, gas and brine from many parts of the less than 1 to 300 parts per billion. The uranium content of the Panhandle field and from adjoining areas. The most brine is from less than 0.1 to about 10 ppb. detailed investigation, however, was made in a 1,200- The highest concentration of uranium is in the cap rocks which have been estimated to contain between 10 and 20 ppm square-mile area at the western end of the Panhandle through a thickness of about 250 feet. The uranium in these field that includes all of Moore County and parts of rocks is concentrated in asphaltite which contains about 1 per­ Hartley, Oldham, Hutchinson, Porter, and Carson cent uranium. The asphaltite is a metalliferous organic min- Counties. The location and radon content of gas wells eraloid similar to thucholite, carburan, and huminite. It is brit­ in this area are shown on plate 1. Index numbers, tle, highly lustrous, black, combustible at high temperatures, and almost insoluble in organic reagents. The principal organically names, and ownership of the gas wells shown in figure 2 combined elements in the asphaltite are carbon, hydrogen, and are listed in tables 1 and 2. oxygen. The most abundant metallic elements are arsenic, ura­ Investigations by the U.S. Bureau of Mines have nium, nickel, cobalt, and iron. shown that the western part of the Panhandle field con­ X-ray analyses of asphaltite nodules show the presence of tains one of the largest helium reserves in the United uraninite, chloanthite-smaltite, and pyrite. Although uraninite States. The discovery (by the late J. W. Hill, U.S. Geo­ has been identified in some of the nodules, in others the uranium- bearing compound, which may be a metallo-organic complex, is logical Survey) of anomalous concentrations of radon- not known. 222, an intermediate product in the decay of uranium, The asphaltite occurs as botryoidal nodules and is nearly al­ in the gases suggested that a significant fraction of the ways associated with anhydrite and celestite that occur as ce­ helium might have been derived from uranium. Gl SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

COLORADO KANSAS

[ Keyes Fielck^

1 I OKLAHOMA <=>! ah w,MI s HARTLEY fc"£,

OLDHAM

l Areas in which Precambrian rocks are exposed Cliffside Field

TEXAS l-s 50 100 MILES I

FIGTJEE 1. Index map showing location of Panhandle field and adjacent areas. URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G3

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically

Abbreviation Company Cit. Serv.._-__...._... Cities Service Oil Co. C. I.._..______Colorado Interstate Gas Co. Cont.______Continental Oil Co. Gray Co. Prod..._____ Gray County Producing Co. Kermac..__.______Kerr-McGee Oil Industries Inc. Mag.__ ....__..__ Magnolia Petroleum Co. Nat. G.P.A... ______Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America (formerly Texoma Natural Gas Co.) North. Nat______Northern Natural Gas Co. Pan. E.______Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co. Pan. O______Panhandle Oil Co. Pan. Prod __ . _ Panhandle Production Co. Ph.______.___.... Philhps Petroleum Co. R, R.______Red River Oil Co. Sham.... _ _..__ Shamrock Oil & Gas Corp. Sine___...... ___.._ Sinclair Oil Corp. T.I.P.L.______Texas Interstate Pipe Line Co.

[Asterisk (*) indicates well is not shown on map]

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name !_____-_-______Ph. Jover 1 20b______Ph. Laughter 1 la___-_--_----_--__- Ph. Stocking 1 20c______Sham. Perky 1 lb_____-_-_--_--____ Kermac. Zoeber 1 lc______Kermac. Schroeter 1 20d____.______Sham. Johnson C-l ld____-___------__- Kermac. Elgin 1 20e______Sham. Atcheson 1 21______Sham. Robertson E-l le--__--__------___- Kermac. Reeves 1 22______Sham. Robertson C-4 2_._..--__--_._--_-_ Ph. Beraw 1 22a__.-___-______Sham. Breesford 1 3____.--_.---..-_-_. Ph. Witherbee 1 3a___-_-___-___-____ Ph. Zoeber 1 22b______Mag. Thompson 1 3b._..--__---__-___- Sine. Phillips A-1 22c______Sham. Johnson B-l 22d______Sham. Anderson 1 4_.______Sham. Read E-l 23______Sham. Robertson C-2 4a____------__-___- Sham. Miller 1 23a______Sham. Robertson C-l 5_____------__-___- Kermac. Creed 1 5a_.__ .. ___ Ph. Utey 1 24.______Sham. Jones 1 5b_ _-__--_--___-____ Huber Russell; Fuller 1 24a.______Sham. Robertson D-2 6-_._._.__..-_...__. Ph. Cloby 1 25______Ph. Moore '66' 1 7_._ --.---._ . Shell-Sine. Flynn 1 25a_ --__--__-_._____ Sham. Robertson B-4 8_-__.-.-_---_.-___. Shell-Sine. Russell 1 26_-___-__.______Ph. Moore '66' 3 8a._..--__-.-...__.- Ph. Way 1 9._-._--.--..-._.-_. Mag. Miller 1 26a--_------_------Ph. Jones A-3 26b_____---_-.______Ph. Sunray A-2 10.__.-___--______. Sham. Robertson D-3 27------Ph. Purdy 1 11_._.______Shell-Sine. Miller A-1 27a__--_-----______Ph. Jones A-2 1 la______Kermac. Humphries 1 27b___------.______- Ph. Jones A-l 12-___-__--____-___- Shell-Sine. Kraker 1 13______Shell-Sine. Longanbecker 1 28---__-_--_-______Mag. Britian 5 29-_--_-_----___-_-_ Mag. Britian 1 13a__._--__-___.____ Ph. Butler 1 30___._--_-_-______Mag. Britian 2 14______.__._ Ph. Mills 1 31______.__.______Ph. Donaldson 1 15______Shell-Sine. Dash 1 32______Ph. Glass 1 16____.______Ph.-Kermac. Wells 1 17____--______Shell-Sine. Miller 1 33__---_-_-_-____-_- Shell-Sine. Bartlett 1 34______Ph. Kelly 1 17a______Ph. Box 1 35_-_------_-_-_- Ph. Wilson 2 18___..._-.-___.-__. Ph. Pittman 1 36_____--_---_____-_ Kermac. Flynn 1 19--__--______. Ph.-Kermac. McDowell C-l 37_--_------_-_--_- Ph. McDoweU 1 19a. ______Ph.-Kermac. McDowell C-2 19b______Sine. McDowell 1 38--.-.-----.--.---- Ph. EbUng 12 38a-__--_.--.-----_. Ph. Ebling 1 I 19c______Ph. Estate 1 38b------_------Sham. Stewart 10 20______Sham. Robertson C-3 39------Ph. Brumley 1 20a.______Sham. Myers 1 40. __------_------Sham. Brumley 3 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 40a______- ___ _ Sham. Brumley A-l 73______.______Ph. Flynn 1 40b____- _-_ --__ Shell-Sine. Hill 1 74______Shell-Sine. Guleke 1 40c______Sham. Tays 1 75-___--____-_---__- Ph. Powell 1 40d______Sham. Johnson 1 76__----__--_----___ Rubin Carver 327 40e______Sham. Powell C-l 77_------__- Rubin Barnhill 3

41___.______Sham. Brumley-Golf 1 78------__- Rubin Barnhill 28 41a-__--_------_--_- Sham. McKee C-l 79-______Nat. G.P.A. Texas C-l 41b______Sham. Brumley Ryan 1 80______Sham. Pritchard 1 41c ______Shell-Sine. Jones 1 81-__- ______Wittenburg 1 41d__.__ _ _ Sham. Jones A-l 82______-_____ HuberB-4

42______Sham. Jones B-l 83______Huber Henderson 1 43______Sham. Jones C-l 84_____-______-_.___ Ph. Coffee 1 43a.__ __-_ ___-__ Ph. Albert 1 84a___-______Sham. Coffee A-l 44______Kermac. Jones A-l 84b-__--__------____ Sham. Hight 1 44a_ _-_____ -_- -_ Ph. Richard A-l 84c ______Sham. Luckhard 1 45_____-__-_-______Sham. Sharkey 1 84d____-______Ph. Faye 1 46---_-__---_-____ Cont. Brown 1 84e______Sham. Gearhart 1 47-______-_-_-__-___ Mag. Britian 6 85____--__--_----___ Ph. Clark Gable 1 48---_-_------_-___- Mag. Britian 3 86____--____--_--__- Kermac. Burnett 1 49_-__-_-_----______Mag. Britian 4 87---_--_ ------Ph. Texas 1

50______Ph.-Kermac. Donaldson 1 88. __-_------_ Ph. Sunray-Jones 1 51______Shell-Sine. Donaldson A-l 89------Kermac. Avery 1 52______Kermac. Donaldson 1 90-_------Ph. Hub 1 52a______-_-___.__ Cont. Wells 1 91------Shell-Sine. McDowell B-l 53_.______Ph. Guleke 1 Q2------Kermac. McDowell 1 54______Sham. McDowell 1 55______Shell Lucas 1 94_ ___-____------___ Ph. Marguerite Ann 1 56--._-_-_-_-______Ph. Lucas 4 95------Sham. Wilson 1 56a___ __ - __ _ Sham. Logan "A" 96_ ------Mag. Britain 7 56b______Sham. Logan 1 97__ ------Ph. Britain 1 57______Ph. Lucas 1 98------__----_- Cont. Arnis 1 58---______-_____. Sham. Powell 1 99------Ph. Reuter 1 58a______Sham. Burnett 1 100------Cont. Marsh 1 58b______Sham. Burnett et al. 1 101 ___--_-----_-_--- Kermac. Morton 3 58c______Sham. Brumley 2 102__. ------Cont. Meier 1 58d______Sham. Sunset Brumley 1 103__---_ ------Ph. Venable 1 58f______Sham. Alien 1 104___-__-_-----____ Ph. Castleman B-l 58g______Sham. Powell-Magnolia 1 59______Sham. Rubert 1 106___ -_- --- Ph. Spur 1 60______.______Ph. Reeder 1 107_------_-----_- Ph. Ada May 1 60a_ -__-_-_-______Sham. Jones-Ryan 1 108-----__------Wittenburg B-3 61______Ph. Reeder2 109------Huber 1 61a______Ph. Jones 1 110------Huber 12 62______Cont. Jones B-l lll__--_------_- Huber 3 63______Ph. Ozark 1 112__------_----_ Sham. Dore 1 64______Kermac. McDowell 2 112a_ ------Sham. Householder 1 65______Cont. McDowell 1 112b__ - - Sham. J. F. Ward 1 66______Mag. Britian 8 112c. ------Ph. Ward 1 67______Ph. Bush 1 112d ------Ph. Kane 1 68______-______Cont. Bush 1 112e_---_-_------_ Sham. McKeig 1 69-.______Ph. Nunley 1 112f __ ------Sham. Mercer 1 70______Shell-Sine. Donelson B-l 112g_-__-- _ _ Sham. McDade 2 70a______Shell-Sine. Donelson C-l 113___------_------Ph. Claudine 1 71______Ph. Donelson 1 114_ __--__-___---__- Ph. Clarence 1 72______Kermac. A. Donaldson 1 114a____------_ Ph. Marsh 1 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G-5

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically -Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 115__------Cont. Burnett 1 159e-_------_ Sham. Frank Smith 1 116.------Ph. Sturdy 1 159f__-__-____-_-__ Sham. Bates 1 117___------Shell-Sine. Jones 9-1 159g_-._------Sham. Thaten 1 118. ------Kermac. Jones G-l-A 159h-_---_---_------Sham. Van Order 1 119__------~ Cont. Jones A-l 160.------Kermac. Breyfogle 1 120. __-__------_ Kermac. Jacobson 1 161.-----__-_.__-_ Sham. Geary 1 121__------Ph. O. E. McDowell 1 162.____-_----_-____ Sham. Fowlstone 1 122______-_-_--_---_ Sham. Becker 1 163------Sham. Kelly 1 123. ------Sham. Zwack 1 164-__------_-__ Sham. Coffee 1 124. ______-_--__--- Sham. Olsson 1 165------Sham. Mary Smith 1

125. ___-__------Kermac. Wilson A-l 166-__------Kermac. Taylor C-l 126. .._-_____-_-___- Mag. Nelson 1 167___ -_ - Ph. Armi 1 127-.---.------Ph. Nelson 1 167a___--_------Kermac. Taylor A-2 128------Shell-Sine. Wilson 1 168------Ph. Stanhope 1 129-.------Kermac. Morton A-l 169-__----_---_---__ Kermac. Wilbar 3 130. _____--_--_-__-- Kermac. Morton 4 170.------Shell-Sine. Wilbar 1 131------Ph. Castleman A-l 171--_---___-_-_____ Ph. Balfield 1 132------Ph. Spurlock 1 172-__------Huber Owens 1 133------Huber B-l 173------Shell-Sine. Munson 2 134-__------Cont. Spurlock 1 174__.---__------__ (*)

135------Cont. H. W. Carvel- 1 175------Ph. Knapp 1 136__------Cont. H. W. Carver 6 175a__------Ph. Shelton 1 137------Sham. Schlee 1 175b__------__--__ Ph. Dallal 137a--_------Ph. Melvin 1 175c-_------Sham. Dale Smith 1 137b__- - -_ Nat. G. P. A. Dore 1-G 175d..--______-___ Sham. Young 1

137c------_------Ph. Emily Nell 1 175e____-_-__-______Adams Pool 1 137d_---_-_--_------Sham. McDade 1 175f______Adams Love 1 137e-._------Sham. McDade 3 176_._------_- Nat. G.P.A. LaSalle 1 138. ------Kermac. Sullivan 1 177-___ . Nat. G.P.A. Schlee 1 139-__------Kermac. Strunk 1 178------Ph. Ethelyn 1

139a-_-._------Nat. G. P. A. Pythian 1-P 179------Nat. G.P.A. Troutnam 1-SP 140___------_-----_- Sham. Jones 1 180___- _ Nat. G.P.A. Foster 1-S 141-__------Ph. Booker 1 181------Nat. G.P.A. Foster 2-FO 142. __-_-____-_-_--_ Kermac. Jones M-l 182____ -_-- Ph. Hinkle 1 143------Sham. Meinhardt 1 183------Ph. Kell 1 144_. ___--_--__--___ Sham. Cox 1 184___ ------Ph. Lore 1 145_ ------Kermac. Taylor A-l 185-__------Nat. G.P.A. Taylor 1-P 146_ __--___-______- Mag. Herndon 1 186--_------Ph. Dardiff 1 l47_------_-___ --_ Ph. Winn 1 187-__-_-_------Ph. Preston 1 148------(*) 187a._------Ph. Fields 1 149--_----_------Shell-Sine. Lindsey 1 188------Cont. Armstrong 1 150-_---_------__-_ Kermac. Wilbar 2 189______-----_-___- Kermac. Bridges 1 151-__------__ Shell-Sine. Hohman 1 190-_------Cont. Shellberg 1 152. ------___-__--__ Shell-Sine. Catlett 1 191-.------Ph. Twill 1 153--_------_ Ph. Ledlowl 192--_------Pan. Prod. LaSater 1 154____--___-_--_--_ Ph. Kinney 1 193-.------Huber E. Herring 1 193a-__--_------Ph. Daisy 1 194...____--_-_----- Ph. Ray 1 157_____-_-_----____ Cont. W. A. Carver 1 195------Nat. G.P.A. Williams 1-T 158- -_------_--___ Sham. Hatcher-Crosby 1 196_-----_------_-- Ph. Stan 1 169... ______Ph. Vanta 1 197_------Ph. Rorax 1 159a_.------____--_- Ph. O'Hearn 1 198------Nat. G.P.A. Taylor 3-G 159b-___-----_____-- Ph. Ochsner 1 198a--__------Burrus 1 159c--.------_-_--__ Ph. Stigall 1 199------Nat. G.P.A. Taylor 1-G 159d-----.----_-_--_ Ph. Gearhart 1 200------Ph. VentE-1 690-464 O 63 2 G6 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 201.------__ - Sham. Zella 1 243-._------Skelly M.B. Armstrong 12 202_-__---_-_------Ph. Stem 1 244___----__--_-_-__ Ph. Katherine 2 203- ___------___---- Ph. Longmack 1 245__------Huber E. Herring 12 204_-_--_-__------_ Ph. Hagaman 1 246.------Pan. Prod. Herring 3 205. __ _ - - _-___-__ _ -Cont. Armstrong 247._-_------__---__ Pan. Prod. Herring 5 206___-----_------Ph. Malcolm 1 248.------Skelly E. Herring A18 207------Cont. Bricker 1 249__------Ph. Adams Sones 1 208_----_-_------Ph. Bridges 1 249a_ _-_--_---__-__- Ph. Adams Appling 1 209------Ph. Rubin 4 250---_------__----- Ph. Adams Kilgore 1 209a_--_------Ph. Harrington 6 250a_------Ph. Rachel 1 210--_--_--____----- Ph. Lackey 1 251__------Kermap. Arie 1 2H___. ._-_-_.___.__ Skelly M. B. Armstrong 1 252._____----__-___- Kermae. Phillips 1 212--_--___---_-_--- Skelly Armstrong 1 253------Ph. Drury 1 213- _-_-_-_------Gray Co. Prod. Herring 4 254-_._---_-_------Ph. Ellie 1 214__--.___---___--- Gray Co. Prod. Herring 16 255.------Ph. Thaten 1

215-__------_------Adams Nevenheim 1 256--.------Ph. Love 1 215a_._. -_-_----___- Sham. Huff C-l 257.------Ph. Dollie 1 215b------_--_-- Sham. Huff 1 258------Ph. Farbert 1 216-___-_----_-_--__ Kermae. Brady 1 259------Sham. Coffee E-l 217--_----__-_-_--_- Ph. Fullingim 1 260^------Sham. Crump 1

217a______Adams Heck 1 261.-___-----_------Sham. Hastie 1 218_-__-______- _ Ph. Julius 1 262------Ph. Augusta 1 218a__-______Mag. Hardwick 1 2d3------Sham. Ansley 1 219------Ph. Kin 1 264-__------Ph. Alda 1 219a____ -______-- Ph. Hardwick 1 265------Sham. Fuqua 1 219b------_------Sham. Simmons B-l 266. __---_----__---- Sham. Fuqua 3 220-__-_-_-__---____ Sham. Yonque 1 267------Sham. Fuqua 2 220a______-_____- Sham. Schlee A-l 268.------Ph. Coon 1 221--_----_-__------Ph. Stallwitz 1 269------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 28-M 221a._._--_---_-_-__ Sham. Fred Smith 1 270------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 24-M 222. ______Ph. McDade 1 271_------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 22-M 222a_ _-.____--___--_ Kermae. Anderson 1 272___------Nat. G.L.A. Coon 10-M 223-__--_-_-_--_ _ - Sham. Fuqua 4 273------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 12-M 223a. ____---__--_-__ Nat. G.P.A. Powell 1-G 274--.------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 3-M 224. ______Ph. Harrison 1 275-_-_------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 25-M 225-.------_--_____- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 14-M 276------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 30-M 226___-_--_. ______Nat. G.P.A. Coon 13-M 277------Nat. G.P.A. Coon 19-M 227-._------_-_-_--- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 9- M 278------Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 12-M 227a____--___-__ _ - Ph. Taylor 1 279------Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 8-M 228__------_-____ Ph. VentD-1 280------Nat. G.P.A: Taylor 1-H 229--_------_---_-__ Nat. G.P.A. Taylor 2 281 ------Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 6-M 229a_--__-_--____--- Ph. Vent E-2 282__-__-_------Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 4-M 230_ -__-_-______-_-_ Nat. G.P.A. Gober 1-SP 283------Ph. Vent B-l 231-_---______-_-_ Ph. Vent A-l 284-__------Nat. G.P.A. Gober 2-SP 232-__-____-.___._-. Ph. Vent A-2 285.------Nat. G.P.A. Gober 3-SP 233_____-_----___-_- Ph. Matler 1 286------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 12 234--_--__-_-___-___ Ph. Gob 1 287------Sham. Sneed 20 235--_-_-----__-_-__ Sham. Phillips A-l 288------Ph. Vent A-4 236_ -_---______--__- Nat. G.P.A. Lucky Tiger A-l 289------Ph. Gober 1 237______--______Sham. Phillips 1 289a__---_---_------Ph. Priscilla 1 238_--__--______Sham. Underwood B-l 290------Sham. Sneed 21 239------___----____ Ph. Rubin 2 291------Ph. Zella A-l 292_____ --- Nat. G.P.A. Haile 1-M 241____. ______Ph. Rubin 3 293-__------Ph. Zella A-3 242______Barnsdall Harrington 4 293a--_------Ph. Sneed H-l URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 294.______Nat. G.P.A. Haile 2-M 345.._-_----_-____-- Ph. James 4 ' 295_-_------Ph. SneedB-8 346___--__-_--_-.-_- Ph. Byrd2 296--_--_------Sham. Stewart 1 347-__--__-_--__---- Ph. Byrd3 297-..------Ph. Gunter 1 348- ______Huber W. E. Herring 10 298.------Sham. Kempson 1 349-.____..____ Huber-Texas W. E. Herring 1

299-..------Ph. Need 1 350-____---______Huber W. E. Herring 5 300--_------_- Ph. Need 2 351._-_---______Huber W. E. Herring 5 301_-_----_------Rubin Beard 1 352...__-_____..__._ Huber W. E. Herring 12 302_-___-_------Rubin Beard A-l 353.______Ph. Bay 1 302a____------Kermac. Sneed C-l 354-__-----___--__-- Ph. Hollye 1

303____------Skelly M.B. Armstrong 2 355-__-_-_-_____-_-_ Ph. McLaughlin 1 304_ -_-----_------Skelly M.B, Armstrong 14 356-____-_-_-_---___ Ph. Emmett 1 305-__-----_------Ph. Katherine 1 357___---_-_____ Ph. Joanna 1 306------Huber-Texas W.E. Herring 2 358--_-----___----_- Ph. Modine 1 307. ._------Pan. Prod. Herring 7 359__-_____.___ Ph. Althouse 1

308.-_------Huber W.E. Herring 7 360..._----__--_---_ Ph. Collins 1 309--.------Huber Hobbs-AUen 1 361_------_-__--___ Ph. Inez 1 310------.------Skelly-A8 362.._--_-._._._____ Ph. French 1 311_------Adams Disbrow 1 363______--_- Ph. Colson 1 312-..-______-___- Ph. Adams-Ford 1 364-_-----._-______- Ph. Elise 1

313--_---_------_- Bayou Herbert 1 365-._---_-_.____--- Ph. Daught 1 314--_------Bayou Smith 1 366_--_----_-__-__-- Ph. Carver 1 315------_ Ph. Marni 1 367__-_-_____._ Ph. Stencil 1 316___------_-_- Ph. Ola 1 368-..-----______Sham. Brown 3 317____---______Ph. Stockman 1 369..._...______Sham. Brown 2

318___--____------Ph. Clements A-l 370_--______-_-____- Sham. Brown A-2 319--__---_------Kermac. Drucilla 1 371--______-______Sham. Brown 1 320-._--_-----_-____ Sham. Brown A-l 372.______Ph. Ingrid 1 321_.______.__--____ Ph. Sallie 1 373_--___-._-______- Ph. Hurwitz 1 322______Ph. Jameson 1 374_-______--_. Sham. Brown 4

323--__-_-__-_--___- Ph. Champ 1 375______Ph. Finch 1 324-__-_-_-_--____-_ Ph. ColwellB 376____-_-_____-_ Ph. Mass 1 325--..-_--____._-__ PhlColwellC 377____----__-__---- Ph. Weidling 1 326__---_-__--__--__ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 20-M 378--__---___ _ Ph. ColwellA 327-__-___--____---- Nat. G. P.A. Coon 2-M 379--__-----_ _ Ph. Chloe 1 328______Nat. G. P.A. Coon 31-M 380______----- Ph. Japhet 1 329-__------____-_-_ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 1-M 381------.--___.- Ph. Biffle 1 330___---__-__-_---_ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 18-M 382____---._-__--. Ph. Marvin 1 331.-_-_--_--__-_-__ Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 9-M 383--___.--____--. Nat. G.P.A. Beauchamp 1-P 332..._-___-_-_----- Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 1-M 384___--_-._.__-_--_ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 15-M 332a_ __.-_--__---__- Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 5-M 385______Nat. G.P.A. Coon 27-M 333--_-____--_-___-- Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 20 386-__-----____-__ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 5-M 334__._--.-----_-__- Nat. G.P.A Sneed 16-SN 387___.____----- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 29-M 335______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 1 388-_-----_____- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 26-M 336_..__.____-_---._ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 1-P 389______-_ _ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 17-M 337.__.-______-.--- Ph. ZellaA-2 390______Nat. G.P.A. Coon 32-M 338__.______-----___ Ph. ZellaA-4 391______Nat. G.P.A. Coon 21-M 339_-____-__-_-----_ Shell Kelly 1 392_-_-----_--_----- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 6-M 339a__.______Ph. Sneed G-l 393___ -__-_-_ -- Nat. G.P.A. Coon 23-M 340.__.___._-_----.- Pan. Oil Sneed 1 394______.______--- Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 11-M 340a.__....._---___. Ph. Need 3 395--.--___------Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 13-M 341.-..-.....-----__ Pan OilSneed A-4 396______- Nat. G.P.A. Jester 1-T 342_.--.-_._..-_---- Pan. Oil Sneed A-l 397. __-___..._-.--__ Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 7-M 343-.._._.._----.--_ Ph. James 2 398______Ph. Vent C-l 344__-_---_--__-____ Ph. James 1 399___-----______--- Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 10-M G8 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 400.______Nat. G.P.A. Sneedl8-P 450______Ph. Tarris 1 401______.______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 7-P 451-_------_._- Ph. Bri 1 402______.______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 9-SN 452_____.______Ph. Vinson 1 403_-_-__-_--___ Pan. E. Sneed 1-9 453______Kermac. Estate 1 404______Pan. E. Sneed 1-26 454_____.______Ph. Dale 1

405--_------_-___-_ Nat. G.P.A. Brown 2-G 455______----- Ph. Fuqua B-l 406-______..___ Pan. E. Sneed 1 456--___-______-_. Ph. See 1 407______Nat. G.P.A. Brown 3-G 456a__- ______Ph. Arris 1 408______Pan. E. Bennett 1-22 457__. ______Ph. Greiner 1 408a______Ph. ZellaA-5 458-__------Ph. Hibbard 1

409______Pan. E. Sneed 1-3 459_. _ - --- Ph. Drib 1 410______.______Ph. Zella A-6 460____-___-_-_-_-._ Ph. Harbert 1 411______Ph. Sneed B-5 461____-__-_--_- _ _ Ph. Massey 1 412______.______Ph. Sneed B-6 462______--______Ph. Harb 1 412a______Ph. Sneed E-l 463______----- Ph. Blanche 1

413______.______Ph. Sneed B-4 464______Ph. Jennie 1 414______Ph. Zell 2 465------C. I. Bivins A-68 415______Ph. Zell 1 465a______Kermac. Terry A-l 416______Ph. Zell 3 466______----- Ph. Jen 1 416a______- Ph. Zell 4 467____-_------Pan. E. Henneman 1-100

416b______Rowland Humphries 1 468 Pan. E. Purvin 1-69 417______Skelly M. B. Armstrong 11 469_ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 16-M 417a______Ph. Duboise 1 418______Pan. Oil Jameson-Dubois 1 471__- . Nat. G.P.A. Coon 7-M 419______.______Ph. Byrd 1 472______- Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 9-TH

420______Huber Reed 2 473-_---_--_------Ph. BrentS 421______Huber Reed 1 422______Ph. Burnett 1 475______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 6-TH 423______Skelly W. E. Herring 2 476__-_------____ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 4- M 424______Huber W. E. Herring 3 477_- __ --- Pan. E. Brown 1-104

425. ______Huber W. E. Herring 8 478_ __------Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 8-TH 426______Huber W. E. Herring 4 479.-_-_- _ _ __ --_ Nat. G.P.A. Coon 11-M 427______Skelly W. E. Herring 5 480__------__------Pan. E. Brown 1-64 428_--_.-___-_-_____ Skelly W. E. Herring 3 481------Pan. E. Jester 1-18 429______Skelly Yake C-l 482____-______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 2-P 430______Skelly W. E. Herring 1 483 ----_------_- _ _ Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 3-M 431______Huber W. E. Herring 2 484_____-_---._- __ Pan. E. Sneed 1-20 432______Huber Prewitt 2 485__- ______Nat. G.P.A. Coon-Sneed 2-M 433_ ----______Huber-Mag. Herring 1 486______--__-_---_- Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 14-SN 434______Huber-Mag. Herring 4 487___ - Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 8-SN 435______Ph. Constant 1- 488. Ph. Sneed C-9 436______Ph. Petty 1 489. Ph. Sneed C-7 437-.--..______-_ Ph. Bradie 1 490- Pan. E. Sneed 1-24 438______._____ Ph. Temple 1 491. Pan. E. Walker 1-6 439______Ph. Rena 1 492- Pan. E. Sneed 1-25 440______Ph. Leslie 1 493 Nat. G.P.A. Sneed D-2-SP 441______Ph. Eve 1 494_____-_--_--__-_- Pan. E. Walker 1-S 442______Ph. Tooker 1 495__-______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 30-P 443_-____.______Ph. Bissell 1 495a__.--_-_____-_ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 1-P 444______Ph. Dona 1 496___-----_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 29-P 445______Ph. Sunray-Feltz 1 497--- Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 28-P 446______._____ Ph. Teddy 1 498------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 27-P 447______Ph. Josie 1 499_------_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 21-P 448______Ph. Dumas 1 499a____-_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 25-P 449______Ph. Tanner 1 500------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 22-P URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G9

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 500a__-.-_-__.------Ph. Huckaby 1 551______Pan. E. Brown 1-34 501__-_--__-__------Ph. Sneed B-7 552______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed E-l-P 502______Ph. Snow 4 553___-_____-___-_-_ Pan. E. Sneed 1-33 503____-_-_-_--_---_ Ph. Ingerton C-l 554__. ______Pan. E. Brown 1-36 504_.___---____-____ Ph. Cattle 1 555__.______Ph. Sneed A-2

505_-._-_-----__--- Ph. Ingerton B-l 556---______-_____ Ph. Sneed A-l 506..______Ph. Ingerton A-2 557_-_-----_--______Pan. E. Sneed 1-37 507_.._---_--_-_--__ Skelly Yake A-l 558_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 17-SN 508------___ Skelly Yake D-l 559______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 6-P 509-_----__--___-_ SkeUy Yake B-l 560______-___.---_-_ Pan. E. Sneed 1-23-6T

510-.------Ph. Queen 1 561_.______-___ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 23-P 511__-_------_-- Ph. Ina 4 562-______-__.-- Ph. Sneed C-4 512_.______Ph. Ina 2 563_-______-_ Ph. Sneed C-ll 513----__._-_____. Ph. Terry 1 564______Ph. Sneed C-5 513a_-_--___-______C.I. Bivins A-76 565______.__ Pan. E. Sneed 1-28

514.._- ___.___.____ Ph. Ina 3 566-_-__-_____-_____ Ph. Sneed C-8 515______Ph. Ina 1 567___---_-__-__---_ C.I. Sneed D-l 516_-__--_-_-___ Ph. Ploner 1 568___ -_ Pan. E. Sneed 1-27 517---_-_------___ Ph. Bissell 2 568a______Kermac. Sneed B-2 518----_---_------Ph. Balfour 5 569___---_------_-_ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 13-P

519_-_---______-_ Ph. Balfour 6 570______.-__ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 5-P 520_-.__---__--_____ Ph. Balfour 4 57l___--______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 24-P 521______.Ph. Ames 1 572_____-__-__--____ Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 19-SN 522-___-______.____ Ph. Dudley A-l 573--______Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 10-P 523______Ph. Viola 1 574______. Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 26-P

524.______Ph. Messenger 1 574a__..____--______Ph. Sneed F-l 525___-____._-______Ph. Klatt 1 575______Ph. Polly 1 526___.-______.___ Ph. Amelia 1 575a---_-_------__- Ph. Latin 1 527__-____._-____.__ Ph. Barre 1 576_.______Ph. Snow 6 528--_----_-_--_-___ Sham. Brian 1 577______Ph. Record 1

529__.__-_.______Ph. McFarlin 1 577a--__-----_-----_ Ph. Snow 3 530.-__--______-____ Ph. Worsley 1 577b______._____ Ph. Snow 5 531-_-_.____._____ Ph. Lantz 1 577c.______.____ Ph. Snow 2 531a._-_____._._._ Sham. Finley 1 578______--_ - Ph. Wild Bill 1 531b______Kermac. Bergeson 1 579______----__-_ Ph. Snow 1 532. ______Sham. Davidson 1 580___-_------___ Ph. Williams 1 533_--______. Ph. Elbert 1 581_____--_------___ Ph. Evelyn 1 534___-___.______Nat. G.P.A. Moore 3-P 582______.______Ph. Ingerton A-l 535-______..______-- Nat. G.P.A. Moore 2-M 583_.______Ph. Jay 1 536-_----______- Pan. E. Kilgore 1-56 584_.______Skelly Merchant 1 537_._-__-_-__....__ Sham. Kilgore 1-28 585. ______Henderson Merchant 4 538--__--__-_____.._ Pan. E. Kilgore 1-29 585a______------Ph. Merchant 2 539..______Pan. E. Kilgore 1-57 586______Henderson Merchant 1 540-__-_.______C.I. Thompson B-4 587______Ph. Yake 2 540a.-_.______Kermac. Terry B-l 588____-__--_-_---_- C.I. Bivins A-72 541______.______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 7-TH 588a--____-_--___-__ C.I. Bivins A-90 542______C.I. Thompson B-5 588b___-__-__-_--- Ph. Bivins 1-GG 543______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 3-TH 588c______Kermac. Berneta 4 544______Pan. E. Thompson 1-25 588d______Kermac. Berneta 1 545______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 1-P 588e. ______Kermac. Berneta 2 546__.______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 4 588f ______Kermac. Berneta 3 547______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 2-TH 588g______- C.I. Bivins A-93 548---_-_-.__.______Ph. Brent 1 589______-___ C.I. Bivins A-63 549______Pan. E. Thompson 1-63 589a_____-_-_--_---_ C.I. Bivins A-71 550___.___.-______-_ Pan. E. Brown 1-22 589b___-_-_-____-_-_ C.I. Bivins A-9 aio SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 590_.____-_-______C.I. Bivins A-64 640------Pan. E. Sneed 1-48 591--.------C.I. Bivins A-56 641_------_------C.I. Sneed A-3 592__-______-___-__ Ph. Balfour 1-286-F 642___--.-__.------Ph. Sneed C-3 593______-__-___ Ph. Gordon 1 643---_---__------C.I. Sneed A-2 594. Ph. Balfour 8 644------C.I. Sneed C-l 594a______._ Ph. Balfour 7 645------Pan. E. Zoffness 1-55 595.. Ph. Balfour 1-294-F 646------Pan. E. Sneed 1-45 595a. C.I. Bivins A-62 647--.------Pan. E. Sneed 1-44 596.. Ph. Balfour 3 648.------C.I. Read A-3 597.. Ph. Dudley B-l 649------Pan. E. Sneed 1-43

598. Ph. Dudley C-l 650------C.I. Read A-l 599- C.I. Bivins A-61 651.------Ph. Sneed B-l 600. Kermac. Helt 286-G 652___-----_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 11-SN 601. Ph. Dudley D-l 653-__-----_------C.I. Masterson A-7 602. Ph. Pink St. 654__-- _ - Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 15-SN

603.______Ph. McFarlin 2 655_-_------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 3-P 604______.______Rubin Brown 2 656------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 2-P 605-___-_-___-___-_- Ph. Ezelle 1 657-__------Nat. G.P.A. Sneed 4-P 606. ------Fowlton-Coke 1 657a___------Ph. Sneed B-3 607______-______Ph. Victor 1 658-_--_------Ph. Sneed B-2 608__.______C. I. Kilgore A-10 658a-_-----_------Ph. Sneed J-l 609..______Nat. G.P.A. Kilgore 5-P 659------C.I. Bivins A-65 610--_---__-_--__--- Pan. E. Kilgore 1-10 659a--__----_------C.I. Bivins A-94 610a______C.I. Kilgore A-13 659b--_------C.I. Bivins A-ll 611_._-______-______C.I. Kilgore A-5 660------Ph. Balfour 2

612______C.I. Kilgore A-6 661------C.I. Bivins A-58 613. ______C.I. Kilgore A-12 662-.------C.I. Bivins A-8 614______Nat. G.P.A. Kilgore 3-G 663--__------C.I. Bivins A-22 615-._--_-___-_ .__ Nat. G.P.A. Moore 1-P 664_--_-----_------C.I. Bivins A-34 616--___-______- C.I. Kilgore A-2 66i4a___----_------C.I. Bivins A-59 617-____.______Pan E. Massay 1-15 665. ._____-___--- (*) 618______Nat. G.P.A. Walters 1-PAR 666. .-_.__-_----_ C.I. Bivins A-60 619______Nat. G.P.A. Kilgore 2-G 667__----__------Ph. Helton 1 620-__--_____-__.-__ Pan. E. Kilgore 1-16 668__--_------__- Rubin Brown 3 621______Nat. G.P.A. Kilgore 4-G 669. Ph. Gasser 1 622.______Nat. G.P.A. Haas 1 670. _____------__--- Rubin Brown 4 623. ______C.I. Thompson B-2 671 -___-----_---__-- Rubin Brown 1 624. ----______.__ Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 11-TH 672___-__------_-_- Rubin Brown 5 625--____.______C.I. Thompson B-8 673_---_------Rubin Brown 6-B 626_ -_---______.__ Pan. E. Nield 1-18 674_ __------_----- Sham. Rubin-Brown 5-B 627--___.______Ph. Nield D-l 675--_-_------Ph. India 1 628______C.I. Thompson B-6 676------Nat. G.P.A. Kilgore 6-P 629______C.I. Thompson A-2 677-_-----_------Pan. E. Kilgore 1-8 630--_--_____.______Ph. Brent 2 678_--_------_----- C.I. Kilgore A-4 631______C.I. Thompson A-l 679------C.I. Kilgore A-l 632_.______Nat. G.P.A. Thompson 5 680------C.I. Kilgore A-3 633:._.______C.I. Thompson A-3 681------Nat. G.P.A. Johnson 1-P 633a______Nat. C.P. A. Thompson 10 682--_---_--_------C.I. Luberstadt A-l 634. ______C.I. Thompson A-4 682a---_---_------Nat. G.P.A. Haas 2 635______Pan. E. Sneed 1-50 682b_------C.I. Thompson B-10 636_-__---_____.____ Ph. Sneed G-2 683_-_------C.I. Thompson B-l 637..__--_--______- C.I. Sneed A-l 684.------C.I. Thompson A-5 637a..______C.I. Sneed A-4 685. __-__--_------C.I. Thompson A-6 638..______Ph. Sneed C-10 686------C.I. Sneed A-7 639__.______Ph. Sneed C-6 688--.------C.I. Sneed A-8 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS Gil

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 689.-.------C.I. Sneed B-l 732a_. __----_-_--_-_ C.I. Thompson C-l 690__------C.I. Sneed B-2 733_--_------C.I. Masterson A-14 690a______C.I. Sneed B-4 734____-_---_-___--- C.I. Masterson A-6 691------Pan. E. Zoffness 2-55 735__------C.I. Masterson A-15 692___------__------Ph. Sneed C-l 736--__------__- C.I. Masterson A-22 693_---_------C.I. Read A-2 737__-_-____---_-__. C.I. Masterson A-l 6 694___-_-__-----_-_- C.I. Read A-5 738----_--_-__-_-_-. C.I. Sneed A-5 695.------C.I. Masterson A-10 739______-___ C.I. Masterson G-3 696__------C.I. FeeA-1 697__------R.R. Shelton A-3 741______Pan. E. Sneed 1-6 698------R.R. Shelton A-5 741a_ -___--_-_-_--__ C.I. Masterson A-18 699------R.R. Shelton A-6 742______-.______C.I. Sneed A-6 699a.--_----_------Nat. G.P.A. Lea 1 743-.. ______C.I. Sneed B-3 700------R.R. Shelton A-7 744__.______C.I. Masterson M-3 701------T.I.P.L. Bivins 1-633 745. -______-__---._ C.I. Masterson M-l 702_------_-__--- C.I. Bivins B-2 746___. ______C.I. Masterson M-2 702a_.._--_----_---_ C.I. Bivins B-5 747_--______-_____-_ C.I. Read A-4 703------C.I. Bivins A-10 748.. ______-. C.I. Masterson A-21 703a___.______C.I. Bivins A-97 749-____-______Pan. E. Masterson 1-38 703b._------C.I. Bivins A-lll 749a_. ______-_-- C.I. Masterson B-30 703c---_-----_------C.I. Bivins A-78 750--.___--_-_-----_ C.I. Masterson B-18 703d.__ __-__ C.I. Bivins A-77 751_-__-______C.I. Masterson B-15 703e__-_----_------C.I. Bivins A-89 752_-______C.I. Read A-6 703f _ - _-_-_--___-- C.I. Bivins A-83 753_-_-____--___.___ C.I. Masterson A-20 704------.-- C.I. Bivins A-7 754______-______C.I. Masterson A-4 70S.-- --__- __ C.I. Bivins A-66 755____. -.-___-_.-_- C.I. Masterson A-17 706-__------_------Rubin Brown 7-B 756______--_----_ C.I. Masterson A- 12 707_.______C.I. Bivins A-17 757----. __ . __ .-_ C.I. Masterson B-2 707a-_-_------C.I. Bivins A-82 758_---__--_-_-_--_- C.I. Masterson A-3 708--_-----__-_--_-- C.I Bivins A-67 759--______C.I. Masterson A-l 709.------C.I. Bivins A-6 760-______--__ C.I. Masterson A-ll 710------C.I. Bivins A-55 761____-- _-_ ---_ C.I. Masterson A-2 711--.------C.I. Bivine A-15 762_-. ______---. C.I. Masterson B-l 712__.______C.I. Kilgore A-7 763_ __-.______--__-_ C.I. Bivins A-29 713__.----_-_____ C.I. Kilgore A-8 764_____-___ _ _-_-- C.I. Bivins J-l 714..______C.I. Kilgore A-9 765----.------R.R. Shelton A-2 714a.____-_-_.______Burnett & Smith Kane 1 766-.. ______--__---_ R.R. Shelton A-l 715____-______C.I. Bivins A-54 767___-_-___-. ------R.R. Shelton A-4 716_-----______C.I. Baker A-l 768____--___------C.I. Warrick A-3 717_-_____.------C.I. Bivins A-37 769-_-__-_------C.I. Bivins H-l 718------_-__--._ C.I. Cooper A-l 770-______-__------C.I. Bivins G-l 719------C.I. Kilgore A-ll 771--_------__ --. North Nat. Bivins 1 720_-_-_--___--_____ C.I. Kilgore B-l 772-. ____-______-_-- C.I. Bivins 1-1 721______C.I. Bivins A-24 773__ C.I. Warrick A-2 722__--_-______C.I. SeayA-1 774_____ - _- T.I.P.L. Bost 1 723---_----__-___ C.I. Crawford C-l 775-_--_-_- __ ----- R.R. Bivins Est. 1 724___-______C.I. Bivins A-52 776_-_ _ __-_-__-_-- C.I. Bivins B-6 725--_---______C.I. Crawford A-l 777__ _-- - C.I. Bost A-l 726_-______C.I. Bivins A-21 777a_ ------C.I. Dunnaway A-l 727--.______C.I. Crawford A-2 777b-____--_------C.I. Dunnaway A-2 728--_-______C.I. Masterson A-5 778---.------C.I. Bivins F-l 729- ---_--____-_____ C.I. Thompson B-3 779-_-__-_------C.I. Bivins B-4 730_-_-----______C.I. Thompson B-9 780------C.I. Bivins B-l 731 ______C.I. Masterson J-l 781------C.L Bost C-l 732--__.___.___..__. C.I. Thompson B-7 781a__ -----_-- (*) G12 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 1. 'Wells shown in plate 1, listed numerically -Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company (md name 781b__._.____ C.I. Dunnaway B-l 810______. C.I. Masterson B-12 781c_.______.__ C.I. Bost B-l 811__ ___ -__- _ -_ C.I. Masterson B-ll 782__.______C.I. Johnson A-l 812. __-_-_-_-__---_- T.I.P.L. McBride 100 782a.------Nat. G.P.A. Johnson 1 813. _____--_------C.I. Bivins A-45 783______-_ C.I. Bivins A-36

783a_-_------____ C.I. Bivins A-92 814. .____-_._-.._._. C.I. Bivins A-42 783b-__.--_-_--_---_ C.I. Bivins A-91 815.------C.I. Bivins A-44 783c.__ ------C.I. Bivins A-98 816. ___-_-- __ _ __ C.I. Allison A-l 783d-_-_----_-_--_-_ C.I. Bivins A-109 817_____ C.I. Warrick A-l 783e.___-__-___-_--_ C.I. Bivins A-26 817a__- ___ ------C.I. Warrick A-4

783f______-. C.I. Bivins A-106 818__ _-_ C.I. Bivins A-39 783g_-__-_-___.-_ C.I. Bivins A-104 819-_--_-____-__---- R.R. Bivins A-l 783h---_---.-__-__ C.I. Bivins A-103 819a----_- _ - ___ C.I. Bivins B-3 783L--__-_____-_--_ C.I. Bivins A-99 820-______------Navajo Poling 2 783]...______C.I. Bivins A-100 820a_------Navajo Poling 1

784.-______C.I. Bivins A-35 821-_-_-_.___-_----- C.I. Poling A-l 785_-___---_-_-_-_-_ C.I. Bivins A-33 821a__---_------_ C.I. Bost C-2 785a---_------__ C.I. Bivins A-101 822_____-__-__-_-_-- C.I. Bost D-l 785b___-__.____ C.I. Bivins A-102 823______- (*) 785c______C.I. Bivins A-105

785d__-__--_.__.__._ C.I. Bivins A-95 825-.------C.I. Bivins A-50 786._.._-_-______- C.I. Bivins A-5 825a_----__------C.I. Bivins A-88 787-_-_-____-__-__-_ C.I. Bivins A-14 8256_--_------C.I. Bivins A-107 788__--__--_-__-__-_ C.I. Bivins E-l 825c_. ------C.I. Bivins A-108 789_-______C.I. Bivins A-48 825d-----__-_------C.I. Bivins A-129

790.___-_-_____ C.I. Bivins A-4 826_--_--_------C.I. Bivins A-38 791----_---______C.I. Bivins A-32 827_-- ______C.I. Bivins A-70 792_____-_-______C.I. Bivins A-31 827a-_- ______---- C.I. Bivins A-96 793_--__-_-_--____ C.I. Bivins A-2 828. ______-__------C.I. Masterson A-19 793a__------__. C.I. Bivins A-27 829-_ -____-----_---- C.I. Crawford D-2

794._..__...______-_ C.I. Bivins A-43 830-_- _ ------C.I. Crawford B-2 795______-__.__ C.I. Bivins A-25 831__------C.I. Masterson G-4 796..___-_---______- C.I. Coughlin A-l 832__-___-___------C.I. Masterson B-61 797_____-_____ C.I. Masterson A-13 833--_------_------C.I. Masterson E-2 798--_-_---____-__-_ C.I. Crawford B-l 834_ _-______----___ C.I. Masterson C-l 799-___.-_....___-__ C.I. Masterson B-l7 835-__------C.I. Masterson C-3 799a__-_-_-__._..-_- C.I. Masterson B-21 835a_ ____-_------C.I. Masterson B-4 800_-_-_-___-_-____. C.I. Masterson B-16 836_ _-__-__--_------C.I. Masterson J-2 800a______C.I. Masterson B-22 837- ______-_------C.I. Masterson B-5 800b__.______C.I. Masterson B-7 837a_-_-----_------C.I. Masterson B-42 800c______.__ C.I. Masterson B-45 838------C.I. Masterson B-14 800d_..--..___.-_--- C.I. Masterson B-40 839--__ _ -- _ ----- T.I.P.L. McBride 1 801____._--_____.__- C.I. Masterson K-l 840_-_---- ___ ----- Pan. E. McBride 1 801a.___..__--_--___ C.I. Masterson G-5 841------T.I.P.L. Rockwell 1 802._..-..---_--_-__ C.I. Masterson B-8 842------C.I. Bivins A-47 803___._-______C.I. Masterson B-10 843 ------C.I. Bivins D-3 804__._-.__--__.-_ C.I. Masterson B-9 843a-___------C.I. Bivins A-46 804a----__-____ C.I. Masterson B-41 844_-_-__------C.I. Bivins A-40 804b__-.-__..__--___ T.I.P.L. Masterson 1-606 845 (*) 805_---______C.I. Masterson B-l9 846 C.I. Bivins A-16 805a-___-__--______- C.I. Masterson A-9 847-__-_--_------R.R. Bivins B-l 806_ .___-..__--_---_ T.I.P.L. Masterson 1-587 848------R.R. Bivins A-7-728 807---..-___.-__.__- C.I. Masterson B-20 849--_-_------_ R.R. Bivins A-2 808_-_-___-_._.-__-- C.I. Masterson B-13 850- __----__------R.R. Bivins A-3 809_---._.-____--_-- C.I. Masterson B-3 851------R.R. Bivins A-4 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G13

TABLE 1. Wells shown on plate 1, listed numerically Continued

Map No. Company and name Map No. Company and name 852___-___---_-__.__ R.R. Poling 3 878--_--_____----- Cit. Serv. Poling 1 853------R.R. Poling 4 879-__-__-_------R.R. Deahl B-l 853a-___-_._-_____ R.R. Deahl A-l 853b_.__-_-_-___-___ R.R. Bennett A-l 880. R.R. Deahl B-2 854...-___-_--.--___ (*) 881. (*) 882. (*) 855. (*) 883. (*) 856. (*) 857. (*) 884..__-___-_____-__ (*) 858. C.I. Sanford A-3 885__-______----_ (*) 858a__------_-_ C.I. Sanford A-4 886_-______----__--_ C.I. Masterson G-2 886a_-_.__--__--__-_ C.I. Masterson B-39 858b. C.I. Sanford A-5 887_--______-_-_- C.I. Masterson H-l 859_. C.I. Sanford A-l 860.. C.I.Bivins A-69 887a. C.I Masterson B-36 860a- C.I. Bivins A-13 888_. C.I Masterson 1-1 860b_ C.I. Bivins A-l 10 888a. C.I Masterson B-35 889_. (*) 860c_ ___--_-.-____.. C.I. Masterson A-23 C.I. Masterson B-6 860d.___--__._____ C.I. Masterson J-4 890a___---_ __ C.I. Masterson B-33 860e_--_---__----__- C.I. Bivins A-128 891______------C.I. Masterson F-l 860f _ - ---______._ C.I. Masterson A-25 891a__ --__- _-- C.I. Masterson B-34 861.__ -___ ._ C.I. Bradley A-l 892_____-___-_------C.I. Masterson L-l 861a. C.I. Masterson J-3 893------C.I. Masterson N-l 862 _. C.I. Crawford D-l C.I. Masterson B-31 862a. C.I. Masterson B-44 C.I. Masterson B-32 862b. C.I. Masterson J-5 C.I. Masterson B-37 862c__.______C.I. Masterson A-24 894. C.I. Masterson B-28 C.I. Masterson B-29 862d.._...__.._..___ White and Parks 863------_--___._ C.I. Masterson D-4 895a______------C.I. Masterson B-55 863a_ _-----______. C.I. Masterson B-38 896--_--_-_-_ ----- C.I. Masterson B-27 864_._.-.__.._.___._ C.I. Masterson B-24 897-_.______----- C.I. Masterson B-26 865___-______C.I. Masterson B-23 898------_----- C.I. Bivins C-l 899------C.I. Bivins A-53 866.______C.I. Masterson B-25 867.----_-_-_.______T.I.P.L. Bivins 1-540 C.I, Bivins A-74 868-__-----______C.I. Bivins A-49 901 C.I, Bivins A-79 869___----_-_-_____- C.I. Bivins C-4 C.I, Bivirs A-80 870______C.I. Bivins A-51 C.I, Bivins A-84 C.I. Bivins A-85 871. C.I. Bivins A-18 872. C.I. Bivins A-41 902c C.I. Bivins A-87 873- C.I. Bivins A-3 C.I. Bivins A-81 874. C.I. Bivins A-19 C.I. Bivins A-86 875_.______C.I. Bivins A-20 C.I. Bivins A-23 905 C.I. Bivins A-57 875a-__-______R.R. Bivins A-7 876___.______R.R. Bivins A-6 905a__--__-_------C.I. Bivins A-73 877____--______R.R. Bivins A-5 -____-_---_--- C.I. Bivins A-75

690-464 O &3 G14 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 2. Wells shown cm plate I , listed alphabetically by co mpany TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate 1 , listed alphabetically by company and name and name Continued Number Number Number Number Company and well (pl. 1) Company and well (Pi 1) Company and well (pl. 1} Company and well (pl. 1) Adams, K. S., Jr., Co.: Colorado Interstate Gas Colorado Interstate Gas Colorado Interstate Gas Disbrow 1______311 Co. Continued Co. Continued Co. Continued Heck 1______217a Bivins Continued B ivins Continued Kilgore Continued A-12___.-_- 613 Love 1______175f A 4.fi 843a A-103__ _- 783h A-13__ 610a 215 A A *7 842 A-104______783g B-l------720 Pool !______175e A 4.S 789 A-105__----_ 785c 868 A-106- 783f Luberstadt A- !___._ 682 Barnsdall Oil Co.: Masterson A-l_ _ __ 759 242 A cn 825 A-107___ 825b 870 A-108------825c A-2___.__ 761 Bayou Gas Co.: A-3-_ _ 758 A-52-_--_._- 724 A-109. ------783d Herbert 1______313 A-4_____. 754 314 A C *1 899 A-110- - 860b Smith 1__ _ _. _____ A- 5 728 Burnett & Smith Co.: A-54____-__- 715 A-lll_____- 703b A ce 710 A-128-- _-- 860e A-6__._ 734 Kane !______714a A-7______653 Cities Service Co.: A_ Cfi 591 A- 129 ----- 825d A V7 905 B-l__ _ 780 A-9._____ 805a Poling !______878 A-10 695 A CO 661 B-2. __-_---- 702 Colorado Interstate Gas A-ll 760 A CQ 664a B-3___ 819a Co.: A-12 756 816 A-60------666 B-4______779 A fii 599 B-5 ------702a A-13_____ 797 716 A-14_____ 733 A fi9 595a B-6-___~ 776 793 A-15_____ 735 A 1. A AQ 589 C-l ------898 2\ »}______873 A-16 __ 737 A 4. A~fi4 590 G-4____-__- 869 790 A-17_____ 755 A ^ A-65__------659 D-3___ 843 786 A-18--- 741a A-66__------705 E-l ------788 709 A-19_____ 828 A 7 A fi7 708 F-l ------778 704 A-20 -- 753 A Q A-68- - 465 G-l___----_- 770 662 A-21__ 748 A Q A fiQ 860 H-l______._ 769 589b A-22 __ 736 A 7n 827 1-1 -.--_- 772 1U______703 A-23 __ 860c A 1 1 A 71 589a J-l______764 2\ li.______659a A-24_____ 862c A 11 A 79 588 Bost A-l_ ------777 2\ 1O______860a A-25---_ 860f A-73- ---_ 905a B-l__.___ - 781c A-14-___.___ 787 B-l 762 A-15___--._- 711 A-74-- 900 C-l ------781 C-2______-~_ 821a B-2 _-_-- 757 A-16 __ _.__ 846 A-75 __ 905b u o ono A-76- - 513a D-l ______822 A-17______707 B-4 __ 835a A-77 703d Bradley A-l_ _ 861 A-18 __ 871 B-5 _ 837 A-78___ 703c Cooper A-l______718 A-19______874 B-6 _--_ 890 A-20 875 A-79____.-_. 901 Coughlin A-l___ _ 796 Crawford A-l___-_- 725 B-7 _-- 800b A-21______726 A-80- _. 902 Bo sno A-81- _- 903 A-2 727 A-22______. 663 B-9 -. 804 A-82______. 707a B-l __ 798 A-23-._____. 904 B-10-_-_ 803 94. A-83_____-_. 703f B-2 _-_ 830 A 721 B-ll---- 811 OK 902a C-l------723 A 795 A-84______. B-12____ 810 9fi A-85___ _. 902b D-l__ _ . 862 A 783e B-13---- 808 97 903a D-2 --__ 829 A 793a A-86------B-14____ 838 9Q 902c Dunnaway A-l _ _ 777a A 763 A-87______. B-15 __ 751 A 11 A-88__ -. 825a A-2._-_ 777b 792 B-16___- 800 00 703e B-l_-___ 781b A 791 A-89___ __. B-17____ 799 qq nn 588a Fee A-l___._------696 A 785 A B-l 8-__- 750 A Id. A-91 783b Johnson A-l _____ 782 664 B-19____ 805 qe QO . 783a Kilgore A-l ______679 A 784 A B-20___- 807 OR 7QQ no A-2_____ 616 A A . 588g B-21___- 799a A *V7 . 717 659a A-3_ __-- 680 A-94______B-22_ _ _ _ 800a OO COA . 785d A-4-_------678 A A-95------B-23_-_- 865 QQ 01 0 A-96__ ___ 827a A-5____-__ 611 A B-24_ _ _ _ 864 -4.fi Q7 . 703a A-6_- ~- 612 A 844 A B-25- _ - _ 866 070 A Q8 783c A-7____-__ 712 A 41______B-26_ _ _ _ 897 A 4.O . 814 QQ 783i A-8-.__ - 713 A B-27____ 896 AQ 7Q4. A-100- . 783J A-9_.__ - 714 A B-28- __ 894 01 C _ 785a A-10------608 A 44____.__ A-101------B-29____ 895 A-45._ _ ._ 813 A-102------_ 785b A-ll. _..._-- 719 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS

TABLE 2. Wells shown m plate 1, listed alphabetically by co mpany TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate 1, listed alphabetically by co mpany an i name- -Continued and name- -Continued

Number Number Number Number Company and well (pl. 1) Company and well (pl. 1) Company and well (Pl D Company and, well (pl. 1) Colorado Interstate Gas Colorado Interstate Gas Henderson, E. C., Co.: Kerr-McGee Oil Indus­ Co. Continued Co. Continued 586 tries, Inc. Con. Masterson Con . Sneed Continued 585 Jones Continued B-30-___ 749a 742 Huber Corp.: G-1-A______- 118 B-31 ___ 893a A-7 686 109 McDowell 1 ______92 B-32____ 893b A- 8 688 3 -_ -_--______111 64 B-33____ 890a B-l 689 110 Morton 2 ______129 B-34_ __ 891a B-2 690 B-l 133 3 101 B-35- __ 888a B-3 743 B-4 82 4______130 B-36 ___ 887a B-4______690a 83 Phillips 1______252 B-37____ 893c C-l-_-_ __ 644 193 Reeves 1_ le B-38-___ 863a C-3---- _- 642 19 245 Schroeter 1_ Ic B-39____ 886a 567 Herring, W. E., 2 _ 431 Sneed B-2 __ --_-_ 568a B-40_-__ 800d 631 3__- 424 302a B-41- __ 804a A-2 __ __ 629 426 Strunk 1 139 B-42 __ 837a 633 5 350 Sullivan 1 _ 138 B-44_ __ 862a A-4 634 351 Taylor A-l ______145 B-45 __ _ 800c A-5 684 308 167a B-55____ 895a A-6 685 425 C-l 166 832 B-l 683 348 Terry A-l ______465a 834 B-2_ __ _ 623 352 540a C-3 835 729 Hobbs- Alien !______309 Wilbar 2______150 D-4 863 B-4 540 Huber-Mag. 3_ 169 E-2 833 B-5 542 433 Wilson A-l______125 F-l 891 B-6 628 434 Zoeber 1 _ _ _ _ Ib G-2 886 B-7 732 Huber Russell Magnolia Petroleum Co G-3 739 B-8 625 Fuller !______5b Britian 1_ 29 G-4 831 R-Q 730 Huber-Texas W. E.: 2. ------30 G-5_ _ 801a 682b TTprrino1 1 349 3 48 887 C-l 732a O 306 4 49 1-1 888 817 172 5 28 J-l______731 A 2_____.__ 773 Prewitt 2______432 6 47 836 768 Reed 1______421 7 96 J-3 861a A-4 817a 9 420 8 66 J-4 860d Continental Oil Co.: Kerr-McGee Oil Indus­ Hardwich 1 ____ 218a J-5 862b 205 tries, Inc.: Herndon 1__ __ 146 K-l 801 188 222a Miller l______-_- 9 Lr-1 892 Amis 1 ____ 98 251 Nelson 1_ 126 ]VI 1 745 Bricker 1__ ___ 207 A very 1 89 Thompson 1. 22b jyr _ o 746 Brown 1 _ 46 531b Natural Gas Pipeline M-3-. 744 Burnett 1 ______115 Brady 1 ______-_ 216 Co. of America: N-l 893 Bush !______68 588d Beauchamp 1-P ____ 383 Poling A-l______821 Carver, H. W., !____ 135 9 588e Brown 2-G ______405 Read A-l ______650 136 q 588f 3-G.__--_--_ 407 693 Carver, W. A., !____ 157 4 -. ______588c Coon 1-M ______-- 329 A-3 648 119 160 327 A-4 747 62 189 3-M 274 A-5 694 McDowell 1 _ _ 65 86 4-M. _____ 476 A-6 752 100 Creed 1______5 386 6-M Sanford A-l _ __ _ 859 Meier 1 102 Donaldson, A., !____ 72 392 7-M 471 858 Shellberg 1 ______190 Donaldson 1 ____ _ 52 A-4 Drucilla 1_ _ _ 319 9-M 227 858a k?jJ U.I ILJUlv 1. 134 A ^ Elgin 1 ______Id 10-M __ . __ 272 858b TV ciio j. __ 52a Estate 1 _ _ __ 453 11-M 479 Seay A-l 722 Fowlton Co.: Flynn !______-_ 36 12-M 273 Sneed A-l 637 Coke 1 606 13 M______226 A-2 Kelt 286-G______600 643 Gray County Produc­ lla 14-M __ ___ .- 225 A-3 641 ing Co.: 120 384 A-4 637a Herring 4 ____ 213 44 16-M 469 A-5 738 214 142 17-M 389 O16 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate j i, listed alphabetically by co mpany TABLE 2. Wells shown o n plate 1 , listed alphabetically by co mpany and name--Continued anc', name -Continued

Number Number Number Number Company and well (pi. 1) Company and weU (Pi. 1) Company and well (Pi. -) Company and well (Pi. 1) Natural Gas Pipeline Co. Natural Gas Pipeline Co Navajo Co.: Panhandle Production of America Con. of America Con. Poling 1 __ ------820a Co . Continued Coon Continued Sneed 1-P T&NO 2. ______820 Herring Continued 18-M_.______330 Survey _ 336 Northern Natural Gas 7______307 19-M______277 1-P Jones Co.: LaSater 1 _ _ _ _ 192 20-M______326 Survey 495a Bivins 1 __ 771 Phillips- Kerr-McGee 21-M______391 2-P D&P Panhandle Eastern Pipe Co.: 22-M_.______271 SITPVPV 656 Line Co.: Donaldson 1______50 23-M______393 2-P G&M Bennett l-22__---_- 408 McDowell C-l_ __ 19 24-M______. 270 Survey 482 Brown l-22______550 C-2 _ 19a 25-M______. 275 3-P_-______655 l-34_--_-__- 551 Wells l___-______-_ 16 26-M_____.__- 388 4-P______.._ 657 1-36----.--- 554 Phillips Petroleum Co.: 27-M______385 5-P______570 l-64-__--__- 480 Ada May 1 ___ 107 28-M______._. 269 6-P______- 559 1-104______477 Adams, K. S., Jr.: 29-M______387 7-P____. .__ 401 Hanneman 1-100 __ 467 Appling 1_ ___ _ 249a 30-M_____._.- 276 8-SN.______487 Jester 1-18. ______481 Ford 1 ______312 31-M______328 Q-SN 402 Kilgore 1-8. ______677 Kilgore 1 _ 250 32-M______390 10-P___.____ 573 1-10 ---- 610 Sones 1 ______. 249 Coon-Sneed 1-M.. _ 332 ll-SN__-__-_ 652 1-16 _____ 620 Albert 1- ______43a 2-M____ 485 12____---____ 286 1-29 ____ 538 Aldal____-___--_-_ 264 3-M____ 483 13-P-. ------569 1-56 ---- 536 Althouse 1_- --_ 359 4-M____ 282 14-SN____-_. 486 1-57 ---- 539 Ames 1_ _ _ __ 521 5-M __ 332a 15-SN, _..--_ _ 654 McBride !_____. ___ 840 Armi 1______167 6-M_.._ 281 16-SN__-____ 334 617 Amelia !______526 7-M__._ 397 17-SN_._____ 558 Masterson 1-38- 749 Arris 1______456a 8-M____ 279 18-P------_- 400 Nield l-18_--_-____ 626 Augusta 1__ - __ _ 262 9-M____ 331 iq_«N 572 Purvin l-69__------468 Balfield !______171 10-M_._ 399 20 ------333 Sneed l-3______409 Balfour l-286-F__ 592 11-M_._ 394 21-P_ -___-_- 499 1-6------741 l-294-F____ 595 12-M___ 278 22-P.______500 1_Q 403 2 660 13-M_._ 395 oo_p 561 1-20 __ 484 3 _____-_. 596 Dore 1-G_. ------137b 94. P 571 l-23JP---.__ 406 4 ___-_-__ 520 Foster 1-S___ _-___ 180 25-P______- 499a 1-23-6T ____ 560 5_ ------518 2-FO_____--- 181 26-P---._ . 574 1-24 ______490 6 ------519 Gober 1-SP. ------230 97 P 498 1_OC 492 7 ___---- 594a 2-SP_.___-__ 284 28-P_ ___-_-- 497 1 9fi 404 8 .__--_-- 594 3-SP____--_- 285 9Q P 496 1-27 ---- 568 Barre l-______527 Haas 1______622 °.0-P 495 1-28 ----- 565 Bay 1 - ______353 2____--__._- ._ 682a E-1-P______552 i 40 649 Beraw 1 __ _ _ 2 Haile 1-M______292 D-2-SP -_ 493 l-44______647 Biffe 1______381 2-M______.__ 294 Taylor 1-G ______199 i AC 646 Bissell 1 ______443 Jester l-T____.._-__ 396 1-H _-_-- 280 i 4.0 640 2------517 Johnson 1-P __ __-. 681 l-P__-----__ 185 1-50 ------635 Bivins 1-GG- ______588b !___._. ._.. 782a 2 229 Sneed, A. R., l-33___ 553 Blanche !-__ __ _ - 463 Kilgore 2-G_. --.-__ 619 3-G_ ----- 198 1-37 557 Booker 1 _ __ _ 141 3-G______-_ 614 Texas C-l_.______79 Thompson 1-25 . _ 544 Box 1_ ------17a 4-G._.--__- 621 545 l-63_-___ 549 Bradie 1______- - 437 5-P--.---.- 609 2-TH _ 547 WfllVpr 1 fi 491 Brent !______- 548 6-P-__---_- 676 3-TH - 543 1 <3 494 2__----_----_ 630 LaSalle !_____ ._ __. 176 4---_-_- 546 645 3_ __ - 473 Lea 1 ______.___ 699a 5__-_--_- 632 2-55------691 Bri 1____------451 Lucky Tiger A-l____ 236 6-TH__-_ 475 Panhandle Oil Co.: 208 Moore 1-P__.______615 7-TH _ 541 Jameson-DuBois 1__ 418 97 2-M______535 8-TH__._ 478 Sneed 1 _____ 340 Brumley 1 _ ___ _ 39 3-P_--______534 9-TH 472 A-1 342 Burnett 1 . 422 Powell 1-G______223a 10------633a A -4. 341 Burrus 1 - _ - - 198a Pythian 1-P_._____. 139a 11-TH 624 Panhandle Production Bush l-_-_-__------67 Schlee 1______177 Troutman 1-SP _ __ 179 Co.: Butler 1 __ ------13a Sneed 1 Poitevent Wflltpr

TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate 1, listed alphabetically by company and name Continued GIB SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate j1, listed alphabetically by co mpany TABLE 2. Wells shown c m plate 1 , listed alphabetically by coi npany and name- -Continued ant1 name -Continued

Number Number Number Number Company and well (pl. 1) Company and well (Pl. 1) Company and well (Pl. 1) Company and well (pl. 1) Phillips Petroleum Phillips Petroleum Shamrock Oil and Gas Shamrock Oil and Gas Co. Continued Co. Continued C o . C ontinued Co. Continued Tanner 1 ______449 Deahl Continued Fowlston 1 _ _ 162 Schlee Continued Tarris 1______450 880 Fuqua 1______265 220a Tavlnr 1 __ 227a Poling 3 __ _ __ -. 852 267 Sharkey !______45 Teddy 1 446 4______853 3 266 Simmons B-l __ __ 219b Temple 1 _ ___. 438 Shelton A-l ____ _. 766 4__--__-___- 223 Smith, Dale, 1 175c Tprrv 1 513 765 84e Smith, Frank, 1 159e 87 A-3------697 Geary 1 161 Smith, Fred, 1 ______221a Thaten !______. 255 767 Hastie 1 ______261 Smith, Mary, 1 165 T'nr.lrpr 1 442 A-5 698 Hatcher-Crosby !___ 158 Sneed 20______287 Twill 1______I___ A-6 699 Hight l______--__ 84b 290 Utey l______-__. 5a A-7 700 112a Stewart 1 _ _ 296 Vanta !______. ... 159 Rowland, A. H., Co.: Huff 1 215b 38b 103 416b 215a Tays l___-_-______40c Vent A-l______- 231 Rubin, Dave, Oil Prop­ 40d Thaten !______159g 232 erties : B-l --- 22c Underwood B-l __ 238 A-4______288 Barnhill 3___ __ 77 C-l ----- 20d Van Order 1 _ __ _ 159h 283 78 140 Ward, J. F., 1______112b C-l 398 Beard 1______301 1 24 Wilson ______95 D-l 228 302 A-l___ 41d Yonque 1 220 E-l 200 671 42 Young 1 ___ 175d E-2 -. 229a 2______604 C-l 43 Zella l______-_____- 201 __ 607 668 60a Zwack 1 _ 123 __ . 452 4 670 Kelly l__-__ _ _ 163 Shell Oil, Inc.: Viola 1____._____. 523 5 672 298 Kelly !______339 Warrl 1 1 1 Op 6-B 673 Kilgore 1-28 537 55 Way 1. ______8a 7-B 706 56b Shell-Sinclair Co.: 077 76 56a Bartlett 1______33 Wild Bill 1______578 Shamrock Oil and Gas Co. : Luckhard 1 . - 84c Catlett l-_- _-----_ 152 __ 580 Alien 1______58f McDade 1 _ _ 137d Dash 1_.___ _. ----- 15 Wilson 2 ______35 22d H2g Donaldson A-l__ __ 51 Winn 1 __ _ _ 147 Ansley 1 __ _ _ _ 263 3_ ----- 137e Donelson 1_ ___ 70a 3 Atcheson 1 ______20e 54 B-l ----- 70 Worsley !______- -. 530 159f 41a Flynn !______7 587 122 112e Guleke 1 _ 74 Zell l_-______._. 415 22a 143 Hill 1 ______40b 2 414 528 TVTpTppT* 1 112f Hohman 1 151 3 416 371 Miller 1______4a Jones 1 ______41c -. 416a 2 369 20a 117 Zella A-l______. 291 368 Olsson, M., 1 124 Kraker 1 _ ___ _ 12 A-2______QCJ7 4 374 Perky !______20c Lindsey l-__- 149 293 A-l 320 Phillips !___------237 Longanbecker 1 _ 13 A-4 338 A-2 370 235 McDowell B-l ___ 91 A-5 __ 408a 58c Powell 1____ - 58 Miller 1___ __._-__ 17 A-6 410 Q 40 C-l ------40e Miller A-l- - 11 Zoeber 1 ._ __ 3a 40a Powell-Magnolia !___ 58g Munson 2_____ 173 ._ 853b 41 80 Russell 1 _- -__- 8 81 Q Brumley Ryan !____ 41b Read E-l__ __ 4 Wilbar !_-_- __ 170 849 58d Robertson B-4 25a Wilson !___ -___ 128 A-3 850 58a C-l _ 23a Sinclair Oil Corp.: A-4 851 58b C-2 __- 23 McDowell !___ 19b A-5 877 Coffee 1 _-__-_-__ 164 C-3 20 Phillips A-l_ ------3b A-6_ -. 876 A !______84a C-4 ___ 22 Skelly Oil Co.: -. 875a 259 24a Armstrong 1_ _ __ 212 A-7-728-.. 848 Cox l______-__._- 144 D-3-__._ 10 Armstrong, M. B., 1__ 211 847 260 E-l ___ 21 303 Est. 1 .- 775 532 Rubert 1 __ __ 59 417 Deahl A-l -. 853a Dore 1 ______112 Rubin-Brown 5-B___ 674 243 879 Finlev 1 _ _ _ 531a Schlee !___. _ _ __ 137 14. 304 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G19

TABLE 2. Wells shown on plate 1, listed alphabetically by company son, W. M. Deaton, and other members of the U.S. and name Continued Bureau of Mines for their interest and invaluable help. Number Number Special recognition is due the following members of Company and well (pi. 1) Company and well (pi. 1) the U.S. Geological Survey for their contributions to Skelly Oil Co. Con. Texas Interstate Pipe­ this investigation: C. Albert Horr, for the chemical Herring A-8______310 line Co.: 867 analyses; A. Tennyson Myers and Pauline J. Dunton, A-18_ 248 Bivins 1-540. ______701 for the spectrographic analyses; John N. Rosholt, Jr., Herring, W. E., !___ 430 Bost !____ 774 and Sylvia Furman, for the radiometric determina­ 2___ 423 McBride ! 839 tions ; A. J. Gude 3d and William F. Outerbridge, for 3__. 428 812 the X-ray crystallographic determinations; and to 5_._ 427 Masterson 1-587 __ 806 804b A. Y. Sakakura, for discussions of the source of radon Merchant 1______584 1-606____ Rockwell !______841 in the natural gas. Yake A-l.______507 White and Parks Co. _. 862d B-l______509 Whittenburg Co.: GEOLOGY OF THE WESTERN PART OF THE C-l______429 !______-__- 81 PANHANDLE FIELD D-l_____.____ 508 108 The dominant structural feature of the Panhandle Uraniferous asphaltite is sparsely disseminated field is the Amarillo-Wichita uplift, a northwest- throughout the cap rocks and, in places, occurs within trending geanticline between the Anadarko and Palo the reservoir rocks of the field. Analyses of this mate­ Duro basins, which extends over 200 miles from the rial show that it contains from about 0.2 to 5 percent Wichita Mountains of southwestern Oklahoma to the uranium. The discovery of the uraniferous asphaltite Dalhart basin (fig. 2). presented the problems of evaluating the processes that The basement complex of the western part of the resulted in its formation and of determining the source Panhandle field is composed of granite, porphyritic of the uranium and other metals that have been con­ rhyolite, and diabase. Of these rocks types, rhyolite is centrated in the asphaltite. The concentration and dis­ most commonly penetrated by drill holes in the base­ tribution of uranium and other metals, therefore, were ment rocks (pi. 2). Flawn (1954) assigned all the investigated in the reservoir rocks, asphaltite, residual igneous rocks to the late Precambrian. According to petroleum, crude oils, and brines. Flawn, the granite is part of the "Wichita igneous pro­ vince" that constitutes the core of the Amarillo-Wichita ACKNOWLEDGMENTS uplift, and the rhyolite represents flows of late Pre­ The investigation was made by the U.S. Geological cambrian age which made up the "Panhandle volcanic Survey on behalf of the U.S. Atomic Energy terrane." Diabase dikes and sills penetrate the porphy­ Commission. ritic rhyolite and are considered to be the youngest rock The writers wish to acknowledge the cooperation of type of the Precambrian complex. the following companies: Colorado Interstate Gas Co., The porphyritic rhyolite is a dull-red welded tuff Phillips Petroleum Co., Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, composed of sodic plagioclase phenocrysts and some Inc., Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, Shamrock high-temperature quartz phenocrysts, in a microcrystal- Oil and Gas Corp., Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Co., line groundmass showing flow structure. The diabase Continental Oil Co., Shell Oil Co., Standard Oil and which has intruded the rhyolite is composed of labra- Gas Co., Skelly Oil Co., Texas Co., Red River Oil Co., dorite, augite, ilmenite-magnetite, chlorite, and serpen­ Dave Rubin Oil Properties, Nabob Production Co., tine relics after olivine. The granite is a coarse-grained Cities Service Oil Co., Gray County Producing Co., pink variety composed of perthitic orthoclase, quartz, Magnolia Petroleum Co., Northern Natural Gas Co., green hornblende, brown biotite, zircon, and apatite Panhandle Oil Co., and the Sinclair Oil Corp. (petrographic description by Charles Milton, U.S. Geo­ The writers are particularly indebted to B. B. Mor­ logical Survey, Washington, D.C.). gan, G. H. Tomlinson, H. S. Carver, and R. Rogers of The sedimentary rocks of the western part of the the Colorado Interstate Gas Co.; R. K. Lanyon and Panhandle field range from Virgil (Cisco Group) to H. B. Bishop of the Phillips Petroleum Co.; O. C. early Leonard (Clear Fork Group) age, as shown in Barton of Kerr-McGee Oil Industries, Inc.; and G. figure 3. The sequence is made up of "granite wash," Galloup of Natural Gas Pipeline Co. of America, whose arkose, arkosic limestone; white crystalline fossilifer- time and assistance are greatly appreciated. They also ous limestone locally known as the "Moore County wish to express their gratitude to H. Neal Dunning, lime"; light brownish-gray fine- to medium-crystalline E. M. Frost, G. B. Shelton, C. W. Seibel, C. C. Ander- dolomite known as the "Brown dolomite"; light yel- G20 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

i which Precambrian rocks are exposed

FIGUEE 2. Map showing major structural features of the Panhandle field and adjacent areas. lowish-brown to light olive-gray dense dolomite known a shifting depositional environment that ranges from as the "Panhandle lime"; and red siltstone and shale normal marine to penesaline, modified by the influx of interbedded with white, gray, and brown anhydrite coarse to fine elastics. The white crystalline limestone known as the "Red Cave." is typical of a normal marine environment in that it is This stratigraphic sequence resembles the basin-mar­ light in color, ranges from fine to coarse crystalline in gin class of evaporites of Sloss (1953) and represents texture, and contains abundant fossils and fossil frag- URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS Gr21

NOMENCLATURE ECONOMIC TERM GROUP SERIES SYSTEM

Lower part of Clear Fork

Rocks of Leonard Age

"Panhandle lime" Wichita

/ // / " /xx Permian

"Brown dolomite" Rocks / A / A / A / of Wolfcamp / A / / Age

"Moore County lime' *M A

\ ' ' x i.'' Rocks "Granite wash" of Cisco Virgil Pennsylvanian Age

x\ i, A A ^ V Precambrian v A A

EXPLANATION

Anhydrite Precambrian rocks undivided

Anhydritic Dolomite with Chert Pyrite "Granite wash" Anhydritic dolomite shale partings shale

FIGUBE 3. Generalized stratigraphic section of Upper Pennsylvanian and Lower Permian rocks of the western part of the Panhandle field, Texas.

690-464 O 63 4 G22 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY ments. The anhydrite-dolomite rocks of Wolfcamp to Late Pennsylvanian to Early Permian in age and in­ early Leonard age are typical of a penesaline environ­ clude Scfwvagerina emaciata which occurs in formations ment (Lang, 1937); they represent a transition from of Late Pennsylvanian and early Wolfcamp age in west an environment with abundant marine life to one in Texas, Triticites ventricosus and Triticites uddeni, which nearly all life was absent, from a predominantly which occur in the lower beds of the Wolfcamp Forma­ organic one to one represented mainly by chemical tion of West Texas, and Triticites subventricosus, which precipitates. is common in the Uddenites zone of the Wolfcamp For­ DESCRIPTIVE GEOLOGY mation (King, 1937). The Uddenites zone is believed to be of Late Pennsylvania age, however similar forms "GRANITE WASH" of T. subventricosus continue into rocks of Permian age The term "granite wash" is used locally for all frag- (identification by Kaymond C. Douglass, U.S. Geolog­ mental rocks derived from the Precambrian complex. ical Survey). Identifiable brachiopods have not been In the western part of the Panhandle field the "granite recovered in the drill cuttings. wash" consists chiefly of fragmental rhyolite, quartz, Thin sections show that much of the limestone is com­ pink feldspar, biotite, ilmenite, and magnetite derived posed of interlocking calcite crystals with disseminated from basement rocks. In many drill samples, it is un- oolites, fusulinids and, in some samples, detrital quartz weathered and difficult to distinguish from the parent and microcline. Many of the oolites have been nearly rock. obliterated by crystallization. The limestone was most The "granite wash" ranges in age from Pennsyl- likely deposited as a foraminiferal lime-pellet mud vanian to Early Permian as is shown by its interfinger- mixed with some quartz and feldspar. Where the ing with limestones and dolomites of Virgil to early "Moore County lime" grades into the "granite wash" on Wolfcamp age on the crest of the uplift and with lime­ the flanks of the uplift, the rock is fine- to medium- stones of Des Moines age along the margins of the up­ grained arkosic or feldspathic limestone consisting of lift. Basinward, the "granite wash" attains a thickness numerous angular fragments of microcline-orthoclase of several hundred feet, but on the crest of the uplift and some plagioclase in a fine-grained matrix of lime it is generally thin, and in places it is absent. It is com­ pellets and fossil debris cemented with calcite. The monly interbedded with lenses of hematitic shale. On feldspar is predominantly kaolinized and the crystals the crest of the uplift, there is important gas produc­ are embayed by calcite. tion from the "granite wash" and from fractures in the Precambrian rocks (pi. 2). Impregnations, fracture- The "Moore County lime" is approximately 200 feet fillings, and nodules of uranium-bearing asphaltite have thick on the north flank of the uplift and thins and dis­ been found in the "granite wash" and in the underlying appears southward toward the crest. It thickens to Precambrian rocks. several hundred feet in the Dalhart and Anadarko basins and overlies thick limestone units of Virgil and "MOORE COUNTY LIME" Missouri ages. Along the flanks of the uplift, several The rock unit that overlies the "granite wash" locally gas-producing zones occur in the "Moore County lime," is called the "Moore County lime" or "White lime" and especially at its gradational contact with the "granite is considered by petroleum geologists working in the wash," and some uranium-bearing asphaltite has been area to be of early Wolfcamp age. It is composed observed in sample cuttings of the "Moore County chiefly of light pinkish-gray to white fine- to coarse- lime" in these areas. crystalline, very f ossiliferous limestone. In places along the flanks of the uplift the lower part of the limestone "BROWN DOLOMITE" is a mixture of reworked arkose and recrystallized lime The dolomite that overlies the "Moore County lime" pellets forming a gradational contact with the "granite is of Wolfcamp age and is locally referred to as the wash" below. Numerous beds of dominantly greenish "Brown dolomite." The color is caused, at least in part, gray to dark-gray shale occur in the upper part, and by oil stains associated with the secondary porosity. beds of red shale occur in the lower arkosic facies. Extraction of the oil from several core samples of Chert, which occurs in the "Moore County lime," is "Brown dolomite" showed that the pores contain about white, gray, brown, or red, and is smooth, mottled, or 5 percent oil by volume. The dolomite is light olive spicular in appearance. Pyrite, usually in the form of gray or brownish gray to very light gray, and contains minute cubes, and small amounts of marcasite are dis­ fine- to medium-grained crystals. Shale partings, ir­ seminated in the limestone. regularly shaped inclusions and stringers of white crys­ Fusulinids, brachiopods, and crinoid segments are talline anhydrite, and occasional chert zones and gray common. The fusulinids which have been identified are shale lenses also occur in the "Brown dolomite." URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G23 Nearly all thin sections of the dolomite show patches ward and also thickens and thins on the crest of the up­ and veinlets of secondary anhydrite and celestite that lift (pi. 2). sometimes contain uraniferous asphaltite nodules. An­ The "Brown dolomite" is an important reservoir alyses of core samples from well 316 showed from 5 to rock. Its porosity is due largely to a fine network of 25 percent strontium. The strontium and calcium sul- intracrystalline cavities that give the rock its "pin­ fates in the rock and part of the magnesium in the point" pore texture. The permeability is significantly dolomite were probably derived from marine bitterns increased by fracturing. Both open fractures and old­ enriched in sulfates. The paragenetic sequence in the er, partially cemented fractures are observed in sam­ thin sections studied is dolomite-celestite (with asphal­ ples of this rock. tite) and anhydrite (with asphaltite). Typical miner- alogical relationships in porous asphaltite-bearing "PANHANDLE LIMB" "Brown dolomite" are illustrated on figure 4. The upper part of the sequence is of early Leonard The "Brown dolomite" is probably the most homo­ age and is known locally as the "Panhandle lime." It is geneous and, therefore, the most easily recognized unit made up of light yellowish-brown to light olive-gray in the sequence. It varies in thickness from about 50 to aphanitic dolomite, light-tan to reddish siltstone, 300 feet. Its thickness has been controlled by lateral maroon and green shale, and anhydrite. Polyhalite changes in lithology and limited deposition on the and some gypsum occur with the anhydrite. The an­ structural highs. Vertically, the "Brown dolomite" hydrite and dolomite contain numerous uraniferous as­ grades into a dense anhydritic dolomite which is usual­ phalt nodules. Much of the maroon shale contains ly assigned to the basal part of the "Panhandle lime" green mottled patches and minute uraniferous asphal­ by geologists working in this area. It thickens basin- tite nodules surrounded by green halos.

EXPLANATION

Uraniferous asphaltite

Asphaltic oil stains an Anhydrite ce Celestite py Pyrite d Dolomite rhombs ch Chert o Residual oil b Brine

0.1 mm Approximate scale

FIGURE 4. Sketch showing typical mineralogical relationships in porous "Brown dolomite." G24 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY The lower part of the "Panhandle lime" has a crustal movement since that time has folded and faulted mottled appearance caused by anhydrite disseminated the rocks that overlie the uplift. throughout the dolomite. Large aggregates of anhy­ A zone of en echelon faults bound the south side of drite commonly occur in the aphanitic dolomite; the the uplift in the western end of the Panhandle field. aggregates consist of anhydrite crystals arranged in The faults that are shown on plate 1 are inferred prin­ radial manner, surrounding unoriented prismatic crys­ cipally from information that has been derived from tals. These aggregates are similar to those described drill holes spaced about 1 mile apart. This spacing is by Adams (1932) as replacing the dolomitic phase of not close enough to permit the interpretation of the the limestones of Permian age of West Texas. Similar structural complexities that may exist in the subsurface replacement of dolomite by anhydrite in an evaporite rocks. The lineation, configuration, and gradients of sequence in Yorkshire, England, has been described by the helium contours indicate other possible faults that Stewart (1951). act as permeability barriers prohibiting free migration The "Panhandle lime" and the "Ked Cave" (de­ of the helium into the crest of the anticlines. The struc­ scribed below) contain the cap rocks for the western tural sinks near Bivins, and fractured and broken rock part of the Panhandle gas field. The upper part of the encountered during drilling, also suggest that the sub­ "Panhandle lime" and the lower part of the "Ked Cave" surface structure in this area is probably more complex contain massive beds of anhydrite and shale that are than is indicated by plate 1. relatively incompetent and subject to plastic flowage URANIUM AND OTHER METALS IN THE PANHANDLE as shown by distorted layering in core samples of the FIELD rocks. Comparison of sample logs of different wells in­ dicates that some of the massive anhydrite strata are 10 URANIUM IN THE RESERVOIR AND CAP ROCKS to 30 feet thick and probably extend over hundreds of The western part of the Panhandle field, one of the square miles. The effective porosity and permeability largest helium reserves in the United States, contains of such beds is probably very low. These beds and in- high concentrations of radon (Rn222). Inasmuch as terbedded red shales form a barrier to the escape of both helium and radon are decay products in the ura­ gases from the underlying rocks. nium series a study of the distribution and concentra­ tion of uranium in the reservoir and cap rocks is neces­ "RED OAVE" sary to understand the origin of these gases. Buff to red siltstone composed of subangular to sub- Thorium, from which helium may also be derived, rounded quartz grains and chlorite and brick-red shale has not been investigated because of the lack of suitable interlaminated with anhydrite and dolomite overlies analytical techniques. The radon isotope of the thori­ the "Panhandle lime." These rocks are of early Clear um series, however, is not present in detectable amounts Fork (early Leonard) age and because of their incom­ in the gases, and only normal amounts of the radium petence in boreholes are locally referred to as the "Red isotopes of the thorium series are present in the oilfield Cave." The siltstone, especially that associated with brines. Mineralogic and spectrographic studies of the anhydrite, contains appreciable quantities of uranifer- rocks also indicate that no abnormal amounts of tho­ ous asphaltite in the form of botryoidal nodules. rium are present. Uranium-bearing asphaltite is consistently present STRUCTURE in the cap rocks and is locally present in the reservoir The Panhandle field is at the western end of an up­ rocks in the Panhandle field (see pi. 2), but determin­ lift that extends from southwestern Oklahoma nearly ing the quantitative distribution of this material is across the Texas Panhandle to New Mexico (fig. 2). handicapped by the lack of representative samples. Al­ This feature is known as the Amarillo-Wichita uplift, though several hundred wells on approximately 1-mile but because the structural relief between it and the centers have been drilled into the gas reservoir, drill Anadarko basin to the north approaches the unusual cuttings, largely from percussion drilling, are virtually magnitude of 28,000 feet, it is frequently referred to as the only samples that are available. Much of the ura­ the "buried Amarillo-Wichita Mountains." nium in the drill cuttings occurs in brittle asphaltite Uplifting began during Late Mississippian or Early nodules that are readily shattered and lost during drill­ Pennsylvanian time. After the region was uplifted, ing; analyses of such samples may not show the true the basement complex was exposed by erosion of the uranium content of the rocks from which the samples pre-Pennsylvanian rocks. By Early Permian time, the were derived. Accordingly, several types of data have truncated Precambrian rocks were submerged and ma­ been used to estimate the average uranium content of rine rocks were deposited over the uplift. Repeated the rocks: radiometric and chemical analyses of drill URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G25 cuttings, radium analyses of core samples, and estimates TABLE 3. Uranium contents of drill cuttings of reservoir rocks of the amount of uranium that would be required to from some wells in the western part of the Panhandle field Con. [Samples contributed by Colorado Interstate Gas Co., Amarillo, Tex.; collected by support the radon in the gases. An estimate of the mean G. E. Manger. Chemical uranium analyses by I. Barlow and M. Delevaux] uranium content of the asphaltite-bearing cap rocks has Well Depth of Percent been made from chemical and radiometric analyses of (fig. 2) sampling Stratigraphic unit Lithologic description chemical drill cuttings, gamma-ray logs of drill holes, spectro- (feet) uranium chemical analyses of the asphaltite, and visual estimates 694 2575-2604 .... do ...... 0.0002 2614-2655 Rhyolite(?).. 0003 of the abundance of asphaltite in drill cuttings. 2823-2846 do - .do... . . nnno 2885-2915 do do nnno Chemical analyses of 81 samples of asphaltite-free 2956-3015 . .do --.do . . fVW> 3015-3060 - .do ... . .do . .0001 drill cuttings from various parts of the Panhandle 3150-3180 - -do .do .0001 724 2659-2670 ftfifi*} field indicate that the.uranium content of the reservoir 2670-2681 do .0002 Rhyolite(?)- flfU^O rocks (the "Brown dolomite," "Moore, County lime," 666__ - 3125-3210 .0001 3450-3490 do -do- - .0001 and parts of the "granite wash") ranges from 1 to 5 764 2880-2890 0005 3287-3295 ..do ..- - do. 0004 ppm (parts per million) (table 3). The average radi­ 3435-3445 - do -.do...... 0003 RfU 2339-2355 nnn9 um content of two sets of core samples of "Brown dolo­ Rhyolite(?j. .--.- .0001 2821-2837 -_do .0001 mite" from two wells (table 4) is 1.44 X10'12 g per g 3089-3102 --.do . - -do . .0001 »m 2440-2450 fififtO 2468-2470 Rhyolite(?).. nflft9 141 . 3470 .0001 TABLE 3. Uranium contents of drill cuttings of reservoir rocks 891 2040 nnnp from some wells in the western part of the Panhandle field 2040 do nnnp [Samples contributed by Colorado Interstate Gas Co., Amarillo, Tex.; collected by G. E. Manger. Chemical uranium analyses by I. Barlow and M. Delevaux] TABLE 4. Radium content and radon-emanating power of core Well Depth of Percent samples from two wells in the Panhandle field (fig. 2) sampling Stratigraphic unit Lithologic description chemical (feet) uranium [Samples collected by Phillips Petroleum Co. for G. E. Manger. Analyses for porosity and permeability by U.S. Bur. Mines, Franklin, Pa.; radium and radon analyses by F. J. Davis and A. F. Gabrysh, Oak Ridge National Laboratory] 723 2512-2516 0.0001 2635-2650 2667-2681 -do -do AfW} Core Ra Perme­ Radon 2735-2750 .do -do - AfW> Depth of recov­ Part of core analyzed content Porosity ability emanat­ 2785-2802 .do do - core (feet) ered (10-«g (percent) (10-' ing power 2870-2885 Rhyolite (?)... . (feet) Ra per g) darcies) (percent) 727 2595-2690 .0004 with anhydrite. 2885-2987 AfW} Phillips Petroleum Co. Ola well 1, Moore County Tex. (No. 312 on fig. 2) feldspar. 2987-3028 do .0003 3100-3155 Precambrian. ___ __ Rhyolite(?). .0005 3530-3540 8 2dft 2.97 7.69 0.1 5.98 830 2294-2347 .0002 5th ft...... 1.86 8.62 .1 5.45 2504-2542 "Moore County lime" .... Fossiliferous lime­ .0002 6th ft...... 1.33 2.72 .33 5.38 stone. 7th ft...... 79 2.77 .1 1.23 2588-2633 "Granite wash" __ - _ .. .0002 3574-3580 4 1.58 6.53 .1 12.39 2640-2714 -do do .0001 3573-3577 1.5 1.36 12.07 61.23 4.74 2828-2874 -do ..do .0002 3577-3590 5.6 1.10 3.19 .1 4.44 2984-3024 do do .0001 3597-3607 5 .92 22.22 66.4 4.57 3024-3071 - do...... do - 3611-3613 1 1.05 7.27 .1 5.91 3202-3280 Rhyolite(?)-_ 0002 862 . 2716-2725 .0001 2740-2760 -do - - do .0001 Phillips Petroleum Co. Louise well 1, Sherman County, Tex. 2819-2825 - do do .0001 2881-2885 ~ do .0001 2913-2915 -do 2771-2773 Top ^ ft...... 0.64 16.49 7.11 8.10 862. . 2338-2328 "Brown dolomite"- -- - iwii Bottom 1 ft - .77 7.83 .1 7.75 2438-2442 .0001 2773-2774 Middle 1 ft . ... .70 8.95 21.39 5.65 2478-2481 Rhyolite (?)-. Bottom 1 ft. .. . .45 8.99 .1 6.60 2548-2555 do nnm 2777-2781 Top 1ft-. .64 8.17 .52 6.25 2608-2611 ~ do do .20 14.63 34.12 15.08 680 2855-2865 "Brown dolomite------0001 2781-2784 .17 25.47 1858.0 14.62 3095-3106 do - .do .0001 2785-2788 Top 1ft...... 23 10.19 8.25 12.16 3182-3144 2788-2792 Top 1ft...... 14 12.85 21.04 7.79 3223-3234 -do ...... - .do .0001 3288-3305 - do -.do Bottom 1 ft ...... 10 9.86 3.09 6.88 611 3202-3209 "Brown dolomite" - ---- nnni 3317-3322 do -.do - 3509-3512 "Moore County(?) lime" 3514 do . .0001 3516 .0001 and 0.40 X 10~12 g per g which is equivalent, respectively, 3523 - do - . -.do nnm 612. . 2800-2850 .0001 to 4.0 and 1.1 ppm uranium in equilibrium with radium. anhydrite, 2950-3000 do do .0001 Calibrated gamma-ray logs by Schlumberger Well Sur­ 3090-3139 "Brown dolomite" ------.0004 3227-3260 do -do ... - veying Corp. show radioactivity equivalent to 2 to 3 3321-3357 --do - . do fW^I 3424-3440 "Granite wash" ____ 0001 ppm uranium in the gas-producing "Brown dolomite." 3470-3481 do do 693 2258-2272 Radiometric analyses of several hundred samples have 2465-2487 "Granite wash" ___ .0001 2700-2721 -do ... do f\(\f\1 shown that the equivalent uranium content of the reser­ 2834-2846 -- do . -.do... . .0001 3071-3090 do -do .0001 voir rocks is less than the measurable lower limit of 3255-3265 -do .do 3406-3428 do -.do finni 10 ppm, by the beta-gamma counting technique that 3482-3500 -do .do 747 .- 2135-2145 . do...... was used. Sakakura and others (1959) concluded that 2165-2175 - do ...... -do .0002 2185-2195 -do ...... do ... .nnns radon concentrations of 23 to 522 micromicrocuries per G26 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY liter (STP, standard temperature and pressure) in 300-foot-thick interval in the upper part of the "Pan­ gases from the field correspond to reservoir rocks con­ handle lime" and lower part of the Clear Fork Group taining from about 0.4 to 9 ppm uranium, respectively. is at least 10 ppm and perhaps is as much as 20 ppm. The average radon content of gases in the Panhandle field is about 100 micromicrocuries per liter (STP) URANIUM AND OTHER METALS IN THE CRUDE OIL (pi. 1) which would correspond to about 2 ppm in the Semiquantitative spectrographic, radiometric, and reservoir rock. In summary these data indicate that the chemical analyses of the ash of 26 crude oil samples mean uranium content of the reservoir rocks is from 2 from wells peripheral to the western part of the Pan­ to 4 ppm. handle gas field (table 5) show that the metal content The uranium content of the cap rocks (the upper part of the crude oil is low (table 6). Their uranium con­ of the "Panhandle lime" and lower part of the Clear tent ranges from less than 1 to about 300 ppb. Many Fork Group) apparently is several times higher than of the predominating elements, particularly sodium, the uranium content of the reservoir rocks. Radiomet- potassium, calcium, magnesium, and strontium, are ric analyses of 335 percussion-drill samples of the up­ those elements that are normally most concentrated in per part of the "Panhandle lime" and lower part of the brine, and the presence of these elements in the oil the Clear Fork Group in 13 wells distributed over the may have resulted, therefore, from incomplete desalting Panhandle field, show an average equivalent uranium of the samples. Uranium, nickel, vanadium, molybde­ content of 20 ppm. The rocks represented by these num, cobalt, and arsenic, however, are concentrated in samples have an average thickness of 260 feet. Gamma- the crude oil to a greater degree than can be explained ray logs calibrated by Schlumberger Well Surveying by contamination of the oil sample by brine. This fact Corp. show an average radioactivity through the same is illustrated in figure 5 by the comparison of the con­ rocks equivalent to 18 ppm uranium. centrations of trace metals in the oil, brine, and asphal­ Seventy-five uncalibrated gamma-ray logs, examples tite. The data for the oil are from tables 5 and 6. The of which are given in plate 3, show that the radioactiv­ data for asphaltite nodules and brine are presented in ity of the asphaltite-bearing interval, after allowance a following part of this report (tables 8 and 14). Semi- is made for absorption by the casing, is about 5 times quantitative spectrographic analyses of the salts of greater than the radioactivity of the underlying these brines used in preparing figure 5 are not presented "Brown dolomite." The "Brown dolomite" has been elsewhere in this report. estimated to contain from 1 to 4 ppm uranium (table The possibility of the occurrence of discrete minerals 3); the uranium content of the upper part of the "Pan­ in the crude oil was investigated by filtering the mate­ handle lime" and basal part of the Clear Fork Group is, rials in suspension from several samples and studying therefore, indicated to be in the range of 5 to 20 ppm them under high magnification. Some of the sus­ if the radioactivity is due entirely to the presence of pended materials were concentrated by passing the uranium and its decay products. crude oil through a bacteriological filter. Other smaller The asphaltite is estimated, on the basis of the exami­ particles were obtained by diluting the filtered oil with nation of 500 mineralized drill samples, to compose on benzene and passing it through a column of powdered the average about 0.5 percent by weight of the samples. aluminum chloride (Sanders, 1928). The column of The average uranium content of the asphaltite is about aluminum chloride was dissolved in water to form a 1 percent as indicated by spectrochemical analyses. saturated solution from which the extremely fine parti­ The mean uranium content of the mineralized drill sam­ cles that had been adsorbed from the oil were collected. ples is calculated at about 50 ppm. The materials separated by these means were examined The distribution of mineralized drill samples is under 1500 X magnification in diffuse reflected light. shown on plate 2. Each asphaltite nodule symbol rep­ They consisted of abundant tiny fragments of carbon­ resents a 10-foot thickness of asphaltite-bearing rock. ized organic material, some micron-sized globules of It is estimated that from one-third to one-half of the brassy minerals, and particles of a black pitchy mate­ samples from the "Panhandle lime" and lower part of rial. All these materials were mounted on glass slides, the Clear Fork Group contain asphaltite. These results coated with liquid nuclear emulsion, and exposed for indicate that, if no asphaltite has been lost during drill­ 2 months, but they showed no significant alpha activity. ing, the average uranium content of the mineralized The low alpha activity suggests that the relatively high rocks is from about 15 to 25 ppm. Although this esti­ uranium contents of the ashes of these crude oil samples mate has only semiquantitative significance, when con­ (table 5) do not originate from suspended materials. sidered with the radiometric analyses discussed above, The tiny brassy globules from less than a micron to as it suggests that the mean uranium content of a 200- to much as tens of microns in diameter are probably made URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS 027

26 crude oils 27 asphaltite nodules 30 connate brines - log (g per g) -log(g per g) log (g per g) 56 7 8 9 10 II 0 I 234567 234 56789 10 I I I I I I __| I I I 1 Samples

Na

Ca

Fe

Mg

Si

As

K

Sr

Ni

V

Al

Pb

Cu

Ti

2r

2n

Mn

Ba

Co

Cr

B

Y

Yb

Mo

Ag

U

FIGURE 5. Concentrations of metals in crude oil, asphaltite nodules, and connate brine. G28 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

up of pyrite and chalcopyrite, and may contribute sig­ sion column. The resulting fractions were analyzed for nificantly to the iron, copper, and sulfur contents of the their metal contents. The data, listed in descending oil ash. Inasmuch as the crude oil samples prior to order in the diffusion column (table 7), show that dur­ analysis were filtered through frits of about 50 microns ing diffusion the metals concentrated towards the bot­ pore diameter, the metallic particles must have been tom of the column with the heavy asphaltic molecules present in the ashes of the samples that were analyzed. of the crude oil. The extent to which the various met­ An analysis of the material removed by filtering a als concentrated is also shown in table 7. Vanadium, Panhandje crude-oil sample (table 5, sample 25) shows which probably occurs in the oil as a soluble porphyrin that iron and copper are the most abundant heavy complex, is concentrated to a much greater degree than metals removed followed by chromium, manganese, are the other metals. nickel, tin, lead, vanadium, and a trace of silver. A Small amounts of lead are present in the crude oil sodium fluoride flux test for uranium was negative. All of the Panhandle field and a large proportion of this these metals are also present in the filtered oil (table 5, metal may be of radiogenic origin. The radon concen­ sample 24). In relation to the major constituents such trations in the gases of the West Panhandle field are as as silicon and sodium, the filter held back more than much as 104 micromicrocuries per liter of pore space at half of the iron, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, tin, reservoir temperature and pressure. Radon is highly barium, boron, titanium, lead, chromium, strontium, soluble in oil, and calculation shows that petroleum and manganese, about one-tenth of the copper, calcium, saturating these rocks could have accumulated as much and possibly silver, and only about one-hundredth of as 10"6 g Pb/206 per g oil since Permian time (250 the vanadium and nickel. Cobalt and molybdenum million years) from decay of radon dissolved in it. In­ were detected in the oil but not in the residues from asmuch as the actual lead content of the crude oil (table filtration. It seems probable from these results that of 6) ranges from only 10"10 to 10'6 g Pb per g oil, a major all the metals present, vanadium and nickel and possi­ part of the lead could have been derived from decay of bly cobalt and molybdenum occur chiefly as compounds radon. soluble in the oil. Vanadium, iron, and nickel are the three major RADIUM AND URANIUM IN THE BRINE metals occurring in the ash of the Panhandle crude oil. Both vanadium and nickel have been shown to occur as The radium and uranium contents and the chemical porphyrin complexes soluble in petroleum (Dunning, compositions of brine samples collected from the Pan­ Moore, and Myers, 1954). A sample of crude oil from handle field are presented by Rogers (table 8). The the Panhandle field has been analyzed for its porphyrin radium content of 75 brine samples ranges from 3 to content by H. N. Dunning and J. W. Moore of the U.S. 1560 X 10~12 g Ra226 per liter, and the uranium content of Bureau of Mines. They found 8 ppm of "free" or non- 29 of these samples ranges from less than 0.1 to 13 X 10~6 polar porphyrins (Dunning, written communication, g U per liter. 1953). Quantitative spectrographic analyses of this oil Calculation shows that the amount of uranium in the showed that it has a nickel content of 1.2 ppm and a 29 samples analyzed is sufficient to support from less vanadium content of 1.0 ppm. The amount of porphy­ than 0.01 to 24 percent of the radium (Ra226) present in rin present in the oil is sufficient to complex about one- individual samples. The major part of the uranium half of the total vanadium and nickel present. from which the radium was derived must, therefore, be A sample of oil from well 731 was passed through in the reservoir rocks. a large adsorbent candle filter of about 5 microns pore The chemical compositions of the Panhandle brines size and then diffused for 48 hours, in a thermal diffu­ are portrayed graphically in figures 6 and 7, which

TABLE 7. Metal concentrations, in parts per million, in thermodiffusion fractions of a sample of crude oil from well 731

[Spectrochemical analyses by A. T. Myers. Thermodiffusion separation, chemical uranium analyses, and ash determinations by C. A. Horr. Fractions are listed in order of appearance in thermodiffusion column]

Ash Fraction Description V Ni Na Mg Ba Pb U Ag Cu Ca Mo Co Al Ti Or Mn Fe (per­ cent)

I...... 0.09 0 9 0.09 0.2 0 0 2 20 0.03 0.03 O Q 0.9 0.9 20 0.011 2______.7 .14 036 1.4 Oft .14 .07 12 .1 1.4 .7 30 .035 3.--.... 20 40 20 f\KA 2 20 200 .2 .4 80 2 80 .105 4...... 40 80 170 80 .210 40 Knfl .8 i?o 17 17 17 170 .092 Ratio of fraction 4 to 450 90 40 40 40 40 OK (V\ 30 Ofi 3ft 20 20 20 20 10 8.4 :Mg +

32.0 percent -T -V >- 16.0 percent

8.0 percent

4.0 percent

v- -2.0 percent- V-

svxai ' svo m pinnaH axv G30 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY TABLE 8. Radium content and chemical analyses of brine samples from Samples 1-30, 36-49, and 72-74 were collected and analyzed for their major con J. N. Rosholt, Jr., James McGurk, Jesse Meadows, W. J. Mountjoy, J. E. Wilson, and 75 were analyzed by Water Resources Laboratory, U.S. Geological Survey, tion of samples 31, 51-59, and 63, which were analyzed for radium content by J. N. Lake City, Utah. Analyses for arsenic, J. T. Slayback and R. R. Belns, U.S. Geo Total solids include some constituents that are not reported. Well Location Depth Sample No. Name Company Land description Survey County State (feet) (g per cc) (PL D Sec. 1_...... Phillips... _ ..... 15 T. 2 N., R. 17 E..... Texas _ .... Okla-.- . 2,570 1.1746 2 .. .do...... 32 T. 1 N., R. 17 E. . . ..do ... ..do...... 2,854 1. 1315 3 ... __ Hitch R-l .... do 35 T. IN., R. 16 E ... do...... do...... 2,864 1. 0514 4...... do...... 8 T. IN., R. 15 E- .do...... do..... 2,858 1.1280 5...... do. 7 T. IN., R. 15 E - do...... do 2,814 1. 1323 6...... do...... 2 T. 1 N., R. 14 E. ... .do .do..... 2,775 1.1299 7 ...... do. 13 T. 1 N., R. 13 E do...... do...... 2,816 1. 1012 8...... Borah 1...... do...... 15 T. IN., R. 13E__ . -do...... do...... 2,871 1.0996 9 _ . NicholsA-1... ___ .. .do...... 11 T. 1 N., R. 12 E...... do...... do ... . 2,900 1.0984 10 . .do...... 26 T. 1 N., R. 13 E...... -do...... do...... 2,951 1. 0965 11...... do...... 31 T. 1 N., R. 13 E . do ... ..do 2.939 1. 0186 12...... do...... 26 Blk. I.. . IWC Hansford.. ... Tex.. _ . .. . 2,896 1. 1346 13 Math 1 ___ . ... - - do...... 70 Blk. 2 _ ... GHandH .. .. -do..... do...... 3,189 1. 0816 14.... Dlx ! .. ____ . _ ... . .do 4 Blk. 3- __ GHand H...... do . do.. 3,182 1.0856 15...... do...... 33 Blk. 3 - GHand H_...... do...... do...... 5,315 1. 1372 16. do...... 236 Blk. 2 ... GHand H . _ . do...... do...... 2,930 1.1128 17.. _ - __ . . .do...... 1 Blk. 1-C.. __ ..... GHand H _ . . . Sherman ...... do...... 2,968 1.1006 18...... do..... in Blk. 1-C.. GNandH.- - do...... do... 2,959 1. 1025 19... __ .. Witter A-l...... do...... 10 Blk. 1-C.. GH and H .. _ do . . do...... 2,885 1.0293 20 do...... 171 Blk. 1-T. ... T and NO...... do...... do...... 2,890 1. 1282 21... __ Bivins F-l...... do...... C7 Blk. 3-B._ GHand H _ ... do...... do ... 3,300 1. 1073 22... __ ...... do...... 34 Blk. 3-B ... GHand H...... do...... do...... 3,161 1. 1022 23 Tinal.. _ . .do...... 17 Blk. 2. Tand NO...... do...... - do .... . 3,456 1. 0556 24 . __ . Merkle 1 ...... -. . do...... 267 Blk. 1-T Tand NO.- ... ..do...... do 3,339 1. 0171 25 do...... _... 246 Blk. 1-T...... Tand NO...... _ do...... do...... 3,378 1.0046 26.. ___ . _ . Jefll - .do...... 268 Blk. 1-T ..... Tand NO. __ do . do 3,347 1. 0158 27 .do...... oon Blk. 1-T-...... T and NO...... do...... -do .... 3,069 1. 0153 28 Clndy 1...... do..... 51 Blk. 1-C.. GHand H. ------do...... do...... 2,929 1.0016 29... _ ...... do...... 2 Blk. 1-T.. ... Tand NO.... . do...... _do.______2,703 1. 0991 30 __ ...... do...... 12 Blk. 2 . PSL...... do...... do...... 2,701 1. 1014 31. Lee 10 79 Blk. 3-B-, _ ...... GHand H . .. . .do.._..____ . .do...... 32 Lee 11 ... .do ... fiQ Blk. 3-B.. . . GHand H_. _ __ - do - .do ... . 3,205 1.107 33 Leel do. 68 Blk.3-B_ GH andH . -do .do. 3,220 1.124 34 - Flyrl - . .do...... 66 Blk. 3-B GHandH. - do ... -dO 3,250 1.124 35 ..do Blk. 3-T Tand NO.. -do ..... do . - 3,300 1.113 36 19c Phillips iq Blk. M-16. Hutchinson ..... do..... - 3,173 1.0047 37. K7Q Wild Bill 1 CO -do .....do 2,564 1.0322 38 do 3 Blk. 1. B and B._._ ... - do - do - 2,937 1.0984 39 Eddie 1...... do..... Band B,...... - do ... .do. 2,550 1.0056 40 914, Katherine 2. - .do 3 Blk. 1 Wm. Cole- . - -.do -do 3,148 1.1840 41 QQ Way !.._. ..do...... 17 Blk. M-16-.. AB and M. -.do...... -dO 3,190 1.0071 19 - do . Blk. 3-T - - Tand NO. . .do 3,279 1. 1145 43 Vilasl.. - . do 394 Blk.44 Hand TC... ~ -do ..... do 3,428 1.0088 44 - Idell 1 . do - "UQ Blk. 44 - HandTC-- -do ..... do 3,527 1. 0779 45 253- ..do. . 117 Blk.44 Hand TC..._ -do .do 3,600 1. 0765 46 316 - Olal ..do 162 Blk. 44 Hand TC. do ... -do ... 3,788 1. 1057 47 AKO ..do . 09 Blk.44 HandTC-- - do ... -do... 3,603 1.0637 48 - 527 . Barre 1.... - ..do - 35 Blk. 44 HandTC-- .do ..... do - 3,491 1. 1791 49 - 455- .do ~ 76 Blk 44 Hand TC....- -do ..... do 3,624 1.0932 50 165 Blk. 3-T - - Tand NO.. .do ... .do 3,300 1.097 51 ..do 165 Blk. 3-T...... Tand NO.- -do -do 3,300 52 . 91a -.do...... - oqo "Rllr Q. T Tand NO.. -.do ... . do 53 High 4. ..do 354 Blk. 44 Hand TO.... - -.do...... -do ..... 222a Anderson 1 _ Kerr-McGee. 238 Blk. 44 HandTC.- -.do -- - dO ... 55 . 319 Drucillal. . ... -do...... IRQ Blk. 44 Hand TC.... -do ..do 56 - ..do 77 Blk 44 -do..... - ..... do... 57.. - IOQ do Of A Blk 44 HandTC.- - - do..... - .do 58 - Wellsl-B . .do...... - 153 Blk. 3. ----- Tand NO..-- . .do ..... do 69 - McDowell C-2 .do . 15 Blk. M-16--. -.do...... do 60 570 Sneed 5-P Nat. G.P.A-- 7 Blk. B-12 Band P.. - .. do ... -do 3,065 1.123 61.... - Taylor 1-G_ Phillips. . 21 Blk. M-l. .._.-- D and P... ------do .... .do. 3,399 1.085 62 . 90 Blk. 21 ...... -do 5,834 1.130

63 KCC^ -do 90 Blk. 21 - .do ..do 64 fjat ri p A 91 Blk. 5 - landGN . .do- . 3,502 1.169 66 . do 00 Blk. 4 - land GN ..do ...... do... 2,435 1.003 66 -do Blk. 4. - land GN -do -do... 2,920 1.079 67 ..do 9K Blk. 4. - landGN do do 2,702 1.178 68 - .do ice Blk. 3 - - landGN do .do. 2,670 1.188 69 . Cobb 1-G -do...... 9n9 Blk. 3 - - land GN -do - -do 2,651 1.194 70 .do . 204 Blk. 3. - I and GN -do ..... do 2,630 1.195 71 ..do ...... 239 Blk. B-2 . ... . landGN -do - do 2,750 1.206 72... 190 Blk. 7. - - land GN . -do ..... do 2,927 1. 1130 73 9*U Blk. B-2.... H and GN - -do ..... do... 2,930 1. 1025 74... McKnight 1.. . . - ... .do...... 17S Blk. B-2. H and GN ~ Gray.. ------..... do 2,772 1.1953 75 - Hexter3-E__ ..... Nat. G.P.A----- 215 Blk.B 2 - HandGN ----- . do .do 2,885 URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G31 some gas wells in the Panhandle and Hugoton fields, by A. S. Rogers stituents by Phillips Petroleum Co.; samples 31, 50-59, and 63, were analyzed by and C. A. Horr, U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.; samples 32-35, 60-62, 64-71, Washington, D.C. All radium analyses were made by A. S. Eogers, with the excep- Rosholt, Jr. Analyses for fluorine and boron, Chemistry Dept., Utah Univ., Salt logical Survey, Denver, Colo.

Milligrams per liter of brine 10-12 gperlRa-M Remarks; other analyses Total Ca Mg Naand(or) K Br I 01 SO4 HCOj Cu Fe Mn U solids

231,034 49, 913 1,452 83,] 22 140,064 1,412 71 193 11 ppm F; 6.8 ppm B. 176, 357 2,194 689 65, f 16 104,150 3,768 40 179 171, 108 1,338 431 25, 6 92 39, 138 5,083 26 9 175,084 1,183 584 65, S 90 99,350 10,092 21 92 7 ppm F; 3.7 ppm B. 178,286 937 500 67,2 57 99,240 10,277 75 119 171, 019 844 475 64, S 181 93,442 11,800 77 100 134,011 898 494 48,: 14 70,892 13, 253 155 183 134, 018 907 628 49, a 90 69, 978 12,948 167 112 132, 798 1,065 1,075 48,: 71 72,276 9,839 172 150 130,334 948 544 48,1 55 68,757 11, 853 77 89 25,361 1,628 342 7,4 23 13,540 2,407 21 12 183,099 1,926 798 68,2 18 107, 655 4,449 53 163 111,583 1,970 1,121 39,4 72 63,780 5,168 59 85 116, 397 1,897 1,657 40,5 23 66,172 5,987 136 27 181,904 9,490 2,032 58,109 112,084 120 69 1,060 153, 678 1,296 699 57,2 SO 87,907 6,436 60 100 135, 868 1,055 705 50,1 10 73,478 10,403 117 83 138,342 937 612 51,5 72 76,784 8,358 79 90 39, 195 1,730 428 12,4 SO 20,974 3,433 150 34 173, 797 4,406 2,189 59, S52 105,038 2,128 84 121 3 ppm F; 3.3 ppm B. 145, 033 5,176 956 49,7 19 87,140 1,996 46 206 127,404 18,358 8,502 16,8 86 82, 502 895 261 123 9 ppm F; 4.4 ppm B. 71,911 3,290 1,121 11,7 63 44,585 915 103 171 7 ppm B; 7.0 ppm B. 24,536 1,538 205 7,5 47 14,213 954 79 34 5,883 364 51 1,798 3,320 276 74 17 23,445 706 74 8,5 20 12, 478 1,339 328 13 69,902 1,911 671 24,1 18 40,826 2,130 46 21 1,169 49 14 3 45 475 119 167 4 134,545 4,046 3,632 42,6 83 81, 918 2,244 22 127 138,398 2,045 2,595 47,742 81,568 4,403 45 170 228,607 4,900 1,600 71,000 1,140 -138, 000 1,920 47 0.01 720 154, 111 4,640 1,470 51,400 442 59 4 93,500 2,240 1.4 64 0.76 0.0008 435 1.2 ppm Al; 4.0 ppm Zn. 161, 178 3,440 4,220 53,100 507 72 22 96, 900 2,490 .0 1.4 .21 .0022 565 4.2 ppm Al; .0 ppm Zn. 205,190 5,860 1,370 55, 100 578 85 2.8 140, 000 2,080 .2 .0023 575 154, 189 5,110 1,270 54,600 471 82 2.9 90, 700 1,850 .0 18 .97 .0065 218 200 ppm Al; 10 ppm Zn. 5,880 658 104 1,5 92 2,478 1,087 6 45,047 1,230 320 15,:(45 23, 041 4,924 15 7 ppm F; 7.0 ppm B. 128, 201 12, 232 5,776 28, 04 81, 018 1,008 63 120 7 ppm F; 7.0 ppm B. 6,277 771 143 IJ 23 1,769 1,966 505 4 246,963 1,175 566 94,,556 146, 436 4,206 26 44 1 ppm F 1. 8 ppm B. 7,623 11,236 356 j 94 3,200 1,774 163 6 151,202 8,647 3,798 44, ( )35 93, 200 1,369 153 318 6.0 ppm F; 14 ppm B. 8,247 1,045 222 1,£ 33 3,354 1,866 3 106, 533 2,621 1,116 36, S 98 61, 867 3,827 204 289 103, 773 5,262 1,788 32, C 90 62, 395 2,096 142 483 0.2 ppm As. 140, 965 6,703 2,263 44, t 03 86, 084 1,290 122 350 86, 110 3,792 1,084 27,' 87 50, 816 2,475 156 140 238, 347 1,989 1,248 39,'69,: 136 142, 722 2,991 61 39 3.0 ppm As. 125, 973 6,205 1,863 03 76, 247 1,731 224 .002 1,560 121, 303 1,110 684 44,' 00 64,700 6,220 .43 .38 <. 0001 98 1.5 ppm Al; 0.08 ppm Zn. 148,228 2,397 1,230 53, S!00 80, 900 9,484 342 .003 126 182, 233 4,696 2,047 63, £ !00 107, 000 4,485 205 .004 140 55, 778 1,565 613 20, t)00 33, 900 1,408 735 .004 120 32, 168 5,500 580 5,750 94 19, 500 654 90 .01 22 8.0 g per 1 sludge; 0.5 ppm U in sludge. 22, 311 3,700 900 3,250 95 12, 900 1,370 86 <.01 29 1.0 g per 1 sludge. 44,865 3,800 1,300 12, 250 225 25, 300 1,850 140 <.01 22 2.7 g per 1 sludge; 0.5 ppm U in sludge. 14, 202 1,600 240 3,350 224 8,100 617 71 <.01 10 52. g per 1 sludge; 0.2 ppm U in sludge. 28,468 1,400 270 9,350 138 15, 600 1,600 110 <.01 16 1.1 ppm U in heavy oil emulsion. 169, 182 3,400 2,100 55, 000 264 105, 000 3,350 68 <.01 14 165, 411 1,690 771 61, 600 245 30 3.2 97, 900 2,700 8.8 161 .4 .0022 58 6.5 ppm Zn. 113, 585 5,160 2,470 34, 800 240 351 12 69, 300 845 2.1 124 .5 .0004 224 1.6 ppm Al; 4.9 ppm Zn. 171,156 4,810 1,600 58,300 600 104, 000 1,300 1.2 29 .2 <. 0001 1,170 Oil well producing from "granite wash"; 16.0 ppm Al; 3.8 ppm Zn. 195, 151 8,704 2,634 65, C 100 117,000 1,743 .005 724 Do. 261, 984 14, 500 18, 800 57, 700 1,640 833 42 167, 000 493 6.8 510 21 .010 147 33 ppm Al; 17 ppm Zn. 4,246 813 162 419 19 4 .57 1,130 1,630 1.0 31 .32 .0005 7 29 ppm Al; 2.9 ppm Zm. 105, 550 2,560 1,870 32, 800 1,060 365 6.0 62, 300 4,140 2.5 96 .60 <. 0001 33 2.5 ppm Al; 4.7 ppm Zn. 241, 706 3,220 5,400 88,100 2,330 692 9.8 139, 000 2,800 4.5 53 1.4 .0008 97 16 ppm Zn. 235, 044 2,360 8,400 69, 500 2,210 853 20 144, 000 7,100 1.2 41 .2 .0008 62 24 ppm Al; 5.0 ppm Zn. 247, 708 1,670 863 88,000 2,310 146 17 151, 000 2,800 1.5 47 .4 .0006 227 11 ppm Al; 5.0 ppm Zn. 238, 749 8,280 13, 100 62,500 1,490 782 52 151, 000 754 2.2 275 8.8 .0025 150 22 ppm Al; 7.5 ppm Zn. 271, 330 2,870 7,010 92,200 3,650 1,050 20 162, 000 2,310 5.4 27 .06 .0042 141 14 ppm Al; 17 ppm Zn. 152, 114 7,823 1,844 48,3 14 92,658 1,396 52 288 135, 355 7,963 2,227 41,3 91 82, 270 1,421 83 550 4.0 ppm F; 12 ppm B. 258, 706 1,650 1,589 97,2 00 155,314 2,927 26 27 10, 373 1,550 184 2,280 77 4,350 1,760 .62 132 3.7 .0011 48 1 ppm Zn. CO to

11-

EXPLANATION 10-

9-

Radial scale in milligrams of calcium per liter 0.1 g per cc Total salinity

7- 2.0 percent Percentage of ions combining as calcium sulfate

6- bfl

5- 03 O 4-

3-

2- 0.2 g per cc -

1-

Change of scale.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 200 300 400 C1~:S04

FIGURE 7. Calcium, calcium sulfate, and salinity content compared to calcium to magnesium and chlorine to sulfate concentration ratios in Panhandle field brines. URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS

show the radium, calcium, total salinity, and calcium bedded with the evaporites. Or they may represent sulphate contents of the individual brine samples meteoric water which has percolated downward through as a function of their calcium to magnesium and chlo­ the evaporite sequence prior to accumulation of the rine to sulfate concentration (weight) ratios. The gases in the reservoir rocks. diagrams show that both radium and calcium are en­ The radium data discussed above are analyses of Ka226, riched in brine samples having high chlorine to sulfate a decay product in the uranium series that has a half ratios and high salinities. The parallel enrichment of life of 1620 years. There are three other naturally oc­ radium and calcium in these waters probably can be curring radium isotopes in the Panhandle field brines: attributed to the fact that both elements, as members of Ra223, Ka224, and Ra228. Ra223 has a half life of 11.7 days the alkaline-earth family, have similar chemical prop­ and is a decay product in the actinium series. Ra224 and erties, are more soluble as the chloride than as the sul­ Ra228 have half lives of 3.64 days and 6.7 years, respec­ fate, and may tend to form similar complex ions. Ion tively, and are decay products in the thorium series. exchange reactions with interstitial clay, organic sub­ Analyses of these short-lived radium isotopes in brine stances, and other materials in the rocks may also have samples from two wells (table 9) show that significant an important influence on the radium and calcium con­ amounts of the radium isotopes are present in the centrations in the waters. Inasmuch as calcium is a waters. The uranium contents of these brines are in­ major constituent of the reservoir rock, the calcium con­ sufficient to support the radium. The relative concen­ tent of a brine is probably determined by the relative trations of the radium isotopes consequently provide a concentrations of other ions in solution. In particular, basis for estimating the time that they have been in solu­ the sulfate ion concentration seems to be important, and tion. At radioactive equilibrium Ra226 equals Ra223, and contouring of the analytical data suggests that the Ra228 equals Ra224 when expressed in "equivalent" units. brines are saturated with calcium sulfate (fig. 7). This (See headnote, table 9, for definition of equivalent saturation would be expected because anhydrite is an units.) Calculation shows that for the brine from well abundant reservoir mineral that is probably always 455 the disequilibrium age (the time since the isotopes present in excess of the amount that could dissolve in were in equilibrium) of the Ra226 and Ra223 is about 5 the brine. days, and the age of the Ra228 and Ra224 is about 4 days. The distribution of the radium in the brines (fig. 6) Similarly the data for the brine from well 316 show a does not suggest the presence of reservoir rocks that are disequilibrium age of about 15 days for the Ra226 and very highly enriched in uranium. Brines having ap­ Ra223 and 2 days for the Ra228 and Ra224. The samples proximately the same chemical compositions also have were 1 day old when they were analyzed. Allowing for radium concentrations that are to within one order of this time interval and the time required for the brines magnitude of one another, despite the fact the brine to flow from the reservoir rock into the boreholes (about samples were taken from different wells. The sample 4 days), the results indicate that the radium isotopes with the highest radium concentration (ISGOXlO^12 were derived from parent radioelements existing in the curies per liter) comes from a well where the reservoir rock pores in the immediate vicinity of the wells. rocks contain uraniferous asphaltite; however, the ra­ dium content of this sample is only about five times that TABLE 9. Isotopic composition of radium in brines from two of brines of similar composition. wells in the Pandandle field Analyses by J. N. Rosholt, Jr. The data are expressed in terms of the equivalent Figures 6 and 7 show that the salinity of the brines amounts of uranium and thorium that would be in equilibrium with the observed concentrations of their respective radium daughter products (Rosholt, 1954)]. decreases with an increasing calcium to magnesium Milligram equivalents per liter 1 ratio and decreasing chlorine to sulfate ratio. The de­ Wett 455 Well S16 crease in salinity probably is a result of dilution of Ra226. ______4.23 0.096 highly saline connate brines either by encroaching ______- 3.1 .04 Ra228- .____.___.__._-_-_------1.7 .037 ground water having low salinity, by condensation of Ra224- ______._._._._ .73 .026 water vapor in boreholes of the gas wells, or by leakage of artesian water from above the casing points of the The ratio of Ra228 and Ra226 is 0.40 for well 455 and wells. 0.39 for well 316. These values should approximate the The highly saline brines of the Panhandle field are ratio of thorium to uranium at the source of the radium. most likely derived from the evaporites of Leonard age, which overlie the oil and gas reservoir rocks. They URANIFEROUS ASPHALTITE may represent bitterns which were incorporated during The search for the parent radioelements of the radon deposition of the rocks and were released through subse­ and helium in the Panhandle field resulted in the dis­ quent compaction of the thick shales that are inter- covery of a uranium-bearing carbonaceous material, G34 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

EXPLANATION

Location of wells in which uraniferous asphaltite Outline of major uplift is in rocks of Permian age Only part of the known occurrences in the western part of the Panhandle field have been plotted

FIGURE 8. Regional distribution of uraniferous asphaltite in the Texas Panhandle and adjacent areas. termed "asphaltite," in drill cuttings of the reservoir asphaltite, whereas studies of polished surfaces indicate and cap rocks of the gas field. that the arsenic, cobalt, and nickel are present in min­ The asphaltite is a metalliferous carbonaceous min- eral inclusions finely disseminated within the asphaltite. eraloid that occurs as botryoidal nodules and impreg­ X-ray analyses of the asphaltite have shown the pres­ nations filling secondary pore spaces and fractures. It ence of uraninite, chloanthite-smaltite, xenotime, anhy­ is a black solid brittle, highly lustrous substance, com­ drite, pyrite, dolomite, celestite, quartz, and graphitic bustible at high temperatures and insoluble in organic carbon. Erythrite, the hydrous cobalt arsenate reagents. The hardness ranges from 4 to 5, the aver­ "bloom," has been observed on one sample but it had age specific gravity is 1.3, and the index of refraction is evidently formed after the sample had been obtained about 1.7. from the well. The asphaltite is enriched with arsenic, uranium, Uranium-bearing asphaltite is present throughout cobalt, and nickel. Autoradiographs indicate that the the stratigraphic sequence studied as part of this investi­ uranium is rather evenly distributed throughout the gation. It is sparsely disseminated throughout the URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G35 lower part of the "Brown dolomite," "Moore County inadequate. In a mineralogical sense, the substances lime," "granite wash," and fractured parts of the Pre- can be grouped together as carbonaceous or organic cambrian complex. It is most abundant in drill cuttings "mineraloids." This term, revived by Levorsen (1954), from the "Red Cave" and the upper part of the "Pan­ was originally introduced by Rogers (1937, p. ix) who handle lime." Plate 2 illustrates the distribution of defined it as follows: "Naturally occurring amorphous asphaltite in the western part of the Panhandle field. substances with chemical compositions and physical Uraniferous asphaltite has also been observed in these properties less definite than those of crystalline miner­ rocks where they are exposed along the north flank of als are considered as mineraloids." the Wichita Mountains (fig. 8), in drill samples from It is informative when describing these types of ma­ numerous wells along the north side of the uplift, and terials to modify the description with some petrologic from wells in the Palo Duro basin. term describing their shape or their relation to the host Of possible genetic significance is weakly uraniferous rock. Most solid carbonaceous mineraloids occur either organic material in oil-producing dolomites and shales as nodules, as vein or fracture fillings, as impregna­ of the upper part of the "Panhandle lime" in the Anton tions, or rarely as lenses, layers, or pseudomorphs. The oil field in the Palo Duro basin (well 7, fig. 9). The nodular variety is the most characteristic form of oc­ dolomites and black shales contain graptolites and other currence of the uranium-bearing carbonaceous miner­ fossil marine-plant remains throughout a thickness of aloids. The nodules frequently possess a botryoidal 400 feet. Some samples of the plant remains contain or warty surface, and in the writers' experience no nod­ as much as 30 ppm uranium. These organic materials ules of this kind have proved to be nonuroniferous. have been deposited in the same carbonate-evaporite In the absence of detailed knowledge regarding the sequence in which the Panhandle asphaltite occurs and chemistry of these substances, some term of common may represent the type of materials from which the usage is desirable. In this report, the word "asphaltite" asphaltite was derived. is used as a general term embracing all solid amorphous dark, apparently homogeneous carbonaceous mineral­ NOMENCLATURE oids that are physically distinct from surrounding ma­ A variety of names have been introduced into the terials. It is in this sense that "asphaltite" has been literature dealing with the solid forms of carbonaceous used as a mineralogic field term in a large volume of substances, especially substances enriched in heavy met­ literature, and its continued use would appear to be als. Terms that have been used to describe carbona­ justified. Although the word suggests an asphaltic or ceous materials enriched in uranium are: "huminite," petroliferous source material, such a source is not in­ "thucholite," "carburan," "anthraxolite," "carbon," consistent with the observations and conclusions con­ "hydrocarbon," "bitumen," "pyrobitumen," and "as­ cerning the materials described in this report. phaltite." Serious objections can be raised to the use of any of these terms. Use of the words "carbon" and REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE "hydrocarbon" conflicts with their definitions in chem­ Many occurrences of carbonaceous nodules that are ical terminology. The words "thucholite" and "car­ enriched in different metals have been reported in the buran" indicate a more specific association of elements literature. The most unusual of these occurrences is, than is present in many localities. The generic terms perhaps, the nodular thucholite found in pegmatites of "huminite," "anthraxolite," "bitumen," and "asphaltite" Precambrian age of the Parry Sound area, Ontario, imply that the substances were derived from definite Canada. Ellsworth (1928a) was the first to make a de­ source materials, which has in no case been demon­ tailed study of these nodules. Analyses showed them to strated. In addition to these terms, geographic and be enriched in thorium, uranium, vanadium, and rare personal names have been applied to these types of sub­ earths; the chief organic constituents were carbon, oxy­ stances, such as: "albertite," "grahamite," "elaterite," gen, and hydrogen. On the basis of its chemical compo­ and "gilsonite." sition, Ellsworth termed the substance composing the No single convenient name embracing all these mate­ nodules "thucholite." Repeated analyses showed that rials has been widely accepted. The confusion of no­ the chemical composition was variable and that the ma­ menclature results from the fact that little is known terial was not a single mineral but apparently a mixture about the origin of these substances and the nature of of compounds. Because of the nature of its physical oc­ the chemical compounds which compose them. Sys­ currence, Ellsworth believed the thucholite to be a pri­ tems of classification based upon their physiochemical mary mineraloid formed through reaction of uranium properties and ultimate chemical compositions such as and thorium with carbonaceous gases escaping from a Abraham's (1945, p. 56-59) have, thus far, proved to be granite magma. However, a subsequent examination of G36 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

NVIddlSSISSIW NVINVA1ASNN3d NVIOiAOdaO

T3 *;

'*.-»

., o ^

"8 IS c o.2

II L.JL_j__L_^_l__I i i ° i 2 svxai URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G37 one of the pegmatites of the Parry Sound area by nomically the most important deposit of this type Spence (1930) revealed the presence of petroleum and known. A study of this material as well as of similar asphalt seeps within the dike. Spence noted that the materials from several occurrences in Australia, Eng­ thucholite in the dike was most abundant in proximity land, and Canada was made by Davidson and Bowie to cross-fractures containing the oil and asphalt seeps. (1951), who concluded that the "hydrocarbon-uraninite The thucholite nodules were in many places associated complexes" had been formed as the result of polymeri­ with pockets of minerals containing uraninite and also zation of hydrocarbon gases by radiation from previ­ occurred as pseudomorphs in which thucholite appeared ously deposited uranium. Analysis of a gas from faults to have replaced uraninite. Other relationships in­ in underground workings in the Witwatersrand reefs cluded veinlets of thucholite cutting fractured minerals. showed 8.3 percent helium, 13.9 percent nitrogen, 76.6 Spence suggested that the thucholite had been formed percent methane, 0.5 percent argon, 0.2 percent oxygen, from petroleum which had seeped into the dike and had 0.4 percent carbon dioxide and 0.1 percent hydrogen been polymerized by the effects of radiation from ura­ (Bowie, 1958). nium and thorium minerals to form the nodules. Hess (1922) reported uranium-bearing nodules in Thucholite, apparently similar to that described by sandstones of the San Raf ael Swell, Utah, and regarded Ellsworth and Spence, has since been reported from a them as being of detrital origin. Later Gott and Erick- large number of localities on the Canadian shield. son (1952) suggested that the uranium and other metals Ellsworth (1928a, b) originally reported thucholite present in these nodules had been introduced by from four widely separated localities in eastern Canada. petroleum. A tabulation by Lang (1952) mentions the presence of From a reconnaissance study of uranium and trace thucholite in a number of uranium districts on the Ca­ metals in crude oil, asphalt, and petroliferous rocks, nadian shield of Saskatchewan and the Northwest Ter­ Erickson and others (1954) showed that uranium and ritories, Canada. The thucholite is reported to occur in a characteristic suite of other trace metals, notably nick­ quartz veins, frequently with pyrite and pitchblende; el, vanadium, cobalt, copper, zinc, and lead, were con­ however, no detailed studies have been made of it in sistently associated in the ashes of crude oil, asphalt, these areas. and asphaltite from many different localities. The Uranium-bearing carbonaceous nodules similar to greatest enrichment of these metals in the petroleum thucholite have also been reported in pegmatites of was found to be in the heavy surface-active fraction Karelia, Russia, where the material has been termed which adheres to the surface of the rock. The results "carburan" (Labuntsov, 1939; Grigoriev, 1935). A suggested that petroleum might be an important agent "carbonaceous uraninite" from a granite pegmatite in in the formation of some types of uranium deposits, but Fukuoka prefecture, Japan, has also been described the authors pointed out that further research on the (Kimura and limuri. 1937). nature of metallic compounds soluble in petroleum was Uranium-bearing carbonaceous substances have been required to evaluate the significance of petroleum as a known for nearly a century in Sweden where they have possible transporting agent of these metals. been described by a number of investigators. A review Uraniferous, but noncarbonaceous, nodules that are of the data of this early literature is given by Davidson similar in several respects to those occurring in red beds andBowie (1951). of the Texas Panhandle field have been found in red Grip and Odman (1944) have described thucholite beds of Permian age of Great Britain, and have been nodules in quartz lenses and veins in Precambrian anda- studied by a number of investigators (Carter, 1931; lusite rocks at Boliden, Sweden. Drill holes in the Perutz, 1939; and Ponsford, 1954,1955). As originally vicinity of the thucholite nodules discharge unusual described by Carter (1931), these nodules occur in red amounts of helium-rich hydrocarbon gases. Analyses marlstones, and consist of a hard, black nucleus sur­ of the gases from a number of drill holes showed they rounded by a bleached greenish-white halo. Concentric contained from 2.3 to 5.4 percent helium, 22.9 to 36.6 black bands are often present in the bleached area, and percent nitrogen, 59.6 to 68.8 percent methane, and small a photograph by Ponsford (1954) shows the presence of amounts of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, well-developed liesegang rings surrounding the nucleus and hydrogen sulfide. Grip and Odman proposed that of a nodule from a core sample. Analyses of these nod­ the thucholite nodules had resulted from polymeriza­ ules (Carter, 1931) show that the black nucleus con­ tion of the hydrocarbon gases by radiations from ura­ sists of a silty matrix that is enriched in vanadium, nium minerals. uranium, cobalt, and nickel. Niccolite (MAs) was The thucholite or uranium-bearing carbonaceous ma­ identified in the nucleus, and analyses of the red and terial in the Witwatersrand reefs of South Africa is eco­ white parts of the rock by Perutz (1939) indicated G38 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY that ferric iron had been removed from the bleached The large nodules are formed through intergrowth halos and redeposited at their external boundaries. of many small ones as is shown by figures 10 and 11. Uraniferous nodules that are similar to those de­ The numerous small nodules are of approximately the scribed above also have been reported in red mudstones same dimension as the pores of the rocks in which they of the Sibley Series of Precambrian age in Canada occur. This similarity indicates that the asphaltite (Tanton, 1948). Still another occurrence may be pres­ originated as dispersed globules or films of an organic ent in the red beds of Permian age of Saxony, Germany fluid which had permeated these rocks. The veinlet (Schreiter, 1925), although the presence of uranium was type of asphaltite likewise consists of a series of small not investigated. These occurrences are of interest with and closely packed nodules along the length of the respect to the uraniferous nodules described in this veinlet (fig. 11). report in that they suggest that uranium, vanadium, The specific gravity of the nodules ranges from 1.26 nickel, cobalt, and arsenic may be deposited in red beds to 1.53 and averages about 1.3 (table 12). The range of lithology similar to those described here without the in specific gravity is due to variations in metal content. aid of an organic medium. When the weight that can be attributed to the average metal content of the nodules is subtracted from their PHYSICAL, PROPERTIES average specific gravity, a residual specific gravity of The uraniferous asphaltite in the Panhandle field oc­ about 1.1 is obtained which probably represents the curs in intergranular secondary pore spaces and frac­ density of the organic phase. tures. Morphologically, two varieties of asphaltite are present: relatively large nodules as much as 1 inch in diameter characterized by irregular and botryoidal shapes, and small nodules that are characterized by high sphericity and are generally less than 0.1 mm in diameter. Nodules 1 to 3 mm in diameter constitute most (by volume) of the asphaltite seen in the drill cuttings (table 10). The most numerous nodules, how­ ever, are less than 0.1 mm in diameter (table 11).

TABLE 10. Size distribution of asphaltite nodules from the reservoir and cap rocks of the western part of the Panhandle field

Nodules

Diameter (millimeters) Lithology Total <1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5

Distribution (percent of total)

324 93 3 3 1 0 279 94 4 2 0 1 Arkose 107 93 6 1 0 0 710 94 4 2 1 1 6 26 59 4 5

TABLE 11. Fine-size distribution of asphaltite nodules from the reservoir and cap rocks of the western part of the Panhandle field

Nodules

Diameter (millimeters) Lithology Total <0.1 0.1- 0.2- 0.3- 0.4- >0.5 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5

Distribution (percent of total)

Limestone, anhydrite, dolomite .... 302 43 19 12 6 6 14 264 48 !9 12 5 3 13 101 41 17 15 12 6 9 FIGURE 10. A, Dense anhydritic oolitic dolomite from the "Bed Cave" containing disseminated nodules of asphaltite, well 825a. X 9.8. B, Total...... _____ .. 667 45 19 12 7 5 12 Asphaltite nodule from the "Red Cave" showing botryoidal structure, weU 832. X 5. URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G39

| tv

D

FIGURE 11. Asphaltite in porous crystalline dolomite from a major gas-producing zone in the "Brown dolomite," well 623. A, Veinlets filled with closely packed asphal. tite nodules. X 4.9. B, Autoradiograph of A on alpha-sensitive film. Sharply bounded black areas are due to uraniferous asphaltite, and diffuse areas are due to radon emanated from the pores. (Exposure time 8 weeks.) C, An enlarged part of A showing relation of asphaltite (as) to residual oil. X 12.6. D, An enlarged part of A showing apparent replacement of chert (c) and dolomite (d) by asphaltite (as). X 12.6.

Polished-section studies indicate that the asphaltite TABLE 12. Specific gravity and size of some asphaltite nodules has a variable hardness ranging from 4 to 5 on Mohs from drill cuttings, western part of the Panhandle field scale. Most of the nodules break with a conchoidal or Nodules platy fracture, but some fracture along radial or con­ Well (pi. 1) Specific Mean centric lines. The carbonaceous matrix of the nodules Weight gravity in diameter (mg) toluene at (mm) is neutral gray in reflected light, slightly pleochroic in 30° C reflected polarized light, and moderately anisotropic. S42______1. 33±0. 02 0.67 Amber-colored internal reflections originating from 623___._ -__-____-______-__. _ -_-_ ...... 389 1.33±0.02 .74 1. 53±0. 02 1.09 metallic minerals buried just below the plane of the 887a____-__.____ _ . ._ _.______1.231 1. 30±0. 02 1.37 887a___-__-______.______1.815 1. 26±0. 02 1.68 polished surface are common within the carbonaceous .634 matrix. When finely powdered, the material transmits 401_____ .______.... ______.198 1. 32±0. 02 amber light at thicknesses of less than 2 microns, and the index of refraction averages about 1.7. Organic analyses show the asphaltite to be made up of 78 to 80 percent carbon, 3 to 6 percent hydrogen, COMPOSITION AND MINERALOGY more than 3 percent oxygen, and as much as 0.43 per­ Approximately 90 percent of the uraniferous as­ cent nitrogen (table 13). The presence of oxygen and phaltite is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen; nitrogen suggests that the organic source material of the remainder consists chiefly of metals, notably arsen­ the asphaltite consisted in part of complex organic ic, uranium, nickel, cobalt, and iron. compounds as well as hydrocarbons. The most prob- G40 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 13. Organic analyses, in percent, of asphattite nodules from the western part of the Panhandle field [Analyses by Clark Mlcroanalytlcal Laboratory, Urbana, 111.]

Elevation Sample of sample Hydro­ Well (pi. 1) (table 14) Interval Stratigraphic unit Lithology of host rock Ash Carbon gen Oxygen Sulfur Nitrogen above sea level (feet)

825a--._._- ___- 3 1492-1462 5.39 77.63 3.59 3.41 0.00 Tr. ary anhydrite. 18 1292-1262 10.93 79.86 5.91 cemented with secondary anhy­ drite. 832.. -...... 10.97 79.88 5.61 .43

able source of oxygen- and nitrogen-bearing compounds have been partially destroyed by radiation damage dur­ are asphaltenes, resins, and organic acids found in ing conversion to asphaltite. petroleum and associated brine. Infrared analyses of the uraniferous asphaltite and Petrographic and X-ray studies suggest that the the red organic material also indicate the presence of uraniferous asphaltite has formed from a nonuranifer- aliphatic structures (Pierce, Mytton, and Barnett, ous red organic material with which it sometimes oc­ 1958). Both materials contain infrared absorption curs. The spatial relation of these two materials is bands that are due to aliphatic carbon-hydrogen shown on figure 124. where a veinlet of the red organic groups. A possibly significant feature of the infrared material, which is highly fluorescent, grades into urani­ patterns is the presence in both materials of weak ferous asphaltite. Secondary anhydrite occurs inter- carbonyl absorption bands which suggests that the stitially with uraniferous asphaltite but not with the materials may have been derived in part from organic red organic material. The paragenetic sequence sug­ acids or esters occurring in the petroleum and petro­ gests that the asphaltite has formed from the red or­ leum brine. These types of compounds often possess ganic material and implies that the uranium was intro­ strong polarities and are attracted to oil-water and oil- duced by the aqueous solutions from which the anhy­ mineral interfaces (for example, see Bartell and Nieder- drite was deposited. hauser, 1946). The manner in which the red organic material occurs Significant concentrations of arsenic, uranium, cobalt, suggests that it was adsorbed from oil or precipitated nickel, and iron occur in the asphaltite (table 14). Cop­ from brine that permeated the rock. A study of its per, silver, lead, vanadium, bismuth, molybdenum, and chemical properties by X-ray diffraction and infrared rare earths are enriched to a lesser degree. spectroscopy indicates that it is related to the uranifer­ X-ray crystallographic identifications show that the ous asphaltite. asphaltite contains anhydrite, dolomite, celestite, quartz, X-ray studies of both the red organic material and uraninite, chloanthite-smaltite, xenotime, pyrite, and the uraniferous asphaltite show the diffuse halo pat­ graphitic carbon. (See table 14.) The identifications terns characteristic of armorphous- carbonaceous sub­ conform well with the spectrographic data inasmuch as stances. Two sets of diffraction halos are present in the most frequently occurring metals in the asphaltite X-ray powder patterns of both materials. One set of constitute the minerals identified. Other metallic min­ halos has "d" spacings of 3.4 and 2.0 angstroms and is erals that have been observed in intimate association attributed to graphitic carbon (for example, see Clark, with, but not as inclusions in, the asphaltite, are galena, 1955). The other set of halos have "d" spacings of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and native copper. A few about 4.8 and 2.2 angstroms that correspond to the ex­ nodules from the "Red Cave" are composed largely of pected spacings for halos produced by aliphatic C-C smaltite-chloanthite with minor amounts of asphaltite. bonds with lengths of 1.54 angstroms (for example, see Simard and Warren, 1936). This set of halos is more Tiny isolated cubes of skutterudite ((Co,Ni)As3) were intense in the red organic material than in the uranifer­ found in one core sample of hematitic shale from the ous asphaltite; the relation suggests that these structures "Red Cave." URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G41

FIGURE 12. Relation of anhydrite and nodular asphaltite to red organic material in oolitic dolomite from the "Panhandle lime," well 825a. A, White-light photograph of anhydrite (A n) and nodular asphaltite (As) in oolitic dolomite. X 11.7. B, Ultraviolet light photograph of specimen A showing asphaltite (As), anhydrite (An), and fluorescent red organic material (white). X 10.7. G42 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

TABLE 14. Spectrographic, radiometric, and X-ray crystallographic [ Spectrographic analyses by A. T. Myers and P. J. Dunton, radiometric analyses by J. N. Rosholt, Jr.; X-ray crystallpgraphic analyses by W. F. Outerbridge and Evelyn Cisney, all with the U.S. Geological Survey. The elements are arranged according to their periodic chemical families (Moellar, 1952). Elements which were detected, but not listed in the table are: 0.0x~ Gd and O.OOOx- Be in sample 4; trace of Nb in sample 11; O.Ox Ge in sample 26; O.Ox Zn, O.OOx Sn, and O.OOOx Ga in sample 27; and O.OOOX+ Ga in sample 28. The analyses were made with substandard amounts of sample. eU, equivalent uranium, is denned as "the ratio of the net counting rate of

Sample interval Sample Well (elevation Stratigraphic unit Na K Cu Ag Ca Mg Sr Ba Sc Al B Ti (pi. 1) above sea level, in feet)

0.x- 1 ...... 231 1338-1328 0 0 0 Ox+ o. ooox- X.+ 0.x O.OOx 0 }£ 0 O.OX- 2...- _ ..... 751 '« 1629-1609 -do 0 0 .OX .OOOx- x+ 0 flflT 0 X 0 .00x+ 3... _ .... 825a -do... X~ 0 .00x+ .OOOx- .OOOx .00x+ .000x+ x~ 0 X~ 4 . 887a 1408-1398 - do Ox .OOOOX+ .x+ .OOx- .Ox .OOx X ~~ .00x+ 6.. 487 I 14QQ llfiO 0 Ox Tr. Ox~ .Ox+ .OOx- Tr. .Ox lime." 6 _ - __ ...... OOx 0 699a 0 0 .Ox Tr. j^ OOx Ox 0 .Ox-.Ox 7 739 > 1565-1385 - .do 0 0 .OX+ .OOOX+ X. .x+ .OOx .OOx 0 .X 0 .OOOX+ .x~ .Ox- 8 .--- . 815 » 1441-1081 - ..do... 0 0 .OX X. x~ 0.Ox- 0 .X 0 .Ox 9... _ 871 -do - .OX+ 0 OOx XX .00x+ 0 }£ .OOx X ~~ Ox~ 10 _ _ 890a 1535-1345 do 0 0 0 .OOx 0 5£ 0 11 20b 677-667 0 0 OX" .ooox- .OOx .OOOx 0 .OOx .OOx .OOx-

12 _ ...... 736 987 977 do 0 flflY OOOx .Ox flflY 0 .OOOx 0 Ox 0 .OOOx 13.... 736 1 1fKV7 Qfi7 do... }£ 0 OOx OOOx ^ J^ Ox .OX 0 .OOx .OOx 14 .... . 748 do 0 .OOx 0 ^ .OX .OOx .OOx 0 .OX 0 .OOx 15 _ 814 1 1 QQ_1 1 CO .do 0 OOx OOOx .OX .OX .OOx 0 .OX 0 .OOx 1 1489-1389 do X.* .Ox+ 16 814 0 0 .OX 0 }£ 0 .OOx- 0 0 .Ox- 17 818 1 1477-1367 - do 0 0 .OX .OOOx- XX J^ Ox 0 0 18 825a 1292-1262 .do x 0 Ox .OOOX+ .00x+ .00x+ Tr. .x- 0 .Ox

19 . ..do 0 0 .OOOx- XX .OOx .OOx 0 0 .Ox 20 874 i 1269-1229 .do 0 0 X* .000x+ 0 .OOx- 0 0 .OX

21 _ 894 1 1461-1361 - do 0 0 x .OOOX+ .Ox+ .Ox- 0 .X .OOx .OX 22 _ .. 896 1268-1258 do 0 Ox .OOOx .OX .OOX 0 .X Tr. .OX

23 897 1408-1398 -do -.- 0 0 .OX+ .OOOx- }£ .OX+ .Ox+ 0 .X 0 .OX 24 897 1388-1378 -do 0 0 OOx 0 .OX 0 .OX 0 .OOx 26 7AQ ' 1542 1052 0 0 Ox 0 Ox 0 0 .00x+ dolomite." .OX- .Ox- .Ox- 26... _ 487 QQQ QQQ 0 0 0 0 ^ .OOOx 0 .00x+ .OOx

27 - 896 1128-1115 - do }£ X. .OOx X. 0 .X Ox Tr. .OX- .OX- .OX- 28»~ __ 231 i 628-378 x+ X ~ 00x+ OOOx- XX XX .OOOX+ X. + .x+ County lime."

1 Composite sample. 2 Consists of heavy asphaltic coatings. The X-ray diffraction films of 17 asphaltite samples Three varieties of dispersed metallic mineral inclu­ and the trace metal content of the samples indicate that sions are seen in polished surfaces of the asphaltite nod­ chloanthite-smaltite and possibly uraninite are consist­ ules. The most abundant of these mineral dispersions ently present as mineral inclusions, but in variable generally form "nebular" patterns concentric to the crystal sizes and amounts. Both the crystal sizes and center of the asphaltite nodule as is shown in figure 13. the concentration of the crystals limit the intensity of The individual crystals, probably chloanthite-smaltite, the diffraction pattern recorded. Mineralographic have a brassy luster and range in diameter from 1 to 2 studies indicate that the crystals range gradationally microns to a dimension below the resolving power of from approximately 2 microns to a dimension below the the microscope. Exposure of the polished surfaces of resolving power of the microscope. the nodules to nuclear emulsions shows that the areas of Measurements of the uraninite lattice constants in these dispersions are less radioactive than the rest of the several X-ray diffraction patterns of the asphaltites all nodule. Figure 13A shows a sample containing a high gave cell edges of 5.46 angstroms; this measurement concentration of the mineral inclusions. When this corresponds to uraninite composed of pure uranium sample was coated with nuclear emulsion, almost no oxide (UO2) (Katz and Kabinovitch, 1951). alpha tracks were recorded above the central metallic URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G43 analyses of asphaltite nodules from the western part of the Panhandle field a sample to the counting rate per percent of a uranium standard in equilibrium with all of its disintegration products, both "measured1 under similar geometry" (Eosholt, 1954). Mineral identification was based upon X-ray diffraction patterns obtained from sample splits. x+., x., and x.- means 4.64 to 10, 2.15 to 4.64, and 1.0 to 2.15 per­ cent respectively; O.X+, 0.x, and 0.x- means 0.464 to 1.0,0.215 to 0.464, and 0.10 to 0.215 percent respectively, and so forth, p, present as indicated by uranium flux test, but in amounts too small to be detected spectrographically.

Zr Si Pb V AS Bi Cr Mo Mn Fe Ni Co Y Yb u eU Minerals identified

0 O.Ox- O.OOx- O.Ox- O.OOx 0.x O.X O.xi- 0.x p 0.15 00x~ .Ox 0 .00x1- 00 x~ 0 .OOxi- Ox 0 0 p .34 carbon, quartz. .Ox- OOOxi- .00x1- Oxi- .Ox- X.O .03 .OOx OOx 0 .Ox .Ox .OOxOx~ .6 .Ox .0x1- .Ox .0x1- OOx OOxi- .00x+ x+ ^ quartz, pyrite. X~ X .000x1- .Ox- XX 0 0 .00x1- .Ox- x OOx 1.0 lyzed. OOx 0 0 0 0 00x~ .0x1- X~~ .0X1- .OOx .5 Do. 00x~ .Ox 0 x Ox~ 00x~ 0 .00x1- x~ Ox~ flft-r- .11 00x~ 00x~ Oxi- 0 0 .00x1- .00x1- OOx 0 0 P .18 OOx .Ox- 00x~ x 1- .Ox .OOOx OOx nn-r x .OOx .21 OOx .0x1- 0 .Ox 00x~ 0 .OOx Ox* X1" x~ x .OOx Tr. .04 x~ 00x~ OOx .OOx OOx XX 0 nnfiir .Ox Ox~ ^ Ox 5-10 lyzed. 0 Tr. 0 0 Tr. 0 0 OOx .Ox .Ox .OOx 0 0 .2± Do. 0 -OOOx 0 OOx nnriv Tr. OOx .Ox .Ox 0 Tr. . 01-0. 1 Do. 0 Tr. 0 0 OOx 0 0 OOx Ox Ox .Ox 0 0 P .l±.l Do. 0 DOT Tr. OOx 0 OOx OOx .Ox nn-r 0 .7 .77 Do. .00x1- 0 0 .Ox- 00x~ 0 OOx xi- .0X1- 0 0 .Ox .45 00x~ 0 0 x 1- Ox~ 00x~ .Ox- .00x1- x+ X* .OOx x .13 carbon, quartz. .00x+ x nd Ox~ .00x+ 00x~ OOx .Ox- Oxi- .Ox- g chloanthite-smaltite. nn-r- 0 0 00x~ Tr. 00x~ xi- x+ .Ox .OOx- Tr. .26 quartz. .00x1- 0 .00x1- X 1" .0x1- 00x~ .00x+ .OOX+ X* Ox~ 00x~ .33 dolomite. nn-r Ox~ nn-r .Ox- 00x~ .000x+ OOx .Ox }£ .35 0 OOx Tr. .Ox 0 OOx 0 1.6 1.5 lyzed. OOx 0 0 .Ox+ nn-r- .Ox- nnnvH .00x1- Ati 0 X, .OOx 0 x. .Ox 0 .OOx .OOOx .Ox .X .Ox .Ox 0 .2 .2 Sample was not ana­ lyzed. OOx 0 0 .Ox- nn-r- 0 .00x1- .000x1-

.000x1- .Ox+ 0 .Ox 0 0 .OOx 0 0 .0x1- 0 0 0 0 lyzed. .OOx OOx Do. Ox~ .Ox 0 0 Ox 0 Ox .Ox OOx 0 P .Ox .Ox- 0 0 -Ox .Ox- 00 X" OOx fWlflv P 019

part of the nodule, although numerous alpha tracks man (1944), and are similar to features noted by the originated from the surrounding organic material. \vriters in a botryoidal "thucholite" nodule obtained by Another type of fine-sized mineral segregations in the Henry Faul from a diamond-drill core of rhyolite from nodules are patchy areas that appear to be made up the Sudbury district, Ontario, Canada (fig. 14 C, D). largely of fine mineral-filled capillaries or pores (fig. X-ray diffraction patterns of the Sudbury nodule indi­ 14u4, /?). The capillaries are tubular in shape, about a cate the mineral inclusions present in the capillary micron in diameter, several microns in length and are structures of this specimen to be composed of uraninite systematically arranged. Minute metallic mineral fill­ and coffinite. The capillary structures of the Sudbury ings are visible in some of the capillaries, and scratches nodule are more extensive than those in the Panhandle originating in the vicinity of these areas indicate that nodules and occupy nearly the entire volume of the polishing has removed minerals from them. Nuclear nodule. The uranium content of the Sudbury nodule emulsion exposures indicate that the metallic fillings is also greater, being approximately 6 percent as com­ are radioactive and may be uraninite. These areas re­ pared to an uranium content of approximately 0.2 per­ semble the "fingerprint structure" of the nodular thu- cent in the Panhandle nodules represented by figure cholite of Boliden, Sweden, described by Grip and Od- B. G44 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

FIGURE 13. Polished sections of asphaltite nodules showing "nebular" dispersions of smaltite-chloanthite(7). Dark field illumination. A, Nodule from "Red Cave," well 825a. X 81. B, Nodule from "Panhandle lime," well 897. X 57.7. C, Enlargement of a part of B. X 94.5. A third type of mineral inclusion is crystal frag­ The close association of nodular asphaltite with sec­ ments of pyrite in the peripheral parts of some of the ondary anhydrite suggests that it was formed contem­ asphaltite nodules. The crystals were fractured and poraneously with the introduction of sulfate-bearing floated apart in the asphaltite prior to its solidification, solutions. Both asphaltite and anhydrite fill fractures as is shown on figure 15. and solution cavities and thus clearly formed after con­ The uraniferous asphaltite nearly always occurs in solidation of the rocks. or is intimately associated with secondary cements in­ Many of the asphaltite nodules appear to replace the cluding anhydrite, celestite, and to a lesser degree silica, host rock, particularly the dolomite (figs. 1(L4, 11). pyrite, residual oil stains, and asphalt. It is most com­ The nodules may have formed by a process of molecular monly associated with secondary anhydrite which fills replacement of the surrounding rock but more prob­ pores (fig. 16^4, B) or fractures (fig. 17) or which oc­ ably were deposited in a cavity that was continuously curs as intergranular cement in siltstone (fig. 17B). enlarged by solution around the periphery of the nod- URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G45

/* ' ' '""^ " .. y**-i^''-** *'fj-M*

A, Nodule from the "Panhandle lime", well 897, S, Nodule from the'' Panhandle lime", well 897, showing "capillary" structure and shrinkage showing systematic arrangement and tubular cracks. X 920. shapes of "capillary" structures. X 920. p^^-a V»Sa

C, Nodule from a drill core of rhyolite, Sudbury Dt Nodule from a drill core of rhyolite, Sudbury district, Ontario, Canada, showing'' capillary" district, Ontario, Canada, showing systematic structures and shrinkage cracks. X 920. arrangement and tubular shapes of capillary structures. X 920. FIOUKE 14. A comparison of "capillary" structures in asphaltite nodules from the west Panhandle field and the Sudbury district, Ontario. thenic and phenolic acids. It seems possible that the replacement effects could be the result of a similar process. Many of the nodules that occur in the shale of the "Red Cave" are surrounded by green halos which con­ trast sharply with the red shale (figs. 18.4, B). The color change is evidently due to reduction of ferric oxides. Anhydrite nodules surrounded by green halos were also observed in red dolomitic siltstones of the "Red Cave." An X-ray analysis of one sample showed that the rock composing the halo consisted of quartz and clay minerals, whereas the rock beyond the halo con­ tained major amounts of dolomite as well. A small amount of uraninite and uraniferous asphaltite occur at the boundary of the anhydrite nodule. The min- FIGURE IS. Cataclastic pyrite crystals in an asphaltite nodule from the "Panhandle eralogic relations suggest that the uraninite and as­ lime," well 807. Dark-field illumination. X 204.5. phaltite were deposited contemporaneously with the ule. Experiments by Royer (1930) have shown that anhydrite from solutions that were dissolving dolomite. crystals of dolomite, calcite, and calimine undergo cor­ Figure 19 shows the association of uraniferous as­ rosion in the presence of petroleum and several natural phaltite with fossiliferous chert. The sample at right organic acids derived from petroleum including naph- contains chalcopyrite in contact with aspltaltite and G46 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

FIGURE 17. Association of asphaltite with secondary anhydrite in samples from the "Red Cave," well 825a. A, Asphaltite (black) and anhydrite (gray) filling frac­ tures in fine-grained dolomite. X 8.4. B, Asphaltite (black) and anhydrite FIGURE 16. Association of asphaltite with secondary anhydrite in dolomite from the (white) in siltstone (gray). "Panhandle lime," well 783a. A, Polished section of mottled gray dolomite con­ taining asphaltite (black) nodules embedded in white crystalline anhydrite. X 12.1. B, Polished section of fine-grained dolomite showing asphaltite nodule (Mack) surrounded by secondary anhydrite (dark gray). X 17.6. derived from petroleum. The uranium and other met­ als were probably largely introduced by aqueous solu­ the sample at left contains galena in contact with as­ tions. phaltite. Pyrite, native copper, and sphalerite are also The estimated average concentration of uranium and associated with the asphaltite in these samples. other metals in asphaltite, crude oil, and brine (table 15) and the ratio of percent metal (the percent of each ORIGIN OF THE ASPHAI/TITE metal among the sum of all the metals present) in the The association of the asphaltite with secondary an­ oil and asphaltite to percent metal in the brine (table hydrite and celestite, its occurrence in fractures and 16) show that the asphaltite and the crude oil tend to solution cavities, its presence in stylolites, and its re­ be selectively enriched in the same group of metals with placement of the host rock show that the asphaltite is reference to the brine. Uranium, arsenic, and cobalt, epigenetic. The similarity in physical and chemical however, are preferentially concentrated in the asphal­ properties between the asphaltite and petroleum deriva­ tite while vanadium is preferentially concentrated in tives as well as the association of the asphaltite with the oil; for this reason the two organic materials, al­ residual oil and natural gas in the Panhandle field sug­ though probably of common origin, seem to have been gests that the organic matrix of the asphaltite was segregated and mineralized separately. URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G47 TABLE 16. Comparison of ratios of percent metal in crude oil and asphattite to percent metal in brine from the Panhandle field

Metal in Metal in oil asphaltite Metal in Metal in brine brine

Na - - 0.5 0 04 Sr 3 .7 B.._- __ _. __ __-_ __ 10 1 Mg__~ ------_------. ... 2 2 K._ - 6 |-200 10,000 As 2,000 20,000 U______. - - - 4,000 1,000,000

Segregation of the asphaltite from petroleum may have occurred in several ways. The asphaltite may rep­ resent water-soluble organic material that was dissolved from petroleum or its source rocks by associated connate brines, and was later precipitated from saturated brines during cementation of the reservoir rocks. Or it may represent a surf ace-active fraction of petroleum that was adsorbed at oil-mineral and oil-water interfaces. Adsorption of metal-bearing fractions of petroleum at oil-water and oil-mineral interfaces has been demon­ strated by Denekas, Carlson, Moore, and Dodd (1951) and by Dunning, Moore, and Denekas (1953). The transformation of the organic material into as­ phaltite is probably the result of polymerization and FIGURE 18. Asphaltite nodules surrounded by halos, in shale. A, Botryoidal dehydrogenation caused by radiations from decay of nodnle in "Red Cave" shale, well 832. X 5.6. B, Asphaltite nodules in shale uranium and its daughter products. Lind (1928) and samples from the "Panhandle lime," well 139. X 4.7. others have demonstrated experimentally that alpha TABLE 15. Estimated average concentration of metals in brine, bombardment of liquid and gaseous organic compounds crude oil, and asphaltite from the Panhandle field converts them to insoluble solids. Such materials are highly crosslinked and may resemble synthetic ion ex­ Concentration, in parts per million, in change resins in their ability to extract metals from Metal Brine Crude oil Asphaltite solutions. It is possible that initial adsorption of small (30 samples) (25 samples) '(26 samples) amounts of uranium by asphaltite may in time have Na...... 44,000 10 3,000 enhanced its ability to pick up more. Ca . __ ... . 2,760 4 30,000 Mg. ______. ___ .. 1,340 .5 4,000 The relation of asphaltite to the host rocks show that K 470 .5 5,000 Sr. ____ . _____ ._ 140 .1 200 it, as well as anhydrite, celestite, and rarely silica, is Fe ...... 70 .5 4.000 Si.... _ . __ . 20 .8 4,000 present as a secondary cement. The secondary anhy­ B ...... 15 .03 40 Zn... __ _ ..... 7 .01 300 drite characteristically replaces dolomite in samples of Ba. .... ____ . _ .. __ ._...... 5 .005 100 Al___ _... __ _ . _ 4 .3 3,000 the carbonate rocks. Uranium and other metals in the Cu...... __ ..... 2 .06 300 Ti.. . . 2 .01 200 asphaltite seem to have been derived from the same Cr ... _. 2 .005 20 V... 1 .7 300 cementing solutions as the secondary anhydrite. The Ni______. . 1 .7 3,000 Zr__. _ __ __ . .... 1 .03 50 interval of rocks near the top of the "Panhandle lime" As.. 1 .5 30.000 Mn-_____ .5 .01 40 and the base of the "Red Cave" contains oolitic dolo­ Pb .1 .005 50 Co _ ___ <.l .005 2,000 mites and siltstones that in many places are completely U .0015 .0015 4.000 cemented with asphaltite-bearing anhydrite and have G48 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY

FIGURE 19. Fossiliferous chert containing disseminated asphaltite from the "Brown dolomite," well 826a. X 2.4. a uranium content of 20 to 200 ppm uranium, most of and other metallic ions would be precipitated as stable which is in the uraniferous asphaltite. Inasmuch as minerals. The uranium may have been introduced into the rocks contain about 20 percent secondary anhydrite, the Panhandle field in this manner. the uranium content of the anhydrite plus asphaltite The abundance of hydrogen in the Panhandle field must be in the range of 100 to 1,000 ppm. The solubil­ gases allows an estimate of the reducing potential. The ity of calcium sulfate ranges from about 2 to 6 g per partial pressure of hydrogen in the gasfield, as calcu­ liter of water, depending on salinity (Seidell, 1940). lated from the hydrogen contents, ranges from about The upper limit for the uranium content of the original 0.003 to 0.06 atmospheres, and the pH of the brines, cementing solutions must, therefore, have been about as measured at the well head, ranges from 5 to 7 (A. S. 0.2 to 6.0 ppm. It is known that concentrated, highly Eogers, written communication, 1956). The Eh of oxidized saline brines tend to be enriched in uranium the environment as calculated from the hydrogen half- relative to other natural waters (Bell, 1960.) It may cell reaction is, then, about 0.2 to 0.4 volts, and is be postulated that if such a brine migrated through sufficient to cause reduction of uranyl, arsenate, and the evaporite sequence into the underlying rocks where sulfate ions, resulting in the formation of uraninite it was subjected to a reducing environment, the uranium arsenides, and sulfides (for example, see Garrels, 1960). URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G49 It has been noted that secondary anhydrite replaces that uranium and its daughter products have been con­ dolomite in the carbonate rocks. This replacement and centrated in the pore spaces where they are easily ac­ the fact that the rocks are part of an evaporite sequence cessible to fluids and gases. indicate that the original cementing solutions were mildly acid magnesium sulfate bitterns and that the RADON IN THE NATURAL GAS magnesium sulfate reacted with calcium carbonate in The radon content of the gas in the western part of the original rock to form dolomite and calcium sulfate. the Panhandle field as measured by Henry Faul and As the calcium sulfate solubility product was exceeded, others (pi. 1) ranges from less than 5 to 1450 X10~12 anhydrite was precipitated. Oxidation potentials may curies per liter, and averages about 100 X10'12 curies per have been such that the change in pH due to the above liter (STP). These measurements have been discussed reaction was sufficient to result in reduction of uranyl previously by Faul and others (1954) and by Sakakura ions by organic materials that were already present in and others (1959). From the study made by Sakakura the rock pores. and others, the above radon concentrations can be ex­ The evidence and assumptions discussed above sug­ plained by reservoir rocks containing 0.1 to 30 ppm ura­ gest that asphaltite and secondary anhydrite deposition nium and averaging about 2 ppm uranium. occurred under more oxidizing conditions than now A contour map showing the relation of the radon and exist in these rocks, but occurred later than lithification helium content of gas to structure (pi. 1) shows that and fracturing. It is estimated on the basis of data ob­ there is no direct relation between the positions of the tained from sample logging that 10 to 30 percent com­ radon and helium anomalies. Radon in excess of paction of the shales and siltstones in "Red Cave" and 100 X 10~12 curies per liter is concentrated in the natural "Panhandle lime" would release a sufficient volume of gas in an extensive area along the north flank of the brine, saturated with magnesium sulfate, to explain the uplift, and conforms roughly to the configuration of the amounts of secondary anhydrite cement now present in structure contours. The extremely high, but isolated, the intervening and underlying carbonate rocks. Ac­ radon anomalies are related to the structurally more cording to the density studies made by Athy (1930a, b) complex areas on both the north and south flanks of the of red beds of Permian age in the Garber, Okla., area, a uplift. 10- to 30-percent compaction of shale would occur by the Because of its short half life, the occurrence of radon time the thickness of overburden reached about a thou­ must correspond to the distribution of its source. The sand feet. Inasmuch as 1,000 to 2,000 feet of Permian distribution of the uraniferous asphaltite and its associ­ rocks overlie the "Red Cave," this process could have ation with radon in gas-producing rocks (pi. 2) show been completed by the end of Permian time. that concentrations of radon in excess of about The uraniferous asphaltite in the lower part of the 100 X10-12 curies Rn222 per liter (STP) are restricted to Clear Fork Group and the upper part of the "Panhan­ gas wells in which the generalized interval of rock that dle lime" is distributed over such a large area that it is mineralized with uraniferous asphaltite overlaps the seems probable that these rocks, particularly the red generalized interval of gas-producing rocks. This rela­ shales and siltstones among the evaporite beds, were tion indicates that the source of the anomalous radon is syngenetically enriched in uranium. The arsenic, co­ uraniferous asphaltite. balt, and nickel that are enriched along with uranium in the asphaltite nodules were also probably derived from HELIUM IN THE NATURAL GAS the same hematitic red shales and siltstones. Conspicu­ Few studies on the geologic occurrence of helium have ous concentrations of these elements, especially arsenic, been made since that of G. S. Rogers (1921). Since are known to result from their coprecipitation with fer­ that time, the increasing volume of data accumulated ric hydroxide in oxidate sediments of evaporite deposits on the radioactivity of rocks lias resulted in the general (Rankama and Sahama, 1950). acceptance of Rogers' assumption that most of the he­ In summary, it appears that uranium has been redis­ lium of natural gas is radiogenic, having been formed tributed and concentrated within the interstices of rocks since the beginning of earth history. However, this through which petroleum and brine have migrated or in assumption cannot be fully proved because escape of which they have accumulated. The redistribution and helium from the earth's atmosphere prevents an esti­ concentration of uranium has been associated in time mation of the primordial helium abundance in the with structural and diagenetic events including compac­ earth. Next to hydrogen, helium is the most abundant tion, fracturing and cementation of the rocks, and con­ cosmic element and large amounts of primordial helium centration of metals in organic materials derived from could conceivably have been trapped in rocks of the petroleum or petroleum waters. The result has been earth's interior and crust. If so, we would expect he- G50 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GE.OLOGY Hum to be greatly enriched in the earth with respect in rocks of the earth's crust (Morrison and Beard, to other inert gases. The available evidence, however, 1949). The comparatively close agreement between the suggests that there is no such enrichment. For exam­ measured and calculated proportions of argon, helium- ple, the cosmic-abundance ratio of helium to argon is 3, and helium-4 that should be present in common about 10* (Green, 1959), whereas natural gas from rocks rocks suggests that the major part of the helium in the have a mean helium to argon ratio of about 10 (Pierce, gas of the Panhandle field is radiogenic. 1955; see also data in Boone, 1958). This difference Radiogenic helium presents the problem of deter­ might be interpreted as the result of preferential loss mining the distribution of the uranium and (or) tho­ of helium at the time of the earth's formation, but an rium sources. The average helium content of the gas alternate explanation of the proportions of helium to in the Panhandle field is about 0.5 percent. Calcula­ argon is suggested by a comparison of their ratio in tion shows that this amount of helium would be gen­ natural gas with the amounts that would be formed in erated since Permian time in reservoir rocks containing average rocks by nuclear processes. either 0.02 percent uranium or 0.1 percent thorium. Al­ The calculated helium-4 to argon-40 ratios resulting though uraniferous asphaltite has been observed in drill from the decay of the uranium, thorium, and potassium samples from the gas reservoir rocks, most of the sam­ present in average carbonate rock, shale, and sandstone ples contain no uraniferous asphaltite, only from 2 to are about 50, 7, and 1, respectively, on the basis of the 4 ppm uranium, and probably not more than three geochemical data given by Green (1959). The ratio times that amount of thorium. It is likely, therefore, for an average igneous rock presumably is close to that that the helium was derived from an external source. of shale because of the similar uranium, thorium, and An investigation of the isotopic composition of argon potassium contents. The helium to argon ratio of 10 in gas from the western part of the Panhandle field by to 20 in the gas of the Panhandle and Cliffside fields Wasserburg (1957) has shown it consists mainly of (table 17) is within the range of ratios calculated for argon-40, the decay product of potassium-40. Explain­ the above rocks and suggests that the helium and argon ing the radiogenic argon (0.1 percent by volume) in the are of radiogenic origin. Panhandle field presents a problem similar to that of The average ratio of the helium isotopes, He3 to He4, helium. Calculation shows that the reservoir rock in the Panhandle field is about 1.5 X10'7 (table 17), as would have to be about 100 percent potassium to supply compared to an average of 1.7X10"7 for the helium in the argon present; the argon, therefore, also must have the natural gas fields that have been investigated (Al- been derived from an external source. drich and Nier, 1948) and to a calculated ratio of The distribution and concentration of helium in the 2X10~7 for helium originating from nuclear reactions Panhandle field are indicative of the direction from which the helium-rich gas has migrated (pi. 1; fig. 20). TABLE 17. Composition of natural gas from the western part of the Panhandle field, the Cliffside field, and the Quinduno field The helium content increases from about 0.1 percent in [Analyses by the U.S. Bureau of Mines (Boone, 1958)] the gas along the eastern end of the field to about 1.9 percent in the zone of en echelon faults which in general Western part of Cliflside Quinduno constitute the southwestern boundary of commercial gas Panhandle field field field" production. The helium content of gas from approxi­ mately the same stratigraphic units continues to in­ Volume percent crease southward 20 miles beyond the boundaries of the

71.6 67.1 80.2 field and reaches a maximum of 2.24 percent (figs. 9,20). 5.4 3.6 7.7 4.3 2.8 5.5 Northward in the Anadarko basin the gas from the .3 .7 .1 .1 .2 .1 "Brown dolomite" in the Quinduno field, however, con­ 17.4 24.8 6.3 .05-.! .1-2 Tr. tains only about 0.15 percent helium (fig. 20). The res­ 1.11 1.79 .14 Tr. Tr. Tr. ervoir pressure in the Quinduno field is about 885 psi and the pressure in the Cliffside field is about 730 psi; Ratio the Panhandle field, which has an initial pressure of

TT0 . A 10 20 only 440 psi, is therefore, a "pressure sink" into which He':He«._ -- - - 21.73X10-' 31.5X10-' '1.5X10-' gases of the Anadarko and Palo Duro basins can migrate. Pounds per square inch The Panhandle field is at about one-third the normal 440 730 883 hydrostatic pressure gradient for a field of its depth, but is at nearly normal hydrostatic pressure with re­ 1 Average of analyses from 10 wells having highest helium content. 2 From Coon (1949). spect to the ground-water table in the Wichita Moun- ' From Aldrich and Nier (1948). ITZ 0 KLAHOMA / __J_. EXPLANATION "TEXAS S v~^_/ 7 /*- .-H-- 0.5' Iso-helium with percent helium .Das/ierf where approximately located; queried where control ts inadequate "" AW\ :\ D A L L A M HANSFORD OCHILTREE Approximate boundary of gas-producing rocks

HARTLEY

10 20 30 MILES l i l

FIGURE 20. Distribution of helium in the Panhandle field, Texas, and adjacent areas. (Analyses are from Anderson and Hinson, 1951; Boone, 1958; and Q. B. Shelton, U.S. Bureau of Mines, written communication, 1958.) G52 SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS TO GENERAL GEOLOGY tains where the igneous rocks of the Amarillo-Wichita Quinduno-type gas (table 17) would contain about 72 uplift crop out (Levorsen, 1954). Deficient reservoir percent methane, 5 percent ethane, 4 percent higher pressures also exist in satellitic oil and gas fields along hydrocarbons, 17 percent nitrogen and 1.1 percent heli­ both sides of the uplift, including the Cliffside and um; this is the same as the actual composition of the Quinduno fields. Interestingly, the latter fields, al­ helium-rich gas in the western Panhandle field (table though deficient in pressure with respect to their depths, 17). The average helium content of Panhandle field are at nearly normal hydrostatic pressure with respect gas is about 0.5 percent and corresponds to a helium to the water table of the vast Panhandle field. During mixture composed of about one-fourth from Quinduno- Late Cretaceous time when the overlying surface was at type gas and three-fourths from Cliffside-type gas. or below sea level, the reservoir pressures of most of Figure 21 shows that the overall helium-nitrogen- these gas fields were two or three times greater. Epeiro- hydrocarbon distribution in the gas of these three fields genic uplifting since that time has been accompanied by could also be explained by systematic dilution of a erosion and drainage of waters from the elevated rocks nearly pure hydrocarbon gas with nonhydrocarbon gas, and would have caused the reservoir volumes of the such as might be derived from basement rocks, contain­ satellite fields (if they were filled with gas) to expand ing nitrogen and helium in proportions of about 10 to 1. and to spill their excess gas into the structurally higher A more detailed picture of the helium distribution in Panhandle field. The uplifting must also, because of relation to the structure of the gas-producing rocks is lessening pressures, have been accompanied by a general shown in plate 1. The highest helium concentration of degassing of formation waters throughout the rocks of 1.9 percent occurs structurally in the lowest part of the the basins and uplifts, a process that is capable of sup­ field and indicates that helium is actively flowing into plying large quantities of gas and one which may still the gas field at this point. The helium source, therefore, be going on. Such a process could result in mixing of must be either in the deep igneous and metamorphic gas migrating from either side of the uplift. rocks associated with the faults or in the downfaulted The helium, nitrogen, and hydrocarbon content of the sedimentary formations to the south. These two pos­ gas of the Panhandle field is intermediate to that of the sible sources are discussed below. Cliffside and Quinduno gas, as shown on figure 21, and Little is known about the igneous and metamorphic thus can be explained as the result of mixing of gas de­ rocks underlying the Panhandle field. Their uranium rived from the Palo Duro and Anadarko basins. The and thorium content, however, should be at least as relative amounts of other gas constituents in the Pan­ great as that of the overlying sedimentary rocks and, handle field can also be explained as the products of because of their greater ages, their radiogenic helium mixing. For example, a mixture composed of 60 per­ content should be as large or larger. A part of their cent Cliff side-type gas (table 17) and 40 percent helium, however, must have been lost to the atmosphere

EXPLANATION He = 100

Area shown by figure 5 CnH 100 30 N2 = 100 Numbers are in volume percent

Gas sample

Cliffside Field

Line connecting average compositions 15 Percent N2

FIGURE 21. Graph of percent helium, nitrogen, and hydrocarbons in gas samples from the Panhandle, Cliffside, and Quinduno fields (data from Boone, 1958). URANIUM AND HELIUM IN THE PANHANDLE GAS FIELD, TEXAS G53 before the uplift was finally covered by sediments dur­ um and probably not more than three times that amount ing Late Pennsylvanian time. of thorium. Data described elsewhere in this report The Amarillo uplift, which underlies the principal (p. 26), however, indicate that the upper part of the helium accumulation in the western Panhandle field "Panhandle lime" and the basal part of the Clear Fork (see pi. 1), is about 40 miles long and 20 miles wide; it Group contain from 10 to 20 ppm uranium through a has an average relief of about 2,000 feet and, in all, a 200- to 300-foot-thick interval. Most of the uranium volume of about 300 cubic miles. The igneous rocks of in these rocks occurs in asphaltite. Exploratory holes at least the upper part of the uplift are permeable and drilled south of the Panhandle field have encountered produce gas in some of the wells which penetrate them limited volumes of natural gas in the uraniferous rocks (pi. 2). The uplift was exposed to the atmosphere un­ that contain high concentrations of helium (pi. 3; figs. til it was covered by sediments during the Permian 9, 20). The uraniferous and helium-rich rocks have Period. If there is a mean uranium content of 4 ppm, been faulted against the gas-producing formations a 50 percent retentivity, and a thorium to uranium along the south side of t

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1964 O 690-464