Oil wellIn 1865, for the first time in the U.S., an oil well was shot by torpedo near Titusville, Pennsylvania, by Col. E.A.L. Roberts on the Ladies Well using 8 pounds of black powder. The torpedo, which is an iron case with up to 15-20 pounds of powder, is lowered into a well, down to the spot, as near as can be ascertained, where it is necessary to explode it. It is then exploded by means of a cap on the torpedo, connected with the top of the shell by a wire. The object of the torpedo is to clean out all the deposits at the bottom of the well such as gravel, pieces of seed-bag, etc., as well as to open the fissures, where the oil comes through. These frequently become perfectly clogged with paraffine, and other matter that effectually prevents the production of oil from the well. |
