PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Oil Exploration and Drilling

In June 1956 Heaton reported, "A lot of travel, most of it is in visitors and the oil drilling crew who have a large rotary drill 18 miles west of the monument. Gave them permission to haul water from the monument for drilling purposes. Will take about two to three loads a day, [in a] 1,000 gal. tank." [1846] That month Heaton reported that Conoco, Phillips, and Sinclair oil companies and one other were conducting oil exploration and drilling operations at White Pockets, 26 miles west of the monument: "[They are] finding it hard drilling and [are] down about 400 ft." [1847] In early May 1957, Heaton reported oil testing in the area of Clay Hole. He gave the company testing there the "privilege of hauling 1,000 gals. of water for [the] oil well drilling job." [1848] In February 1958 Heaton reported, "A large convoy of well rigs and trucks passed through the fort [i.e., monument] to make seismograph tests on oil lands to the west of the Clay Hole area." [1849] In early March Heaton heard that oil was found at the Clay Hole area at a depth of about 1,400 feet. In early August 1958, Heaton reported that drilling for oil was taking place about 15 miles southwest of the monument but little had been found. The last reference made during this period to oil drilling was in late January 1960, when Heaton reported, "Had some oil drillers in the camp area last night. Said they were going to go another 1,500 feet in one of the wells out west of here." [1850]