KGS Home Geology Home

Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin 47, pt. 3, originally published in 1943


Deep Water Well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works in Cherokee County, Kansas

by G. E. Abernathy

Cover of the book; tan paper with black text.

Published with permission of C. Y. Thomas, General Manager, Military Chemical Works, Inc., Prime Contractors of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works.

Originally published in 1943 as Kansas Geological Survey Bulletin 47, pt. 3. This is, in general, the original text as published. The information has not been updated. An Acrobat PDF version (6.5 MB) is also available.

Acknowledgments

Participation of the State Geological Survey in planning and constructing the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well was under the general administration of R. C. Moore, State Geologist, and John C. Frye, Assistant State Geologist.

Thanks and appreciation are expressed to the officials of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works; the Military Chemical Works, Inc.; F. H. McGraw and Co.; F. H. Freeto Construction Co.; and especially to Kenneth A. Spencer, Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Co. (now President of the Military Chemical Works, Inc. and Prime Contractor of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works), and to C. Y. Thomas, Chief Engineer of the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Co. (now Chief Engineer for the Jayhawk Ordnance Works), who made it possible for the State Geological Survey to aid in the development of a deep-well water supply for this important war industry, and who granted permission to publish the statistical information in this report. The writer also wishes to express his indebtedness to Clay Lewis, Assistant Engineer, and to C. A. Sherman, Office Engineer, both of the Ordnance works, for much valuable assistance in obtaining data. The manuscript for this report was reviewed critically by John C. Frye, Assistant State Geologist, and Dorothea Weingartner, editor for the State Geological Survey.

Plate 1—The Jayhawk Ordnance Works well in Cherokee County, Kansas.

Black and white photo of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well in Cherokee County, Kansas.

Abstract

At the request of officials of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, a representative of the State Geological Survey of Kansas supervised the drawing of plans and specifications and acted as consulting geologist during drilling operations for a deep water well. The well was begun at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, in Cherokee county, Kansas, on December 16, 1941, and was completed on January 22, 1942.

The first rocks penetrated in the well are Mississippian in age. The deepest formation penetrated is the Gasconade of early Ordovician age. In southeastern Kansas, Mississippian rocks lie upon Ordovician rocks.

The most important water-producing formation encountered in the well is the Roubidoux of the Ordovician which was penetrated at 745 feet to 875 feet below the surface. The Roubidoux is a light gray, sandy dolomite. It contains two sandstone beds throughout southeastern Kansas. One sandstone bed is 25 feet thick and occurs at the base of the formation; the other is about 20 feet thick and is separated from the lower bed by about 50 feet of sandy dolomite. In favorable areas the sandstone beds and porous dolomites yield fair supplies of moderately hard water which is low in chloride. Other Ordovician formations, the Jefferson City and the Cotter, yield smaller amounts of water. The Burlington, Keokuk, and Reeds Spring formations of the Mississippian system contain large quantities of water. The water in the Mississippian rocks, however, is extremely hard because of considerable iron and iron and sulphur compounds. The water from the Mississippian rocks was cased off in the well under consideration. Permanent casing was set at 335 feet and was grouted with cement from the bottom of the casing to the surface of the ground.

This Ordnance well is the first deep water well in this district known to have been treated with acid. A pumping test was made before the well was acidized and additional tests were made after use of the acid. The tests indicated that the specific capacity of the well was increased more than four times as a result of acid treatment.

Drilling Operations and Studies

Participation by the Geological Survey

The Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well, NW cor. SE NE sec. 4, T. 34 S., R. 25 E., Cherokee county, Kansas, (fig. 1) is the first deep water well in the Tri-State area known to have been treated successfully with acid. The well was electrically logged and was test-pumped both before and after acid treatment.

Figure 1—Index map of Cherokee County, Kansas showing location of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well.

Index map of Cherokee County, Kansas showing location of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well.

During the 13 months that the well was being planned and drilled, members of the State Geological Survey of Kansas advised in the preparation of specifications and supplied geological . advice. They collected drill cuttings and water samples from various water-bearing formations and, finally, prepared this report in order that other war industries located in the Tri-State area, or in areas where similar water supply problems occur, may have a complete record of the drilling method and treatment of a deep water well. Also included in this report is a part of the detailed information gathered in ,1941 in a survey of ground-water conditions in south-eastern Kansas, a preliminary outline of which was published in 1941 (Abernathy).

The Geological Survey began to study the problem on February 28, 1941, when C. Y. Thomas, Chief Engineer of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, requested information relative to a groundwater supply in Crawford and Cherokee counties. On March 3, 1941, the Survey made a preliminary report which was immediately followed with additional investigation.

In conference with War Department officials and Army Engineers, the Survey furnished much advice relative to electric logging, selection of points for temporary and permanent casing, cementing, acid treatment, setting the deep-well pump, and testing the well capacity. This work, begun August 1, 1941, was completed March 12, 1942.

Rocks Penetrated

Rocks of Mississippian age crop out on the reservation of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, which is located a few miles east and south of the outcrop of the dis conformity between rocks of the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian subsystems. The disconformable surface between Mississippian limestone and Pennsylvanian sediments is a very irregular one, with a local relief of 100 or more feet.

Mississippian rocks in this part of Kansas lie disconformably on rocks of Ordovician age. The subsurface formations of Mississippian and Ordovician age penetrated by the deep well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works are shown in figure 2. The rocks of Ordovician age in the well consist mostly of cherty dolomite, some sandy dolomite, and sandstone. The rocks of the Mississippian subsystem consist mostly of cherty limestone, limestone, and a thin bed of shale.

The correlation shown in figure 2 is my own, made with the aid of insoluble residues and cuttings. Wallace Lee, Federal and State Geological Surveys, J. G. Grohskopf, and O. R. Grawe, Missouri Bureau of Geology and Water Resources, and R. P. Keroher, formerly of the State Geological Survey of Kansas, separately studied residues and cuttings and made correlations that do not agree in all respects.

Figure 27A. Electrical log, showing self-potential and resistivity curves. B. Columnar section of rocks penetrated by the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well.

Electrical log, showing self-potential and resistivity curves. Columnar section of rocks penetrated by the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well.

Rocks of Ordovician Age

Gasconade formation

The oldest rocks penetrated by the deep well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works belong to the Gasconade formation. Grohskopf-Gott identified 20 feet of Gasconade rocks in a correlation made by an examination of the siliceous residues. Cuttings from Gasconade rocks in this well consist of: (1) fine crystalline, brown and gray dolomite; (2) light gray and light brown granular dolomite; (3) glassy gray chert; (4) white and light gray vitreous chert; (5) clear quartz sand grains; (6) pyrite; and (7) calcite. Some siliceous oolite and light gray chert are found in the siliceous residues of these rocks.

Roubidoux formation

The Roubidoux formation is commonly described as consisting of alternating beds of dolomite and sandstone. In southeastern Kansas the formation consists of brown-gray dolomite and two sandstone members.

Table 1—Driller's time-log for deep water well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, NW cor. SE NE sec. 4, T. 34 S., R. 25 E., Cherokee county, Kansas (Altitude: top of well, 854.33 feet; bottom of hole, -46.67 feet. Drilling began December 16, 1941; completed January 22, 1942. Static water level in completed well, 65 feet below land surface.)

Date Formation Thickness
(feet)
Total
depth (ft.)
Diameter
of hole (in.)
1941
Dec. 16 Clay 12 12 20
Gravel 2 14 20
Flint, blue, gray, and white 4 18 20
Flint, gray, and limestone 2 20 20
Dec. 19 (Set 20 feet of 18 inch pipe)
Dec. 20 Flint, gray, and limestone 15 35 16
Flint, white, gray, and blue 2 37 16
Flint, white, gray, and blue 3 40 16
Dec. 21 Flint, blue-gray 5 45 16
Dec. 22 Flint, blue-gray, and zinc "shines" 2 1/2 47 1/2 16
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 2 1/2 50 16
Dec. 23 Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 7 57 16
Limestone, gray 7 64 16
Dec. 24 Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 11 75 16
Limestone, gray 3 78 16
Dec. 25 Limestone, gray 32 1/2 1101h 16
Dec. 26 Limestone, gray 3 1/2 114 16
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 12 126 16
Flint, white and gray 3 129 16
Dec. 27 Flint, gray 11 140 16
Flint, gray, and limestone, gray 6 146 16
Flint, light blue and gray, and zinc traces 4 150 16
Limestone, gray-brown, and pyrite 7 157 16
Limestone, brown and white 3 160 16
Flint, white-gray and blue 7 167 16
Dec. 28 Limestone, brown and white 2 169 16
Flint, white and blue, and limestone, dark 5 174 16
Flint, blue and gray, and limestone, gray 6 180 16
Dec. 29 Flint, blue and gray, and limestone, gray 9 189 16
Flint, blue, and limestone, gray 11 200 16
(Reduced hole from 16" to 13" at 200')
Limestone, blue-gray, and flint, gray 5 205 13
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 4 209 13
(Water level, 40' from top)
Dec. 30 Limestone, gray, and flint, blue and gray 9 218 13
Limestone, flint, and shale, dark 3 221 13
Limestone, gray, and flint, blue 14 235 13
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 9 244 13
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 6 250 13
Dec. 31 Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 5 255 13
Limestone, gray 5 260 13
1942
Jan. 1 Running pipe and welding joints (temporary casing)
Jan. 2 Running pipe and welding joints (temporary casing)
Jan. 3 Running pipe and welding joints (temporary casing)
Jan. 4 Running pipe and welding joints (temporary casing)
Jan. 5 Limestone, gray 10 270 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, blue 5 275 10
Flint, blue-gray and white 5 280 10
Limestone, gray and green, and flint, gray 5 285 10
Limestone, gray 6 291 10
Jan. 6 Limestone, gray 14 305 10
Limestone, green 6 311 10
Limestone, gray and green 4 315 10
Limestone, gray, and flint 15 330 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray . .5 335 10
Flint, gray and white, and limestone, gray 6 341 10
Jan. 7 Flint, white and blue, and limestone, gray 31 372 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 18 390 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray-blue 5 395 10
(120 gal. in 5 min. 25 ft. draw down)
(Pulled temporary casing)
(Started reaming hole)
Jan. 9 (Reamed hole) 56 316  
Jan. 10 (Reamed hole) 19 335 8 1/4-13
(Reamed hole) 21 356 8 1/4-10
Jan. 11 (Reamed hole) 34 390 8 1/4-10
(Reamed hole) 5 395 8 1/4-10
Jan. 12 Flint, white and blue 3 398 10
Limestone, gray 3 401 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, blue 9 410 10
Limestone, gray, and sandstone 22 422 10
Limestone, gray, and sandstone, and flint, gray 13 435 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 5 440 10
Flint, white and blue, and flint, gray 24 464 10
Jan. 13 Flint, white and blue, and limestone, gray 8 472 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, white 23 495 10
Jan. 14 Limestone, gray, and flint, white 20 515 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 31 546 10
Jan. 15 Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 24 570 10
Flint, blue-gray, and limestone, gray 30 600 10
Limestone, brown, and flint, white 12 612 10
Jan. 16 Limestone, brown, and flint, white 23 635 10
Limestone, brown, and flint, white and blue 20 655 10
Flint, blue-gray, and limestone, brown 10 665 10
Limestone, gray, and flint, gray 5 670 10
Limestone, brown, and flint, gray 7 677 10
Jan. 17 Limestone, brown, and flint, gray 21 698 10
Limestone, brown sandy 12 710 10
Flint, white-gray, and limestone, gray 10 720 10
Flint, gray-white-blue 10 730 10
Jan. 18 Flint, gray-white and blue 17 747 10
Limestone, gray sandy calcite 8 755 '10
Limestone, gray calcite 7 762 10
Limestone, gray-white-blue 3 765 10
Limestone, gray-white and blue 10 775 10
Jan. 19 Limestone, gray, and flint, blue and white 7 782 10
Limestone, gray, flint, gray-white, and sandstone 3 785 10
Sandstone 7 792 10
Limestone, sandy 13 805 10
Jan. 20 Limestone, sandy 20 825 10
Flint, gray-white, and limestone, gray 10 835 10
Flint, gray-white 5 840 10
Limestone, sandy 9 849 10
Jan. 21 Sandstone 24 873 10
Jan. 22 Sandstone 3 876 10
Limestone, very little sandstone 6 882 10
Limestone, sandy gray 13 895 10
Limestone, gray, S.L.M. 6 901 10

In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well, the Roubidoux formation is 155 feet thick. The top of the formation was reached at a depth of 720 feet. The uppermost sandstone member is 15 feet thick and occurs in the middle of the formation. The lower sandstone member is about 25 feet thick and occurs at the base of the formation. Both sandstone members contain subangular to rounded quartz grains, medium to coarse in size. The grains are unfrosted and many show concentric coatings of silica, the results of secondary enlargement. Chert, which is dense and glassy and light gray and light blue, occurs abundantly in the Roubidoux formation. The average content of insoluble residue in the Roubidoux dolomite is 74.82 percent. Some of the chert in the siliceous residues is dead white in color. Dark gray, siliceous oolite is common to the chert found in the siliceous residues. The dolomite in the Roubidoux has fine granular texture and is brown and gray.

Jefferson City formation

The Jefferson City formation comprises a finely crystalline, cherty dolomite, dark brown and blue-gray in color, 300 feet thick in the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well. The top of the formation was reached at a depth of 420 feet.

Chert occurs abundantly in the Jefferson City formation. It is light in color, translucent, and has a waxy luster. This peculiar chert is characteristic of the Jefferson City. The electric log and the drillers' time log indicate that the formation consists of fairly porous dolomite and streaks or thin bands of impervious chert. The average content of insoluble material in the Jefferson City formation is 84.58 percent.

Cotter formation

The Cotter formation lies above the Jefferson City formation and is the uppermost Ordovician formation in the well. The Cotter formation consists of tan and light gray, sandy, cherty dolomite and some thin beds of sandstone. The total thickness of the Cotter formation in the wells is 105 feet. The top was reached at 314 feet.

Chert of the Cotter formation is gray and brown. Pyrite and concentrically banded cherts are common. Oolitic chert, brown in color, and brown oolite coated with fine quartz crystals are very characteristic of the Cotter formation. Vugs and cavities lined with quartz crystals are common in the upper members of the formation. The average acid insoluble content of the Cotter dolomite is 85.75 percent.

The base of the formation is marked by 10 feet of sandy dolomite (Swan Creek).

Rocks of Mississippian (Early Carboniferous) Age

Pre-Carboniferous unconformity

Southeastern Kansas lies on the Chautauqua Arch, and in several counties Mississippian rocks lie on rocks of medial and early Ordovician age. Devonian, Silurian, and late Ordovician deposits were eroded from most of the Chautauqua Arch before burial under Mississippian sediments.

Subsurface Mississippian rocks of Kansas have been studied by Lee (1940); his investigation included studies of cuttings from several wells in the same general area of the Jayhawk Ordnance well.

Compton formation

Beds assigned to the Compton formation consist of bluish gray, compact, fine-grained limestone. In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well the formation is 5 feet thick. The upper beds of the formation merge into the soft bluish green shale of the Northview formation.

Northview formation

The well cuttings of Northview shale from the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well consists of soft, bluish green shale, 5 feet thick. This shale is easily distinguished from the shale of other associated formations by its color and plastic, sticky properties.

St. Joe formation

The St. Joe formation includes the beds between the overlying Reeds Spring formation and the underlying Northview formation. In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well, rocks of this formation consist of beds of light bluish gray, fine-grained, and compact limestone, 25 feet thick. The formation contains some chert. It is distinguished from the overlying formations by its smaller content of chert, and from the lower formations by its larger content of limestone and the absence of dolomite.

Reeds Spring formation

The Reeds Spring formation includes the beds between the overlying Burlington formation and the St. Joe limestone. It consists of dense, hard, fine-grained, bluish limestone, some dolomitic limestone, some dolomite, some siltstone, an abundance of chert, dark brown and dark gray in color and 125 feet thick in the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well.

Burlington-Keokuk formations

The Burlington-Keokuk formations include all of the beds between the overlying Warsaw and the Reeds Spring formations. The Burlington-Keokuk formations are separated from the Warsaw by an unconformity. The formations consist of gray and tan limestone, dolomite, and an abundance of chert. In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well the formations are 135 feet thick. The base of the formation is the Grand Falls chert member, 35 feet thick. The chert is speckled-light gray, dove gray, ash gray, and brown. The Grand Falls member consists of 80 percent insoluble material (chert), gray limestone, and some gray dolomitic limestone. In the Tri-State mining district the Grand Falls member is designated as "N, O, P, and Q" beds, or the "sheet-ground."

M bed overlies the N, 0, P, and Q beds. It is characterized by light brown oolite in its upper members, light brown limestone, and a low content of chert. In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well, M bed is 81 feet thick.

L bed, 20 feet thick, overlies the M bed and is the uppermost bed of the Burlington-Keokuk formations. In the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well it consists of light gray limestone and white, leached chert, known as "cotton rock."

Warsaw formation

The Warsaw formation in the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well consists of light and dark gray chert with some gray limestone. The base of the formation is marked by the J bed (Cowley) (Lee, 1940, p. 81), which consists of dark brown limestone and flint with some glauconite. The thickness of rocks assigned to the Warsaw formation is 88 feet. About 12 feet of detrital material overlies the Warsaw rocks.

Physical and Hydrologic Properties of Formations Penetrated

Water-level Measurements

While the well was being drilled, the depth to water level was measured using a steel line each time a different formation was penetrated, or at intervals within a given formation. The results are given in table 2. After drilling had reached a depth of 260 feet, the temporary casing was set to this depth preventing any effect of the hydrostatic pressure of water in the Reeds Spring limestone on that of water in the lower formations. The well was drilled from 260 feet to the bottom without using casing in this part of the hole; therefore, the water-level measurements made below a depth of 260 feet do not necessarily represent the hydrostatic pressure of water in the particular formation reached by the drill; but they do represent the resultant head of water from all formations penetrated below 260 feet. Water-bearing formations having a lower head than the resultant probably were receiving water from the well; those having a higher head probably were contributing water. Moreover, the accuracy of individual water-level measurements doubtless was affected by the quantity and period of bailing, the length of time the well was allowed to rest before the measurements were made, and the possible sealing effect of drill cuttings in the bottom of the hole.

Table 2—Depths of rock formations penetrated and corresponding static water levels

Rock formation Depth of formation
(ft.)
Static water level
(feet below
land surface)
Warsaw 0-110 dry
Burlington and Keokuk 110-145 dry
Reeds Spring 145-285 40
Cotter 315-320 195
Cotter 320-330 150
Cotter 330-335 65
Cotter 335-410 57
Swan Creek 410-420 57
Jefferson City 420-472 60
Jefferson City 472-495 65
Jefferson City 495-715 60
Roubidoux 715-747 60
Roubidoux 747-850 70
Roubidoux 850-862 63
Roubidoux 862-865 68
Roubidoux 865-876 67
Gasconade 876-901 65

Solubility of Drill Cuttings

The drill cuttings were tested for solubility by the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company and also by the State Geological Survey of Kansas. The analyses by the Geological Survey, which are very similar to those made by the Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company, are given in table 3.

Table 3—Solubility in (hydrochloric acid) of drill cuttings from Jayhawk Ordnance Works water well. (Kansas Geological Survey No. 3108. Analyses by R. P. Keroher.)

Depth
(feet)
Solubility
(percent)
50-52.5 35
52.5-55 21
55-57 87
57-60 50
60-64 48
64-66 47
66-68 64
68-70 94
70-72.5 65
72.5-75 95
75-78 99
78-83 99
83-87.5 86
87.5-91 86
91-95 99
95-100 99
100-104 98
104-108 79
108-110.5 56
110.5-114 53
114-117 33
117-120 35
120-123 68
123-126 25
126-129 29
129-133 32
133-137 31
137-140 25
140-143 26
143-145 25
145-150 6
150-154 2
154-157 1
157-160 45
160-162 57
162-164 37
164-167 54
167-170 57
170-174 41
174-177 42
177-180 45
180-184.5 35
184.5-189 49
189-192 53
192-196 49
196-200 41
200-202 31
202-205 21
205-209 36
209-213 28
213-219 28
219-221 29
221-225 39
225-229 19
229-234  
234-239 57
239-244 79
244-250 91
250-255 99
255-260 99
260-262 98
262-265 99
265-270 87
270-275 56
275-280 58
280-285 76
285-290 99
290-295 99
295-300 99
300-305 99
305-310 95
310-315 85
315-320 90
320-325 71
325-330  
330-335 91
335-340 86
340-345 61
345-350 57
350-355 91
355-360 89
360-365 89
365-370 83
370-375 87
375-380 93
380-385 95
385-390 93
390-395 90
395-400 84
400-405 88
405-410 92
410-415 90
415-420 95
420-425 98
425-430 93
430-435 97
435-440 86
440-445 95
445-450 90
450-455 93
455-460 84
460-465 84
465-470 68
470-475 78
475-480 80
480-485 91
485-490 91
490-495 92
495-500 89
500-505 94
505-510 82
510-515 72
515-520 72
520-525 92
525-530 87
530-535 81
535-540 77
540-545 62
545-550 62
550-555 84
555-560 86
560-565 86
565-570 78
570-575 85
575-580 79
580-585 82
585-590 73
590-595 76
595-600 83
600-605 85
605-610 97
610-615 97
615-620 70
620-625 71
625-630 72
630-635 94
635-640 96
640-645 88
645-650 90
650-655 72
655-660 78
660-665 82
665-670 97
670-675 98
675-680 99
680-685 99
685-690 98
690-695 98
695-700 76
700-705 78
705-710 79
710-715 69
715-720 80
720-725 41
725-730 88
730-735 95
735-740 95
740-745 94
745-750  
750-755 99
755-760 86
760-765 95
765-770 85
770-780  
780-782 86
782-785 53
785-790 18
790-795 57
795-800 81
800-805 89
805-810 89
810-815 98
815-820 98
820-825 98
825-830 79
830-835 71
835-840 63
840-845 95
845-850 93
850-855 76
855-860 65
860-865 53
865-870 9
870-875 11
875-880 98
880-885 97
885-890 95
890-895 99
895-901 91

A curve showing the percentage of soluble material in each sample is given in figure 3. The analyses indicate that the lower part of the Burlington (Keokuk) limestone has low solubility, and the Grand Falls chert member at the base of the Burlington is nearly insoluble. The upper part of the Reeds Spring limestone also has low solubility, The remainder of the curve shows high solubility of the formations penetrated, with the exception of a zone of dolomitic limestone in the Reeds Spring at a depth of 270 feet, a zone in the Cotter dolomite at 335 feet, a few minor zones in the Jefferson City dolomite, a relatively insoluble zone at a depth of 720 feet at the base of the Jefferson City, and another in the upper sandstone of the Roubidoux at a depth of 790 feet. This upper sandstone of the Roubidoux, though not as soluble as the dolomitic zones of the formation, has an average solubility of about 70 percent, indicating that its porosity could be improved by acid treatment. The lower sandstone of the Roubidoux, at a depth of 870 feet, has a solubility of about 9 percent, indicating that acid treatment would be ineffective on this bed.

Figure 3—Solubility of rocks penetrated and the hardness and chloride content of waters contained in the various formations of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well.

Solubility of rocks penetrated and the hardness and chloride content of waters contained in the various formations of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well.

Porosity of Formations

In the development of a deep-well water supply, it is helpful to have information on the porosity and degree of saturation of the formations. Information of this type may be obtained from cores cut from the formations or from electric well logs. Some information already was available from several hundred deep water wells in this area, so it was not deemed advisable to take a core of each water-bearing formation; however, an electric log was made of the hole after drilling was completed.

The deep well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works was electrically logged on January 24,1942, by the Schlumberger Well Surveying Corporation. A copy of the electrical log is given in figure 2. The self-potential curve indicates the presence of very porous zones at depths of 65 feet to 110 feet, 290 feet to 305 feet, and 375 feet to 400 feet. The normal resistivity curve indicates the base of the Mississippian limestones at 316 feet, the base of the Jefferson City and the top of the Roubidoux at 705 feet. This curve also indicates that both sandstones of the Roubidoux should produce water and that the lower sandstone probably would be more productive than the upper. The curve indicates that between the depths of 415 feet and 705 feet the Jefferson City dolomite is broken or is made up of a number of beds, each having different resistivity. Some of the beds are indicated to be porous and some fairly porous; the porous beds probably contain water.

Construction of Well

Drilling and Casing

The well was drilled by the Cascho and Pugh Drilling Company, using a No. 5 1/2 Keystone cable-tool drill. Drilling was begun on December 16,1941, and completed on January 22, 1942.

A hole 20 inches in diameter was drilled to a depth of 20 feet and lined with 20 feet of temporary 18-inch casing. The hole was drilled to a diameter of 16 inches from a depth of 20 to 200 feet, 13 inches from a depth of 200 to 260 feet, and 8 inches from a depth of 260 to 395 feet.

The 8-inch hole was reamed to a diameter of 13 inches between the depths of 260 and 335 feet, and the permanent 10-inch casing was placed from the surface to a depth of 335 feet, in order to exclude the hard water of the Reeds Spring limestone and the water at the base of the Mississippian formations and at the top of the Cotter dolomite, which contains considerable hydrogen sulphide. The remainder of the 8-inch hole (between depths of 335 and 395 feet) was reamed to a diameter of 10 inches. Drilling was then resumed using a 10-inch bit, and the well was deepened to a total depth of 901 feet.

The driller's time-log, indicating the nature of the formation drilled and the size and depth of the hole drilled each day, is given in table 1.

Cementing the Casing

After drilling had been completed, the 10 1/2-inch temporary casing was removed from the hole and a 10 1/2-inch wooden plug was cemented (with five bags of Hi-Early cement) into the hole just below the casing point, at a depth of 335 feet. The plug was driven into place with drilling tools, and the cement was placed by using a dart-valve bailer.

After the cement set for 24 hours, the lengths of permanent casings were welded together and lowered into the hole. The fifteen lengths of 10-inch I.D. casing had a total length of 337 feet and 11 inches; but after deducting approximately 3 feet of casing lost because of poor threads, the total length of permanent casing set in the hole was about 334 feet and 11 inches.

The Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Company then filled with cement the annular space between the casing and the hole. Two hundred eighty bags of Hi-Early cement, 14 bags of Aquajel, and 350 pounds of Flocele were mixed and put into the casing. A bridging plug was placed on top of the cement. The plug was pushed to the bottom, causing the cement to be forced out of the bottom and upward around the casing, filling all the space and openings between the walls of the hole and the casing. Several hundred pounds of the cement was forced out of the top of the hole, indicating that all of the space between the walls of the hole. and the casing had been filled.

After setting for 72 hours, the remaining cement was drilled out of the casing and the hole was cleaned out for about 3 feet below the casing bottom. The bailer was run once each hour for a period of 12 hours to test for a water leak at the bottom of the casing. No water came into the hole during this test, and the hole was cleaned out to a depth of 901 feet, its total depth.

Pumping Tests and Acid Treatment

All pumping tests were made using a Deming deep well turbine pump, comprising 18 stages of 10-inch bowls, and a direct connected 440 volt, 60 cycle, 100 h.p., U. S. Electric motor. The pump was set below 450 feet of discharge pipe, and 10 feet of suction pipe was added below the pump bowls. Before the first pumping test the static depth to water level was measured with a steel line and found to. be 65 feet. During the pumping tests, the level of the water in the hole was recorded by means of an air line extending into the well and attached to an air gauge marked in feet. The discharge of the well was measured by the orifice method, using a 3-inch orifice at the end of a 6-inch horizontal discharge pipe, 20 feet long, and a gauge for measuring the water pressure behind the orifice. The tests were made under the supervision of the writer and Roy A. Cobb, of the Deming Pump Company.

Pumping Test Before Acid Treatment

The first pumping test was made on February 25, 1942. When the pump was first started, the water level dropped to the bottom of the suction pipe after about one minute and 30 seconds of pumping, indicating that the rate of pumping was too great for the well. Back pressure was then put onto the discharge line by partly closing a gate valve until the level of the water in the well remained over the bowls of the pump while the pump was in operation. This discharge pressure was about 180 pounds to the square inch and the pumping water level was about 388 feet. The results given in table 4 indicate that after 19 hours of pumping, the well yielded only 154 gallons a minute with a draw-down of 323 feet, or only about. 0.48 gallon a minute per foot of draw-down. The pumping test was continued for a total of 26 hours and 22 minutes, but the rate of discharge was increased slightly after 19 hours of pumping.

Table 4—Pumping test of well before acid treatment. (February 24 and 25, 1942. Static water level, 65 feet; temperature of water, 65° F.)

Time Water
gauge
(inches)
Discharge
(gal. per
minute)
Discharge
pressure
(pounds)
Pumping
head
(feet)
Air
gauge
(ft. water)
Depth to
water level
(feet)
Drawdown
(feet)
February 24
10:00 a.m. 25. 168 100 590 113 360 295
10:05 24.5 165 125 674 87 387 322
10:10 24. 166 160 781 61 413 348
10:15 24. 166 162 792 54 420 355
10:20 24. 166 162 792 54 420 355
10:30 24. 166 162 793 53 421 356
11:00 24. 166 162 793 53 421 356
11:30 24. 166 165 802 51 423 358
12:00 m. 24. 166 165 802 51 423 358
12:30 p.m. 20.5 152 180 832 56 418 353
1:00 20.5 152 180 807 81 393 328
1:30 20.5 152 180 797 91 383 318
1:35 33. 187   809   460 395
1:45 27. 170 150 800   474 409
4:00 21.5 158 180 802 82 392 327
4:30 21. 157 175 794 82 394 329
5:00 20. 150 190 820 91 383 318
5:30 20.5 153 185 808 91 383 318
6:00 20.5 153 185 803 96 378 313
6:30 21.5 156 172 793 76 398 333
7:00 21.5 156 175 770 76 368 305
7:30 20. 150 180 798 90 384 319
8:00 20.5 153 180 798 90 384 319
8:30 20.5 153 180 798 90 384 319
9:00 20.5 153 180 798 90 384 319
9:30 20.5 153 183 804 90 384 319
10:00 20. 150 185 808 91 383 318
10:30 21. 157 180 799 89 385 320
11:00 21. 157 180 799 89 385 320
11:30 20.5 153 180 799 89 385 320
12:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
February 25
12:30 a.m. 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
1:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
1:30 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
2:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
2:30 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
3:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
3:30 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
4:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
4:30 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
5:00 20.75 154 180 802 86 388 323
5:30 20.5 153 176 800 88 396 331
6:00 20.5 153 178 805 88 396 331
6:30 20.5 153 180 802 86 388 323
7:00 20.5 153 180 802 86 388 323
7:30 20.5 153 180 802 86 388 323
8:00 20.5 153 180 802 86 388 323
8:30 21. 156 180 806 82 392 327
9:00 20.5 153 175 790 86 388 323
9:30 20.5 153 175 790 86 388 323
10:00 22.5 156 160 786 65 368 303
10:15 24.5 165 150 779 51 434 369
10:30 24.5 165 150 779   434 369
11:00 24.5 165 150 779   434 369
11:15 24. 161 150 779   434 369
11:30 24:5 165 150        
11:45 24. 161 150        
12:00 m. 24.5 165 150        
12:05 p.m. 26. 170 135        
12:10 25.5 169 135        
12:15 26. 170 120        
12:17 25-27 Variable 90-110        
12:20 25-27 Variable 90-110        
12:22 Pump stopped        

Acid Treatment

The quantity of water obtained from the well during the pumping test was so small in comparison with the quantity required and with the yield of other wells in the area that it was decided to acidize the well.

The practice of acidizing was borrowed from the oil industry. For several years almost every oil well producing from limestone formations in Kansas and elsewhere has been treated with hydrochloric acid in order to increase its yield of oil. When put into a well under pressure and applied to a soluble limestone or dolomite, hydrochloric acid dissolves part of the rock allowing it to be removed in liquid form. The result of acidizing is to increase the porosity of the formation by enlarging the existing openings and by removing material that fills pores and fractures. Acid treatment of sandstone tightly cemented with calcium carbonate also increases the porosity by removing part of the cementing material that fills the space between the grains of insoluble quartz.

In the acidizing of limestone or dolomite the percentage of soluble material indicates the possible success of the treatment; however, no exact percentage of solubility can be given as a criterion for successful acid treatment, because factors such as the porosity and permeability generally influence the results attainable.

On March 3, 1942, the well was treated with acid by Dowell Incorporated as follows: Treatment was started at 10:45 a.m. using 250 gallons of 30 percent hydrochloric acid added under pressure. At 11:00 a.m. the pressure was 15 pounds. At 11:15 a.m. the pressure gauge read zero. At 11:40 a.m., 750 gallons of 15 percent acid was added, and at 11:55 a.m. an additional 1,000 gallons of 15 percent acid was put into the well, after which the pressure gauge still registered zero. At 11:58 a.m., a water flush was started, and by 1:00 p.m. 1,000 gallons of water had been added under a pressure of 10 pounds.

The part of the well treated was the entire section of rock from the bottom of the casing (335 feet) to the bottom of the hole (901 feet), or 566 feet. The solubilities of the rock formations penetrated in the Jayhawk Ordnance Works water well are given in table 3, and indicate that the solubility of the rocks in this part of the hole ranged from 9 to 99 percent and averaged about 80 percent. The self-potential and resistivity curves of the electric log (fig. 1) indicate a high porosity and probable high degree of saturation between depths of 340 and 352 feet and between depths of 375 and 395 feet. Most of the Jefferson City and Roubidoux formations (between depths of 400 and 901 feet) are indicated to be fairly porous and probably contain considerable water.

This is the first deep water well in the Tri-State area known to have been treated with acid. As indicated by the pumping tests described in a later section of this paper, the results were very satisfactory, because following the acid treatment, the specific capacity of the well was increased more than four and one-half times.

Pumping Tests after Acid Treatment

The pump was again installed after the well had been treated with hydrochloric acid. On March 7, 1942, another pumping test of the well was made (table 5). During this and subsequent pumping tests a 5-inch orifice was used in measuring discharge. As indicated in the table, after 2 hours and 27 minutes of pumping, the well yielded 678 gallons a minute with a draw-down of 287 feet, or about 2.4 gallons a minute per foot of draw-down.

Table 5—First pumping test of well after acid treatment, (March 7, 1942. Static water level, 65 feet.)

Time
(p.m.)
Water
gauge
(inches)
Discharge
(gals. per
minute)
Air
gauge (ft.
of water)
Depth to
water Level
(feet)
Drawdown
(feet)
1:38 25 610 350? 102? 37?
1:40     240 212 147
1:41 34 712 180 272 207
1:42     155 297 232
1:43 33 702 145 307 242
1:44     140 312 247
1:45 32 697 135 317 252
1:46 32 697 132 320 255
1:47 32 697 130 322 257
1:48 32 697 130 322 257
1:49 32 697 127 325 260
1:50 32 697 127 325 260
1:51 32 697 127 325 260
1:52     126 326 261
1:53 32 697 125 327 262
1:54     125 327 262
1:55     125 327 262
1:56 31.75 688 125 327 262
1:57 31.75   123 329 264
1:Ii8     122 328 263
1:59     122 328 263
2:00     122 328 263
2:01     121 327 262
2:02     121 331 266
2:03 31.5 685.5 121 331 266
2:04     120 332 267
2:05     120 332 267
2:06     120 332 267
2:07 31.5 685.5 119 333 268
2:08     119 333 268
2:09     119 333 268
2:10     118 334 269
2:11     117 335 270
2:12     117 335 270
2:13     115 337 272
2:14     115 337 272
2:15 31.25 683 115 337 272
2:16     118 334 269
2:17     118 334 269
2:18     120 332 267
2:19     120 332 267
2:20 31 680 119 333 268
2:25     119 333 268
2:30 31 680 118 334 269
2:35     118 334 269
2:40 31 680 116 336 271
2:45 30.75 678 115 337 272
2:50     115 337 272
2:55 30.75 678 110 342 277
3:00 30.75 678 110 342 277
3:05 30.75 678 110 342 277
3:10 30.75 678 105 347 282
3:15 30.75 678 105 347 282
3:20 30.75 678 105 347 282
3:25 30.75 678 105 347 282
3:30 30.75 678 105 347 282
3:35 30.75 678 100 352 287
3:40 30.75 678 100 352 287
3:45 30.75 678 100 352 287
3:50 30.75 678 100 352 287
3:55 30.75 678 100 352 287
4:00 30.75 678 100 352 287
4:05 30.75 678 100 352 287
4:06 Pump stopped    
5:49     350 102 37

On March 12, 1942, another short pumping test was made (table 6). At the end of this pumping test (29 minutes) the well was yielding 698 gallons a minute with a draw-down of 246 feet.

Table 6—Second pumping test of well after acid treatment, (March 12, 1942. Pumping head, 475 feet; static water level, 65 feet.)

Time
(a.m.)
Water
gauge
(inches)
Discharge
(gals. per
minute)
Air
gauge (ft.
of water)
Depth to
water Level
(feet)
Drawdown
(feet)
11:13     452? 65?  
11:14 36 736 250 202 137
11:15 35 725 190 262 197
11:16 34 714 165 287 222
11:17 34 714 160 292 227
11:18 34 714 155 297 232
11:19 33.5 708 155 297 232
11:20 33.5 708 150 302 237
11:21 33.5 708 150 302 237
11:22 33.5 708 150 302 237
11:23 33.5 708 150 302 237
11:24 33.5 708 145 307 242
11:25 33.5 708 145 307 242
11:26 33 703 145 307 242
11:27 33 703 145 307 242
11:28 33 703 145 307 242
11:29 33 703 145 307 242
11:30 33 703 145 307 242
11:31 33 703 145 307 242
11:32 33 703 142 310 245
11:33 33 703 142 310 245
11:34 33 703 142 310 245
11:35 33 703 142 310 245
11:36 33 703 142 310 245
11:37 32.5 698 142 310 245
11:38 32.5 698 141 311 246
11:39 32.5 698 141 311 246
11:40 32.5 698 141 311 246
11:41 32.5 698 141 311 246
11:42 32.5 698 141 311 246
Pump stopped
11:43     166 286 221
11:44     221 231 166
11:45     316 136 71

This test was followed by a third pumping test (table 7) during which the discharge was held constant at 505 gallons a minute by regulating a gate valve in the discharge pipe. At the end of this test (one hour and 26 minutes) the draw-down was 157 feet, indicating a yield of about 3.2 gallons a minute per foot of drawdown.

Table 7—Third pumping test of well after acid treatment. (March 12, 1942. Discharge held constant at 505 gallons per minute; static water level, 65 feet.)

Time
(p.m.)
Water
gauge
(inches)
Discharge
(gals. per
minute)
Discharge
pressure
(pounds)
Pumping
head
(feet)
Air
gauge (feet
of water)
Depth to
water Level
(feet)
Drawdown
(feet)
1:34 6            
1:35 17 505 185 845 230 222 157
1:40 17 505 190 855 240 212 147
1:45 17 505 190 855 240 212 147
1:50 17 505 190 855 240 212 147
1:55 17 505 190 855 240 212 147
2:00 17 505 190 855 237 215 150
2:05 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:10 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:15 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:20 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:25 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:30 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:35 17 505 190 855 235 217 152
2:40 17 505 187 849 230 222 157
2:45 17 505 185 845 230 222 157
2:50 17 505 187 849 230 222 157
2:55 17 505 187 849 230 222 157
3:00 17 505 187 849 230 222 157

A fourth pumping test (table 8) was made during which the discharge was held constant at 300 gallons a minute. The drawdown at the end of this test (30 minutes) was 92 feet.

Table 8—Fourth pumping test of well after acid treatment. (March 12, 1942. Discharge held constant at 300 gallons per minute; static water level, 65 feet.)

Time
(p.m.)
Water
gauge
(inches)
Discharge
(gals. per
minute)
Discharge
pressure
(pounds)
Pumping
head
(feet)
Air
gauge (feet
of water)
Depth to
water Level
(feet)
Drawdown
(feet)
3:05 6 300 280 1035 290 162 97
3:10 6 300 280 1035 295 157 92
3:15 6 300 285 1045 295 157 92
3:20 6 300 285 1045 295 157 92
3:25 6 300 285 1045 295 157 92
3:30 6 300 285 1045 295 157 92
3:35 6 300 285 1045 295 157 92

Quality of Water

The chemical character of the water obtained from different formations in the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water well is indicated by the 12 analyses given in table 9. All but the last two samples of water were obtained by means of a bailer from the bottom of the hole, while the well was being drilled. Some of the water samples, therefore, may have been modified by the infiltration of water from overlying formations.

Table 9—Chemical analyses of water from the Jayhawk Ordnance Works deep water welt. (Analyses by Kansas State Board of Health. Quantities are expressed in parts per million; reacting values are given in italics.)

Lab.
No.
Geological
formation
Depth
(feet)
Date of
collection
Iron
(Fe)
Manganese
(Mn)
Calcium
(Ca)
Magnesium
(Mg)
Sodium and
Potassium
(Na+K)
Bicarbonate
(HCO3)
Sulphate
(SO4)
Chloride
(Cl)
Fluoride
(F)
Nitrate
(No3)
Total
solids
Insoluble
residue
Total
alkalinity
as Co3
Hardness as Co3
Total Carbonate Non-
carbonate
42235† Burlington-Keokuk 125 12-26-1941 1.7 0.13 328.
11.88
6.8
.56
17.
.74
384.
6.30
324.
6.74
4.0
.11
0.2
.01
1.1
.02
951. 81. 315. 622. 315. 307.
42299† Reeds Spring 175 12-28-1941 0.94 0.0 184.
9.18
21.
1.73
26.
1.15
168.
2.76
430.
8.94
12.
.34
0.2
.01
0.75
.01
860. 22. 138. 546. 138. 408.
42234† Reeds Spring 244 12-30-1941 2.7 0.2 226.
11.28
40.
3.29
27.
1.19
395.
6.48
426.
8.86
14.
.39
0.3
.02
0.93
.01
1164. 117. 324. 728. 324. 404.
4293† Cotter 320 1-6-1942 0.44   24.
1.20
37.
3.04
31.
1.35
215.
3.53
35.
.73
40.
1.13
0.4
.02
1.1
.02
306. 7.6 184. 212. 184. 28.
4291† Cotter 330 1-6-1942 0.44   26.
1.30
35.
2.88
21.
.93
202.
3.31
26.
.54
36.
1.02
0.6
.03
0.93
.01
310. 14. 176. 209. 176. 33.
4292 Cotter 395 1-7-1942 3.0   182.
9.08
34.
2.79
16.
.70
282.
4.62
359.
7.47
16.
.45
0.3
.02
0.75
.01
1035. 65. 231. 594. 231. 363.
42236 Jefferson City 525 1-14-1942 0.68 0.11 140.
6.99
72.
5.92
41.
1.79
304.
4.99
401.
8.34
48.
1.35
0.3
.02
0.0
.00
989. 18. 249. 646. 249. 397.
42300 Roubidoux 770 1-18-1942 0.42   97.
4.84
65.
5.34
23.
1.02
285.
4.67
243.
5.05
52.
1.47
0.1
.01
0.0
.00
769. 13. 234. 509. 234. 275.
42301 Roubidoux, upper dolomite 790 1-19-1942 1.3 0.0 134.
6.69
48.
3.94
0.0
.00
281.
4.61
235.
4.89
18.
.51
0.2
.01
0.0
.00
788. 69. 230. 532. 230. 302.
42328 Roubidoux, upper sandstone 855 1-21-1942 0.76 0.05 75.
3.74
65.
5.34
55.
2.40
242.
3.97
240.
4.99
72.
2.03
0.1
.01
0.62
.01
754. 18. 222. 454. 222. 232.
42329 Gasconade 890 1-22-1942 0.34 0.05 68.
3.39
81.
6.66
66.
2.88
259.
4.25
225.
4.68
127.
3.58
0.1
.01
0.31
.01
815. 11. 232. 502. 232. 270.
42877 Composite sample from pump* 901 2-25-1942 0.38   38.
1.90
18.
1.48
15.
.66
170.
2.79
31.
.64
20.
.56
0.5
.03
1.2
.02
227. 9.2 140. 169. 140. 29.
42985 Composite sample from pump** 901 3-6-1942 1.2 0.08 62.
3.09
30.
2.47
7.4
.32
172.
2.82
20.
.42
92.
2.59
0.6
.03
1.4
.02
378. 8. 141. 278. 141. 137.
† Waters excluded from composite samples No. 42877 and No. 42985 by permanent casing.
* Before well was acidized (after pumping 3 hours).
** After well was acidized.

The waters from the Burlington and Keokuk limestones are very similar to the waters of the Reeds Spring limestone. The distinguishing features of water from the upper part of the Cotter are low content of calcium and sulphate and low noncarbonate hardness. The characteristic features of the water from the upper sandstone of the Roubidoux are low chloride content (18 parts per million) and the absence of sodium.

The characteristic features of the composite sample of water obtained before the well was acidized (which represents water from the lower part of the Cotter, all of the Jefferson City and the Roubidoux, and the top of the Gasconade, 335 to 901 feet) is the low content of chloride, sulphate, calcium, and magnesium. It contains by far less total solids, total alkalinity, and hardness than any water sampled during the drilling below the permanent casing point. The better quality of the water in the composite sample taken before the well was acidized and after the pump had been running three hours probably is due to the fact that most of the water came from the upper sandstone of the Roubidoux, whereas the samples of water taken while the hole was being drilled probably represent mixtures of waters from different formations.

The water from the Gasconade formation contains more chloride than the water from the Roubidoux. The chloride content of the water sampled after the well was acidized is considerably higher than the composite sample before the well was acidized. This may have resulted from a greater degree of acid reaction on the Gasconade dolomite than on the sandy dolomite of the Roubidoux formation, so that the Gasconade yielded a proportionately larger quantity of water after acidization. Use of hydrochloric acid in the well also may have increased the chloride content if the resulting chloride had not been removed entirely by pumping by the time the sample was collected.

The fluoride content of the sample of water from the Jayhawk Ordnance Works well ranges from 0.1 to 0.6 part per million. The lowest content is in the water from the Roubidoux formation, while the highest content is in the water from the Cotter dolomite which was cased out of the well. The final composite sample, however, also contained 0.6 part per million of fluoride.

Conclusions

The Mississippian rocks contain abundant supplies of water; however, at least in some areas in southeastern Kansas, the water is objectionable for domestic purposes because of its high mineral content. In these areas the water from the Mississippian should be excluded from the well. In areas where the Mississippian waters are not objectionable, the acid water from the overlying Cherokee shale should be excluded from the well.

Undesirable water may be excluded from a well by setting casing to the desired depth below the water to be excluded and by grouting with cement between the casing and the walls of the hole, from the bottom of the casing to the surface of the ground. The objectionable water to be excluded may be sufficiently acidic to corrode, forming holes in uncemented iron casing within a few years time.

The capacity of many wells can be greatly increased by shooting sandstone members or by treating soluble limestones, dolomites, or sandstones tightly cemented with calcium carbonate, with acid. The capacity of the water well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works was increased more than four times by acid treatment.

References

Abernathy, G. E., 1941, Ground-water resources of Mississippian and older rocks in Bourbon, Crawford, Cherokee, and Labette counties, southeastern Kansas: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 38, pt. 8, pp. 221-236, fig. 1.

Fowler, G. M., and Lyden, J. P., 1934, Sequence of structural deformation in the Oklahoma mining field: Min. and Metall., vol. 15, no. 334, pp. 415-418, figs. 1-5.

Lee, Wallace, 1940, Subsurface Mississippian rocks of Kansas: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 33, pp. 1-114, figs. 1-4, pls. 1-10.

Lohman, Stanley W., and others, 1942, Ground-water supplies in Kansas available for national defense industries: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 41, pt. 2, pp. 21-68, figs. 1-3, pls. 1-4.

McQueen, H. S., 1931, Insoluble residues as a guide in stratigraphic studies: Missouri, Bur. Geol. and Mines, Appendix 1, 56th Bienn. Rept., pp. 102-131, pls. 3-14.

Moore, Raymond C., and others, 1940, Ground-water resources of Kansas: Kansas Geol. Survey Bull. 27, pp. 1-112, figs. 1-28, pls. 1-34.

Appendix

Specifications for Deep Water Well

The Geological Survey assisted in preparing the following specifications for drilling the deep water well at the Jayhawk Ordnance Works.

November 17, 1941

Specifications for deep water well for Jayhawk Ordnance Works.

Specification NO. 87B1

  1. Scope
    1. The work covered by these specifications includes the drilling, casing, and developing of a deep water well in rock. The contractor shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, tools, supplies, power, water drayage, freight, and miscellaneous items necessary for the proper execution and completion of the work as herein specified.
  2. Definitions
    1. The following organizations are referred to, in this specification, by title; and such titles, where used, shall refer to the company or companies listed below:
      • Title Company
      • Contractor Sub-contractor to the constructor
      • Constructor F. H. McGraw & Company and Freeto Construction Company
      • Prime Contractor The Military Chemical Works, Inc.
      • Architect-Engineer Chemical Construction Corporation
  3. Location of work
    1. The well will be located near the site of the permanent Administration Area of the Jayhawk Ordnance Works, at Boston Mills, in Lowell Township, Cherokee County, Kansas. The site is further described as occupying the NE quarter of section 4, T. 34 S., R. 25 E. The exact location for drilling of the well will be designated by the Constructor after consultation with and the approval of the Architect-Engineer and the Prime Contractor.
  4. Start and Completion
    1. The work hereinafter described shall be started within ten days after awarding the contract and shall be completed within the number of working days mutually agreed upon by the Constructor and Contractor. The Contractor shall furnish a bond suitable to the Constructor to guarantee performance within these limitations.
    2. The Contractor shall permit and provide every facility for the Constructor or his representatives to inspect the drilling equipment he proposes to use before work commences. This equipment shall be satisfactory to the Constructor.
    3. Work under this specification shall not be suspended without permission of the Constructor.
  5. Geologic Conditions
    1. The elevation of the ground at the site is about 850 feet above sea level, and it is contemplated that the well will extend into the Roubidoux sandstone, terminating at the base of this formation. The point at which the well shall be completed will be determined by the Constructor. It Is desired to obtain a flow of at least 500 G.P.M.; and, if this quantity of water is obtained in the Roubidoux sandstone, the well will be stopped at this stratum. In making his proposal, the Contractor shall state his proposal price for work below the Roubidoux sandstone as well as for work above or in the formation.
    2. So far as is known, the following geologic formations will be encountered at the approximate depth indicated.
      • 0-50 ft., Keokuk limestone and flint
      • 50-100 ft., Burlington limestone and flint
      • 100-120 ft., Grand Falls chert
      • 120-180 ft., Reeds.Spring limestone and chert
      • 180-265 ft., St. Joseph limestone
      • 265-725 ft., Cotter and Jefferson City dolomite
      • 725-840 ft., Roubidoux sandstone
      • 840-1045 ft., Gasconade dolomite
      • 1045-1110 ft., Van Buren dolomite
      • 1110-1130 ft., Gunter sandstone
      • 1130-1155 ft., Procter dolomite
  6. Field Measurements
    1. All measurements for depth shall be taken from the existing surface of the ground at the well site and to the bottom of the bore hole. All measurements shall be made in the presence of a representative of the Constructor. When the size of the hole is to be reduced or any change of classification made, the drilling shall not proceed until all necessary measurements have been made.
  7. Samples and Records
    1. At least one week before starting to drill the well, the Contractor shall send a written request to the office of Dr. G. E. Abernathy, representative of the State Geologist, having his office at the Kansas State Teachers College at Pittsburg, Kansas, who will furnish sample sacks, drill record books, and instructions regarding the collecting and handling of drill cuttings. The contractor shall save a sample of each cutting at each time the well is bailed, or at intervals of about 5 feet, and place them in sacks, properly labelling same with the figures showing the depth from which the samples were obtained. These cuttings shall be taken from the bailer and not from the slush pit. The sacks containing the cuttings, properly marked as to depth, shall be delivered to the Constructor each day, where they will be picked up by the State Geologist's representative. These cuttings will be examined by the State Geologist's representative, who will compile a log of the well and submit a copy of the completed log to the Prime Contractor for their records. If the well is drilled by rotary drilling, the samples shall be taken and carefully preserved, marked with elevation in accordance with instructions from the State Geological Survey of Kansas or its representative, and turned over to the State Geological Survey of Kansas, Pittsburg, Kansas.
    2. At the time they are encountered, the driller shall duly and consistently note, in the drill record book, the location and depths of any openings; the material, mud, water, etc. therein; the presence of any soft or broken ground encountered: together with information as to the size and depth of casing, method of sealing same, and result of the test to determine whether or not a satisfactory seal has been obtained. The driller shall also note in the drill book the depth at which water is encountered and the static water level upon completion of the well. The drillers record book shall be available at the well for inspection at any time by the Constructing Quartermaster, State Geologist, Constructor, Prime Contractor, or the authorized representative of any of these.
  8. Method of Procedure—The general method of procedure shall be as follows:
    1. A hole shall be drilled, either by rotary drtl'ling or churn drilling, to accommodate a 10 inch I.D. casing from surface of ground to casing point, which point will be determined by the Constructor, upon advice of the.State Geologist's representative.
    2. It is probable that water will be encountered at the top of the Keokuk limestone which may require temporary casing off.
    3. A considerable flow of water will probably be encountered at the Reeds Spring formation, which may retard drilling. The Constructor shall be consulted as to the necessity of installing a temporary casing to this point. If this water should prove to be suitable for use, and if the well is completed to the Roubidoux formation, provision should be made for cutting the casing at the proper level to permit use of the Reeds Spring water. A complete series of samples of water encountered at each point in the drilling shall be collected and analyzed together with an estimate of the flow developed.
    4. The Cotter dolomite is the next known water bearing formation. If a useful volume of suitable water is found at this level, provision should be made for its use either above or in conjunction with the Reeds Spring water, as directed by the Constructor.
    5. Any temporary casing shall be furnished without extra cost. From this point, a 10 inch hole shall be continued to such point as shall be determined by the Constructor upon advice of the State Geologist's representative. After the hole has been drilled to its proper depth, and after all the necessary cleaning and shooting has been done, a bridge or plug shall be set below the casing point, and the 10 inch casing pipe shall be set and grouted by an approved pressure grouting method for its entire length. The cement used shall be Hi-Early strength cement, and the grouting shall be done in the presence of an authorized representative of the Constructor.
    6. The size of the hole to be drilled for temporary casing above the 10 inch hole shall be determined by the Contractor, with due regard to the cementing required.
    7. After the pipe has been cemented, drilling operations shall be suspended for a period of not less than 48 hours, following which the plug shall be partly drilled below the casing point to facilitate determination of the tightness at the casing point. The seal shall then be tested by bailing the water from the hole. Operations shall then cease for a period of 4 hours, after which the hole is to be again bailed to determine if any water is entering at the point of casing. The static water level inside of the casing is to be noted by the driller at this point. The seal shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of the State Geologist; and the tightness of the seal shall be demonstrated to the representatives of the State Geologist, State Board of Health, the Constructor, and the Prime Contractor. After this has been done, the remainder of the plug shall be drilled out and thoroughly cleaned at the bottom of the hole. The static water level shall again be recorded after the plug has been removed. Thereafter, the driller shall tightly seal and cap the top of the well in such a manner that the cap may be removed for the installation of the pump. The well casing shall extend to a point at least 6 inches above the elevation of the pump house floor, which shall be at least 18 inches above the normal ground line at the site.
    8. Prior to cementing the pipe as hereinbefore specified, the contractor shall run the entire string to the shoulder or point at which the hole was reduced. This shall be done without driving, binding, or the use of force in any manner whatsoever. The pipe shall then be raised off the bottom of the hole and, while suspended by means of casing elevators, shall be turned freely in the hole to demonstrate that the hole is vertical and properly aligned.
    9. The contractor shall insure that the 10 inch hole to final depth shall be started concentric with the upper part of the hole in order that a shoulder of uniform width is provided for the support of the casing.
    10. The proper casing point shall be determined by the Constructor and all grouting shall be done in the presence of his representative.
    11. Casing is to be removed from the well during drilling or shooting operations.
  9. Provision, In Case Caving Shale Is Encountered
    1. If caving shale is encountered below the casing point, the method of procedure shall be altered to permit the installation of a wrought iron liner and the continuation of drilling. However, it is not considered likely that a liner will be required. The contractor shall state in his proposal the unit price per foot for furnishing and installing the liner, as hereinafter specified. The point of setting and the amount of liner required will be determined by the Constructor on advice of the State Geologist's representative. If at any time during the drilling operation it becomes apparent to the Contractor that caving shale is encountered or, for any other reason, that a liner will be required, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Constructor.
    2. The liner, if required, shall be of genuine wrought iron, with 9 inch outside diameter, as hereinafter specified. If this liner is necessary, the hole below the liner will be reduced to 8% inches in diameter, and will continue to such a point as determined by the Constructor upon advice of the State Geologist's representative. The Contractor shall state in his proposal the price per foot which he bids for drilling a 8% inch hole, both above and in the Roubidoux Sandstone strata.
  10. Testing the Well
    1. When the depth of the well reaches a point which, in the opinion of the State Geologist's representative, requires a test for capacity, and upon instructions by the Constructor, the Contractor shall install casing and a pump for testing purposes and run a 24 hour test. This pump shall have a capacity of not less than 1000 G.P.M., and the Contractor shall install suitable gauges and apparatus for determining the flow (number of gallons per minute), drawdown, etc. Before the 24 hour test is started, the static level shall be determined.
    2. In order that the State Geologist may determine the rate of recharge of the well to its original static water level after pumping for the 24 hour period has ceased, it is desirable that the drawdown head and the return to static level be recorded at given intervals to the nearest hundredth of a foot. If the Contractor's equipment does not permit such accurate drawndown measurement. he should communicate with the State Geologist at Lawrence, Kansas or the State Geologist's representative at Pittsburg, Kansas and request permission for the use of their apparatus for this purpose. The Contractor should apply for this permission at least 10 days in advance of any contemplated testing operation.
    3. If the results of the tests for capacity and quality of water are satisfactory to the Constructor, Prime Contractor, and the State Board of Health, no further drilling will be done and the permanent seal shall be installed. If the results of the test are not satisfactory, the well will be shot, or drilling will be resumed. As many of these tests shall be made as are required by the Constructor upon advice of the State Geologist's representative. The Contractor shall state in his proposal the price bid for making the test as specified, using a pump furnished by himself.
  11. Shooting the Well
    1. If, in order to increase the flow of the well, the State Geologist's representative deems it advisable to shoot the well, the contractor shall do the shooting, or subcontract the shooting to an experienced and responsible sub-contractor fully equipped and qualified to do this work. The sand strata shall then be shot with not more than 1000 pounds of 100 percent blasting gelatine, the charges to be spaced throughout the depth of the formation, as recommended by the State Geologist's representative. The charges are to be sand tamped in order to obtain the best results possible and prevent damage to the liner.
    2. If it is necessary to shoot the well, the contractor shall remove from the hole all rock, sand, or other material loosened by the explosion or as a result of the shooting; and he shall take every precaution to insure against the loosened material faIling into the hole.
    3. Shooting shall be done only after agreed upon mutually by the Constructor, Prime Contractor, and the State Geologist.
  12. Drilling Below the Roubidoux Strata
    1. If for any reason it is determined by the Constructor, the Prime Contractor, and the State Geologist that it is desirable to continue the well below the Roubidoux sandstone, the Contractor shall do this work in accordance with the bid prices, which shall be stated in his proposal.
  13. Procedure, If Necessary to Extend Well Below Roubidoux Sandstone
    1. If necessary to proceed below the Roubidoux sandstone formation the following procedure shall be adopted: After passing through this formation, the Contractor shall take one gallon of water from the bottom of the well each morning, by means of the bailer, and place this water in suitable container for delivery to the State Geologist's representative. The Contractor shall indicate on the container the depth from which the water was obtained and the date of the sample. The water will be delivered to the State Geologist's representative by the Constructor and will be analyzed by the State Board of Health; or, if too much time is lost in this procedure, the Constructor will have the water sample analyzed locally. If the water is found unsatisfactory, the drilling operations will be stopped.
  14. Casing-Sizes, Weight, Etc.
    1. All casing and liners shall be new, genuine wrought iron well casing of the following sizes, and equal to Byers genuine wrought iron well casing: The 10 inch casing shall have an outside diameter of 10.75 inches and a wall thickness of .36 inch, weighing 41 pounds per foot with couplings (plus or minus 5 percent). This casing shall be standard oil well casing with standard couplings and threaded eight threads per inch. The casing shall be straight and free from imperfections with couplings of heavy wrought iron. The liner, if required, shall be of genuine wrought iron with outside diameter of 9 inches and a wall thickness of .34 inch, weighing 34 pounds per foot (plus or minus 5 percent). Connections shall be welded to reduce maximum external diameter.
  15. Sterilization of the Well
    1. Before making the final pumping test, the well shall be thoroughly disinfected by introducing calcium hypochlorite or bleaching powder at the bottom of the hole by means of the bailer. Five pounds of disinfectant (HTH) shall be used in order to assure satisfactory results. This shall be made into a smooth paste with a small amount of water. crushing out all lumps. It shall then be dissolved in about 5 gallons of water and introduced into the well as above specified.
  16. ApprovaL of State Board of Health
    1. These specifications shall be carried out and the well completed in a manner satisfactory to the State Board of Health of Kansas.
    2. The Contractor shall at all times protect the work from tampering and shall close the top of the hole in a manner satisfactory to the Constructor. so that the hole will be closed at all times when no representative of the contractor is present at the well site.
  17. Clean Up Process
    1. Upon completion of the work, the Contractor shall clean up the site and remove all machinery, equipment. and material to the satisfaction of the Constructing Quartermaster, U.S.A. The slush pond shall be drained and filled with top soil.
  18. Tools Lost In the well
    1. The Contractor shall assume all responsibility for his equipment and tools; and, should he lose a drill, bailer, or other piece of equipment in the well, he shall promptly recover same at his own expense.

Kansas Geological Survey
Placed on web Jan. 14, 2019; originally published Sept. 10, 1943.
Comments to webadmin@kgs.ku.edu
The URL for this page is http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/Bulletins/47_3/index.html