TERRE HAUTE —
CountryMark officials are gushing over “a significant oil find” at a well site in eastern Vigo County.
The well has been tested for 21 days, CountryMark said Thursday in a news release, and is flowing about 400 barrels of oil per day through a choke. If opened wider, the well would be capable of producing significantly more oil, the company said.
“Securing American energy is CountryMark’s top priority,” president and CEO Charlie Smith said in the release. “Our strategy has been and will continue to be to invest in state-of-the art oil exploration and drilling technology, which will sustain oil production in the Illinois Basin and provide a reliable supply of Midwest American crude to our refinery in Mt. Vernon.”
The oil exploration in geologic formations is taking place on land described as Hulman Farms No. 1 (the Grace Hulman Real Estate Trust and Anton Hulman Jr. Real Estate Trust), about 400 feet west side of South Hunt Street near Indiana 42, close to the Terre Haute International Airport-Hulman Field.
In November, the Area Planning Commission for Vigo County unanimously approved a request for zoning changes to the 6.21 acres of Hulman Family property.
The land had been zoned an A-1 agricultural district, but was changed to M-O — a mining overlay district.
According to CountryMark officials, the Illinois Basin, of which the Terre Haute is part, produces about 35,000 barrels of crude oil daily within its 53,000-square mile depression underneath southern Illinois, western Indiana and western Kentucky.
Indiana’s overall crude production was 1.73 million barrels in 2005, ranking it 23rd in the U.S.
The Illinois Basin, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website, consists of predominantly sandstone resevoirs between 1,000 and 3,000 feet deep. Oil and gas discoveries within this formation can be found in up to 25 individual resevoirs, separated vertically or laterally, per field. More than 900 individual reservoirs are recognized in 500 southwestern Indiana fields, according to the IDNR.
Posey County paced the state’s permitting activity in 2009 with 68 registered that year, IDNR data reports. Knox County’s 65 permits was second, followed by Gibson’s 45, Sullivan’s 37, Pike’s 36, Greene’s 33 and Daviess’ 29. Vanderburgh County posted 11 permits that year with Clay County bringing in nine.
Gibson County leads the state in total number of oil wells with 1,262. Posey County is second with 1,221, followed by Pike with 614. Knox County is fifth in the state with 182, followed by Vanderburgh, 175; Daviess, 172; Sullivan, 140; and Greene, 132.
According to company information: CountryMark is a farmer-owned cooperative and Indiana’s only American-owned oil exploration, production, refining and marketing company. The company’s refinery is located in Mount Vernon, Ind., and was built in 1940. CountryMark refines 26,800 barrels of crude oil per day and is the largest buyer of crude oil in the Illinois Basin. CountryMark began oil exploration in 2008.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
Top Story 3
Related Photos
-
CountryMark logo
-
Notice: A placard on Hulman Farm property announces the intent to amend the zoning of said property late last year. File
Discussion
Oil struck in Eastern Vigo County
Test of well producing 400 barrels a day
- Top Story 3
-
-
PHOTOS: Wabash Valley Storm Damage
Photos from storm damage from around the Wabash Valley taken on May 26, 2011.
-
Plaza honors National Road’s influence on TH’s development
More than 100 students from Lost Creek Elementary School lined Seventh Street on a chilly Tuesday afternoon to participate in a formal dedication of the National Road Plaza, which serves as a south gateway for Indiana State University.
-
NEW: Former ISU standout, Indiana Basketball Hall of Famer Steve Hollenbeck dies at 64
Former Indiana State men’s basketball and baseball player Steve Hollenbeck died on Friday in Edinburgh. He was 64.
-
Oil struck in Eastern Vigo County
CountryMark officials are gushing over “a significant oil find” at a well site in eastern Vigo County.
-
Tanoos: School year will be extended
As of today, the Vigo County School Corp. has canceled five days of school this year because of bad weather conditions.
-
Wabash Valley hospitals use disaster plans to meet needs
The week’s crippling winter storms prompted both Union and Terre Haute Regional hospitals to activate disaster plans Tuesday, ensuring that quality medical care for patients continues uninterrupted.
-
Wabash Valley United Way gives peek at how it’s agencies help people
From family courts to basketball, United Way volunteers learned Thursday how their dollars help Valley residents cope with tough times.
-
Storm slams Vigo again; leaves 3K without power
A second powerful thunderstorm in two days left thousands of Vigo County residents without power Tuesday evening.
-
They know she can dance: 'So You Think You Can Dance' contestant has relatives in TH
Many Terre Haute residents will be glued to their TVs Wednesday and Thursday nights cheering on a dancer with strong ties to the Wabash Valley.
-
Walks hurt Rex in 4-3 loss to West Virginia
The Terre Haute Rex were their own worst enemy in the opening game of a doubleheader vs. the West Virginia Miners at Bob Warn Field on a hot, steamy — and eventually stormy — Sunday afternoon.
-
Level-headed North softball ready to play for state title
Being overlooked and underappreciated is a formula that hasn’t bothered the Patriots one bit so far this season. Considering the Patriots are 8-1 against ranked opponents, in fact, maybe it’s a blessing.
-
Rex slip in extras
Late Night at Bob Warn Field continued an unexpected run on Wednesday. Unfortunately for the Terre Haute Rex, their third extra-inning home game did not send the 861 fans home happy. On Tuesday, the Rex were able to overcome early struggles to win in the 11th inning. On Wednesday, the Rex spotted Hannibal a five-run lead, but rallied to force extra innings again. This time, Hannibal put two runs across in the 10th and the Rex had no response as Terre Haute lost 8-6.
-
Purchasing alcohol? You'll soon need a photo ID no matter what your age is
Just days before many celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, Hoosiers heading to grocery stores, convenience marts or liquor stores to purchase alcohol will need a photo ID under a new state mandatory
carding law. -
Created in Terre Haute, history of iconic Coca-Cola bottle clouded
The world knows Coca-Cola by its bottle. The contour container of “The Real Thing” is unmistakable, the most famous product package in history. People even can recognize it by touch in the dark.
-
Record-setting Special Olympics gets under way
Those rumblings through your floorboards weren’t earthquake tremors Friday night, rather the vibration of a record-busting Special Olympics program inside Hulman Center’s arena.
-
Maggie's Garden: Students honor former classmate
Packets of seeds to plant in honor of Margaret Elaine Vicory went home with all students and adults at Ouabache Elementary School on Thursday.
-
UAP Clinic, ISU enter into agreement on student health services
UAP Clinic has begun providing student health services at Indiana State University, officials say.
The two parties have a temporary agreement for the summer while they iron out final contract details, said Teresa Exline, ISU special assistant to the president for internal relations. -
North softball advances to semistate with 2-1 win over East Central
Asked how she felt pitching with one out and the bases loaded and her team leading East Central by one measly run in the top of the seventh inning, Terre Haute North’s Bethany Sullivan laughed before answering. Rest assured, however, the senior right-hander didn’t find that situation amusing Tuesday night during the Class 4A regional championship game in front of an overflow crowd at the Patriots’ softball diamond.
-
4 in a row: South claims fourth straight sectional title with 2-1 win over North
Sometimes baseball has a way of making plans irrelevant.
Host Terre Haute North was able to save the pitcher it wanted for the championship game of its Class 4A sectional on Monday, finessing its way through a nervous 11-6 win over Plainfield in one semifinal game, while Terre Haute South used ace A.J. Reed to pull off an 11-1 win over Northview earlier in the day.
And in the championship game, North’s Bryan Nacke pitched well — just not quite as well as unheralded Josh Dove and Brent Mulvihill of South, which won its fourth straight high school baseball sectional championship by a 2-1 score. -
Pushin' for 4: Castroneves seeks to become fourth driver to take four checkered flags
One of the biggest questions awaiting an answer from the 94th running of the Indianapolis 500 Sunday is “Can he do it?” Helio Castroneves is sitting in the catbird seat in his quest to become the fourth four-time winner. The pole-sitter could join A.J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in a unique club at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mears was the last driver to earn four wins, the last in 1991. Ironically, Mears works very closely with Castroneves during races.
-
Riley fifth-grader receives annual Cameron Langenfeld Character Award
Three years after the death of Riley student Cameron Langenfeld, the annual award given in his name still touches students as they reach the age at which he died.
-
MARK BENNETT: Legacy of Mordecai Brown holds special place for Terre Haute
Guys with a lifetime ERA of 2.06 don’t pump your gas anymore. Actually, most Americans fill their own tanks nowadays. But even if old-school filling stations still existed, the last man you’d expect to tap on your window and ask “Fill ’er up?” would be a Hall of Famer with two World Series rings for the Chicago Cubs.
-
Many 12 Points business owners seeking amendment to secondhand dealer ordinance
Many business owners in Terre Haute’s 12 Points business district are hoping for a change in the city’s new secondhand merchants ordinance.
-
Clark County development officials work to keep businesses moving forward
Clark County, Ill., business and economic development leaders are keeping a positive attitude despite the county’s high unemployment rate.
-
Honey Creek holds annual writers fair
Speaking to a gymnasium filled with Vigo County middle school students, Michael Shelden, a successful writer and longtime educator, followed the advice of Mark Twain who said public speakers should keep their presentations short.
-
Terre Haute attorneys competing to raise food, donations for charities
Terre Haute attorneys are going to see who can set the bar the highest in a competition designed to help hungry families.
-
Wyatt Jones, 8, collecting toys to send to children in Haiti
A Vigo County third-grader will soon be making a big difference in the lives of hundreds of needy children in Haiti.
-
High schoolers lend hand in rebuilding Deborah’s House
Volunteering youth took a once-condemned property by storm Saturday morning, assisting a local not-for-profit shelter the homeless.
“We’re hoping to have an open house in June,” Muriel Ryan said outside the property known as Deborah’s House at 2808 S. 11 1⁄2 St. -
Community gardeners break ground
Temperatures drizzled about the 40s Saturday afternoon as dozens of volunteers readied their garden plots for cool weather vegetables.
-
Hayhurst gets 8 years for shooting wife in head
A Vigo County man received an eight-year prison sentence after admitting that he shot his wife in the head last year just days after she had moved out of their home.
- More Top Story 3 Headlines
-
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
New Medicine. Can IPads Help Spot Dementia Risk?
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Raw Video: Dramatic 270-Foot Waterfall Rescue
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
Daisy Sizzles in Sexy Swimwear
Officers Use Deadly Force on Mountain Lion in Santa Monica
Lea Michele Shows Major Skin
Why Cee Lo Thinks 'The Voice' is So Popular
Burlesque New Orleans
Mike Posner Talks Sneakers: Bamboozle 2012
Howard Stern Makes Kid Cry on AGT
Neighbor Feud Results in Dog Poop in Mailbox
Tiger's Ex-Wife Bares Her Bod
VIDEO | Zoo Chimp Charges Children
Child locked in washing machine after father put him there
Incubus On Working With Odd Future: Bamboozle 2012
'PLL' First Look Clip!
Fired for being 'too hot'
Ashley Olsen is a Bikini Babe
'Part of Me' Details 'Bumpy' Marriage, Says Katy
Music downloader owes nearly $700K in fines
Kardashian Sisters Pose in Lingerie
