Page 1 - hs9701

Explanation of the Spring Pole

Explaining how the spring pole was used can be difficult, but if the presenting
adult understands it, they can describe it easier by using the example as an
illustration with more gestures than words.

Drawing by
S.T. Pees and Associates

A lot of wells were started with the spring-pole. This method required strong
legs and considerable time. The outfit was simple: a long pole, a weight to
anchor the butt end, a fulcrum, stirrup, manila rope, oak rods, downhole tools
including the percussion bit. More tools and other improvements would be
added to the drill string as time went on.

The stirrup would hang from the spring-pole very near to the intended
position of the borehole, maybe 3 1/2 feet to 4 feet from the working end of
the pole. It could be a piece of manila rope looped at the bottom or it could
resemble the stirrup on a saddle or look more like a playground swing. The drill
string (a vertical series of tools and components) would be fastened about 3
feet from the end of the pole. It would consist of manila rope or oak rods with
metal connectors, rope socket, a sinker bar, jars, an auger stem and a bit. The
downward push of the driller's leg in the stirrup would bring the tip of the pole
down and allow the bit to smack the rock. When the rock was smashed, or the
dirt loosened, a hollow pipe would be connected to pull it out and the well was
drilled just a little bit farther. A highly motivated operator could drill up to 2 or
3 feet in a day under optimal conditions

Once the railroad was developed in Santa Clarita, more modern drilling tools
could be shipped in. The first commercially successful oil well in california was
drilled here in Santa Clarita in 1877-CSO 4 in Mentryville.