Lajos Lóczy Sen. as a hydrocarbon researcher

Abstract

The hydrocarbon expert research activity of Lajos LÓCZY Sen began in 1893, when he first visited the Romanian oil region of Câmpina, and made a detailed geological report of the area. In 1896 he set the location of oil well No. III. He returned to the area three more times, and in 1911 he carried out further investigations. In 1907, at the request of the Ministry of Finance, he became involved in the exploration of potash in Transylvania, initiated on the basis of his expert opinion and leading to the discovery of the gas fields of the Mezőség (Transylvanian Plain). At that time Károly PAPP, Jenő CHOLNOKY and other geologists and mining expert also worked with him. Based on his research, he set the Nagysármás–1 (now Sărm㲺u, Romania) drilling site site but, unfortunately this turned out to be barren. After further new research, more success was achieved when the oil well No. II was deepened at Kissár más (Sărm㲺el). The drilling was stopped in April 1908 at 301.9 m after a huge gas eruption. Further studies have con firmed that the Mezőség area is rich in gas-bearing formations. Together with Hugó BÖCKH, Lajos LÓCZY co-directed geo lo gical research in Transylvania until 1911. After that, natural gas exploration came under the full control of Hugó BÖCKH.