Oil, Gas and Helium in Arizona: Its Occurrence and Potential

Exploration and drilling activity in northeastern Arizona has dropped somewhat from its peak activity during 1959 and 1960. Indications are that the latter part of 1961 and 1962 will become considerably more active. The coming "play" is expected to be more selective as geological data are assembled. Some of the past "promotional deals" have hindered rather than helped activity throughout the state of Arizona. Present drilling activity for oil and gas is concentrated in the extreme northeastern part of the state on the Navajo Reservation. These wells produce primarily from the Paradox facies of the Hermosa (Pennsylvanian) formation. Discoveries have been made in Mississippian and Devonian formations and are becoming increasingly important. During the past two years helium development wells have been drilled on the Pinta Dome near Navajo, Arizona. Wildcat drilling resulted in the discovery of helium producing gasses on the Navajo Springs and Salt Springs structures. These latter structures lie to the east of Pinta Dome proper and have extended production about 6 miles eastward. Wildcat tests are being drilled, or are planned on several anticlinal features to the east, north and northwest of Pinta proper. Based upon structural, stratigraphic and hydrologic studies, several of the prospects are considered favorable for the accumulation of helium gasses in commercial quantities. Report - 106 p. with two cross-sections of NE Arizona.Documents in the AZGS Document Repository collection are made available by the Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) and the University Libraries at the University of Arizona. For more information about items in this collection, please contact azgs-info@email.arizona.edu