Wyoming producing record gas well

Mountain Fuel Supply Co. is currently engaged in drilling a 20,500-ft exploratory well in southwestern Wyoming in a search for new gas reserves. Location of the well is in the Church Buttes Field near the border between the Wyoming counties of Uinta and Sweetwater in the SW. corner of the state. A drill stem test was made in the Amsden Formation at a depth between 18,060 ft and 18,167 ft. Natural gas containing a considerable amount of hydrogen sulfide was encountered, which stabilized at a daily flow rate of 2,400,000 cu ft at a bottomhole flowing presure of 1,162 psi. Estimated cost for the venture is placed at $2 million, but Mountain Fuel hopes for a 30 MMcf daily output if a deep gas strike is made. Electrical power for operation is generated by 4 Waukesha natural gas engine prime movers totaling 1,600 hp. Generators turned by the engines produce electricity for the drawworks, mud pumps, and rotary table, plus all other necessary functions while drilling. Hard rock formations below the 15,600-ft level have necessitated the use of diamond bits. Frequent trips have been made to change bits, and a small amount of fishing is necessary.