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By Eugene S. Perry

The most notable development in oil and gas operations in Montana during 1938 were extensions to the Kevin-Sunburst and Cut Bank fields. No new fields were discovered, although about 20 widely scattered wildcat wells were operated. Within or adjacent to proved fields about 100 wells were drilled, resulting in 81 oil wells and 14 gas wells. In general, production activities were below those of 1937, largely because of market conditions. Markets for crude were improved late in the year by construction of refinerirs at Pocatello, Idaho, Spokane, Washington and Cut Bank; and also by price concessions. However, demand was much

Jan 1, 1939

By Eugene S. Perry

The most notable development in oil and gas operations in Montana during 1938 were extensions to the Kevin-Sunburst and Cut Bank fields. No new fields were discovered, although about 20 widely scattered wildcat wells were operated. Within or adjacent to proved fields about 100 wells were drilled, resulting in 81 oil wells and 14 gas wells. In general, production activities were below those of 1937, largely because of market conditions. Markets for crude were improved late in the year by construction of refinerirs at Pocatello, Idaho, Spokane, Washington and Cut Bank; and also by price concessions. However, demand was much

Jan 1, 1939

By Eugene S. Perry

The most outstanding event in oil and gas development in Montana during 1936 was the discovery of oil in the Baker-Glendive gas field, in the extreme eastern part of the state. Other notable achievements were small extensions in the Cut Bank oil field; continued favorable results of acidization in the Kevin-Sunburst oil field; and the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities about 20 miles southwest of Billings, on what is known as the Mosser dome. Several wildcat wells were drilled. For the coming year of 1937, it is anticipated that the main activities will be confined to drilling in or near known fields. During 1936 Montana had seven fields producing oil, but over 95 per cent of oil production came from four fields, which in order of importance are: Cut Bank, Kevin-Sunburst, Cat Creek and Pondera. Total production for the state was 5,850,893 bbl., which is 1,251,761 bbl. more than the total for 1935. Natural gas was produced and marketed from eight fields, most important being Cut Bank, Baker-Glendive, Kevin-Sunburst and Dry Creek. These four fields accounted for over 85 per cent of total state gas production, which is slightly greater than the 1935 production of nearly 18 billion cubic feet. Increase in gas consumption is due in part to increase in smelter operation. More detailed information pertaining to the various fields is given in Table 1. In the Baker-Glendive field a test 8186 ft. deep, 15 miles southeast of Baker, was completed by the Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. in 1936. The first gas-bearing sandstone (Judith Hiver horizon, Upper Cretaceous) was found at a depth of 528 ft., and a second sand at 1167 ft. Sandstones of the Dakota formation, in which occurred water, were found from 3724 to 3853 ft. White sandstone correlated with the Tensleep (Minnelusa) formation of Pennsylvanian age was found from 5631 to 5751 ft. deep. The lower 1900 ft. of the well (below 6278 ft.) was essentially in limestone and dolomite, and information on correlation of formations in this mass of sediments is not available at this time. The upper portion of this part of the well contained much anhydrite. Cherty and dolomitic limestone below 7000 ft. may be equivalent to limestones of the Madison formation. The thickness of strata beneath the Dakota formation was

Jan 1, 1937

By E. H. Wells, A. Andreas

Greater progress than in any previous year was accomplished by the oil industry in New Mexico in 1936. The total number of completions in the state was 631, of which 549 were oil wells, 21 were hydrocarbon gas wells, three were carbon dioxide gas wells, and 58 were dry holes. The total oil production for the year was 26,804,446 bbl. Compared with the production for 1935 of 20,228,947 bbl., this represented a gain of 32.5 per cent. Of the total production, 25,337,382 bbl. came from Lea County. The average daily nonmarginal well allowable for that county was 115 bbl. the first of the year and 86 bbl. at the close. Production was regulated by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission,

Jan 1, 1937

By A. Andreas

New Mexico retained its position in 1938 as the sixth largest oil-producing state, with a total production of 35,510,176 bbl. This was 2,875,598 bbl. less than the 1937 production of 38,485,774 bbl., or a decrease of 0.077 per cent, which was caused by the lack of pipe-line facilities and storage at the pipe-line terminals. The production for Lea County (excluding Maljamar) was 32,926,788 bbl.; for Eddy County (including Maljamar) was 2,225,411 bbl.; and for northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 357,977 bbl. The average daily nonmarginal well allowable for Lea County on Jan. 1, 1938, was 65 bbl. At the close of the year it was 49 bbl. The average daily pipe-line runs for domestic consumption were less than the state allowables recommended by the United States Bureau of Mines. There was a demand for Artesia crude for foreign export, which if included in the daily production for New Mexico would be slightly in excess of the daily production recommended for New Mexico by the Bureau of Mines. The daily average production for the year was 97,329 barrels. There were 622 completions in the state, of which 520 were oil wells; 16 hydrocarbon gas wells; 5 carbon dioxide gas wells, and 81 dry holes. Of the dry holes 38 were in or near-by proven fields and the remainder, 43, were wildcats. Five new fields were discovered in New Mexico during 1938, three in Lea County and two in Eddy County. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County.—The Monumcnt field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 9,440,334 bbl., and was closely followed by the Eunice field with 8,872,335 bbl. The Hobbs field was third with 5,010,414 bbl. The greatest activity in Lea County was in the Vacuum pool, with 129 completions, of which 126 were oil wells and three were dry holes. The Texas Company completed its Corbin NO. 1 in the KW 1/4 SW1/4 sec. 10, T. 18 S., R. 33 E. in August. This well was drilled to a depth of 5118 ft. in a white sand, encountering salt water. It was plugged back to 4315 ft, and pumped 43 bbl. of 36" gravity oil in 12 hr. It was approximately 6 miles southwest of the closest production in the Vacuum

Jan 1, 1939

By A. Andreas

New Mexico retained its position in 1938 as the sixth largest oil-producing state, with a total production of 35,510,176 bbl. This was 2,875,598 bbl. less than the 1937 production of 38,485,774 bbl., or a decrease of 0.077 per cent, which was caused by the lack of pipe-line facilities and storage at the pipe-line terminals. The production for Lea County (excluding Maljamar) was 32,926,788 bbl.; for Eddy County (including Maljamar) was 2,225,411 bbl.; and for northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 357,977 bbl. The average daily nonmarginal well allowable for Lea County on Jan. 1, 1938, was 65 bbl. At the close of the year it was 49 bbl. The average daily pipe-line runs for domestic consumption were less than the state allowables recommended by the United States Bureau of Mines. There was a demand for Artesia crude for foreign export, which if included in the daily production for New Mexico would be slightly in excess of the daily production recommended for New Mexico by the Bureau of Mines. The daily average production for the year was 97,329 barrels. There were 622 completions in the state, of which 520 were oil wells; 16 hydrocarbon gas wells; 5 carbon dioxide gas wells, and 81 dry holes. Of the dry holes 38 were in or near-by proven fields and the remainder, 43, were wildcats. Five new fields were discovered in New Mexico during 1938, three in Lea County and two in Eddy County. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County.—The Monumcnt field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 9,440,334 bbl., and was closely followed by the Eunice field with 8,872,335 bbl. The Hobbs field was third with 5,010,414 bbl. The greatest activity in Lea County was in the Vacuum pool, with 129 completions, of which 126 were oil wells and three were dry holes. The Texas Company completed its Corbin NO. 1 in the KW 1/4 SW1/4 sec. 10, T. 18 S., R. 33 E. in August. This well was drilled to a depth of 5118 ft. in a white sand, encountering salt water. It was plugged back to 4315 ft, and pumped 43 bbl. of 36" gravity oil in 12 hr. It was approximately 6 miles southwest of the closest production in the Vacuum

Jan 1, 1939

By A. Andreas

New Mexico, after several years as the sixth ranking oil-producing state, was surpassed by Illinois and for 1939 ranks seventh in the United States. Oil production for 1939 was 36,746,840 bbl. Production for 1938 was 35,510,176 bbl., a gain of 0.033 per cent. Production for the year would have been greater had there been a pipe-line outlet for the Vacuum field. The complete shutdown during the latter part of August covering a period of 15 days meant a production loss of over 1,500,000 bbl. of oil. Daily production allowable as set by the Oil Conservation Commission has followed very closely the recommendations of the Bureau of Mines. It has been found that the recommended allowables as quoted by the Bureau of Mines do not always reflect the actual demand, as there is a considerable lag hetween the recommended amounts and the current demands. During the year the various operating companies have done considerable remedial work in setting packers to reduce the gas-oil ratios in the various fields. Six new fields were discovered in New Mexico during 1939; three in Lea County, two in Eddy County and one in Chaves County. In the early part of 1939 a committee composed of the various engineers and geologists recommended subdividing the old Artesia area into various producing pools. This division was accepted, therefore the total number of producing fields in New Mexico is considerably greater than the number of fields in 1938, but does not represent new fields discovered during the year. The southeastern area continues to he the largest producer of oil. During the year 2,716,551 bbl. were produced in Eddy County and 33,690,996 bbl. in Lea County. Total production ill the northwestern part of the state, which includes San ,Juan and McKinley Counties, was 338,293 bbl. At the beginning of the year the daily average nonmarginal well allowable for Lea County was 48 bbl. At the close of the year it was 49 bbl. The daily average production for the year was 97,313 bbl. During the year, 659 wells were drilled in the state, of which 565 were producing oil wells, 15 gas wells, 6 carbon dioxide gas wells and 73 dry holes. Summarized at meeting; manuscript received at the office of the Institute March 18, 1940. * State Geologist, member of New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. Andreas

New Mexico, after several years as the sixth ranking oil-producing state, was surpassed by Illinois and for 1939 ranks seventh in the United States. Oil production for 1939 was 36,746,840 bbl. Production for 1938 was 35,510,176 bbl., a gain of 0.033 per cent. Production for the year would have been greater had there been a pipe-line outlet for the Vacuum field. The complete shutdown during the latter part of August covering a period of 15 days meant a production loss of over 1,500,000 bbl. of oil. Daily production allowable as set by the Oil Conservation Commission has followed very closely the recommendations of the Bureau of Mines. It has been found that the recommended allowables as quoted by the Bureau of Mines do not always reflect the actual demand, as there is a considerable lag hetween the recommended amounts and the current demands. During the year the various operating companies have done considerable remedial work in setting packers to reduce the gas-oil ratios in the various fields. Six new fields were discovered in New Mexico during 1939; three in Lea County, two in Eddy County and one in Chaves County. In the early part of 1939 a committee composed of the various engineers and geologists recommended subdividing the old Artesia area into various producing pools. This division was accepted, therefore the total number of producing fields in New Mexico is considerably greater than the number of fields in 1938, but does not represent new fields discovered during the year. The southeastern area continues to he the largest producer of oil. During the year 2,716,551 bbl. were produced in Eddy County and 33,690,996 bbl. in Lea County. Total production ill the northwestern part of the state, which includes San ,Juan and McKinley Counties, was 338,293 bbl. At the beginning of the year the daily average nonmarginal well allowable for Lea County was 48 bbl. At the close of the year it was 49 bbl. The daily average production for the year was 97,313 bbl. During the year, 659 wells were drilled in the state, of which 565 were producing oil wells, 15 gas wells, 6 carbon dioxide gas wells and 73 dry holes. Summarized at meeting; manuscript received at the office of the Institute March 18, 1940. * State Geologist, member of New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Jan 1, 1940

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 39,751,868 bbl. of oil in 1941 and ranked seventh among the oil-producing states. Its 1941 production established an annual record, exceeding the 1940 record year by 854,498 bbl. The average daily production for the year was 108,909 bbl. The average daily non-marginal well allowable for New Mexico on Jan. I, 1941, was 36 bbl.; at the close of the year it was 43 bbl. The average daily pipe-linc runs were approximately 3 per cent less than the allocations of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, which followed closely the recommendation of the United States Bureau of Mines in setting the daily outlet demand. The production in Lea County was 34,333,448 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,009,354 bbl.; and northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 406,306 barrels. The total number of completions in the state was 402, of which 301 were oil wells, 19 gas wells, and 82 dry holes. Drilling during 1941 was 68 per cent of 1940, and the ratio of dry holes to producers, I to 4, was the greatest since 1935. Of these dry holes 43 were drilled in proven fields and 39 were wildcats. One new oil field and one new gas field were discovered as a result of the 1941 wildcatting program. However, numerous extensions were made to the existing fields, which, although they were called extensions to proration areas, were in reality field discoveries, being on separate geologic structures. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County The Monument field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 6,973,808 bbl. It was closely followed by the Eunice field, with 6,644,181 bbl.; Vacuum field, with 4,800,608 bbl. and Hobbs, with 3,624,159 bbl. Hobbs field, however, still has the largest total recovery, this being 97,407,929 bbl. at the end of 1941. The new oil-field discovery in Lea County during 1941 was the Salt Lake field, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. The discovery well was Leonard-Welch State No. I, NW. NW. of sec. 18, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. This well was drilled to a total depth of 3103 ft. and was completed for an initial production of 250 bbl. per day pumping. The oil is 26" gravity and the producing horizon is in the San Andres limestone of Permian age. The discovery well was completed on June 22, 1941, and since that date four more producers have been completed, with no failures. The area is about 10 miles north-west of the Lynch pool, to which the oil from this field is being trucked because there is no pipe-line connection. The greatest drilling activity during 1947 was in the Maljamar field of western Lea County, with 62 completions, 59 being oil wells and 3 dry holes. The limits of this pool are now being defined on the north and south but to date have not been defined either to the east or west. The total number of 40-acre oil-producing units in the field at the close of the year was 158. On April I, 1941, a pressure-maintenance project was installed at the southern end

Jan 1, 1942

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 39,751,868 bbl. of oil in 1941 and ranked seventh among the oil-producing states. Its 1941 production established an annual record, exceeding the 1940 record year by 854,498 bbl. The average daily production for the year was 108,909 bbl. The average daily non-marginal well allowable for New Mexico on Jan. I, 1941, was 36 bbl.; at the close of the year it was 43 bbl. The average daily pipe-linc runs were approximately 3 per cent less than the allocations of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, which followed closely the recommendation of the United States Bureau of Mines in setting the daily outlet demand. The production in Lea County was 34,333,448 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,009,354 bbl.; and northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 406,306 barrels. The total number of completions in the state was 402, of which 301 were oil wells, 19 gas wells, and 82 dry holes. Drilling during 1941 was 68 per cent of 1940, and the ratio of dry holes to producers, I to 4, was the greatest since 1935. Of these dry holes 43 were drilled in proven fields and 39 were wildcats. One new oil field and one new gas field were discovered as a result of the 1941 wildcatting program. However, numerous extensions were made to the existing fields, which, although they were called extensions to proration areas, were in reality field discoveries, being on separate geologic structures. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County The Monument field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 6,973,808 bbl. It was closely followed by the Eunice field, with 6,644,181 bbl.; Vacuum field, with 4,800,608 bbl. and Hobbs, with 3,624,159 bbl. Hobbs field, however, still has the largest total recovery, this being 97,407,929 bbl. at the end of 1941. The new oil-field discovery in Lea County during 1941 was the Salt Lake field, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. The discovery well was Leonard-Welch State No. I, NW. NW. of sec. 18, T. 20 S., R. 33 E. This well was drilled to a total depth of 3103 ft. and was completed for an initial production of 250 bbl. per day pumping. The oil is 26" gravity and the producing horizon is in the San Andres limestone of Permian age. The discovery well was completed on June 22, 1941, and since that date four more producers have been completed, with no failures. The area is about 10 miles north-west of the Lynch pool, to which the oil from this field is being trucked because there is no pipe-line connection. The greatest drilling activity during 1947 was in the Maljamar field of western Lea County, with 62 completions, 59 being oil wells and 3 dry holes. The limits of this pool are now being defined on the north and south but to date have not been defined either to the east or west. The total number of 40-acre oil-producing units in the field at the close of the year was 158. On April I, 1941, a pressure-maintenance project was installed at the southern end

Jan 1, 1942

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 31,913,816 bbl. of oil in 1942, the lowest annual production since 1936, and dropped one place to rank eighth among oil-producing states. This production decreased 7,838,052 bbl., or 19.71 per cent, from the 1941 figure is the result of transportation difficulties caused by the dislocation of tanker sailings to east coast ports. The average per-well allowable in New Mexico on Jan. I, 1942, was 43 bbl. and at the end of the year was 38 bbl. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission followed the recommendations of the Petroleum Administrator for War. After setting the daily outlet, however, the average daily pipe-line runs were 87,545 bbl.—11.06 per cent short of these allocations. Production for Lea County was 26,812,949 bbl., Eddy County 4,624,578 bbl., northwestern New Mexico 473,609 bbl., Chaves County 2,680 barrels. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1942 was approximately 84 per cent of that in 1941 with 339 completions. Of these completions 254 were oil wells, II gas wells, and 74 dry holes. Proven fields accounted for 55 of the dry holes and 19 were wildcats. Three new oil fields and one new gas field were discovered as the result of wildcat drilling. Extensions were made to one oil field and one gas field. By the close of the year, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission had designated 59 areas as proven for oil and/or gas. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County Monument was again the largest producing field in the state, with 5,729,336 bbl.; Eunice was next, with 5,217,965; Vacuum produced 3,295,624 and Hobbs 2,973,488. The Hobbs field has the largest accumulated production, which at the close of 1942 totaled 100,381,417 bbl. The 100-million-barrel mark for Hobbs focused attention on the fact that this is the first field in the state to attain this figure, and also that, as Hobbs has been under continuous proration since July 1930, or approximately the entire life of the field, this 100-million-barrel recovery was obtained with 86 per cent of the wells in the pool still flowing and having a drop in bottom-hole pressure of only 3.5 Ib. per million barrels recovered. Hobbs stands out as perhaps the best regulated major oil field in the world. Two new oil fields were discovered in Lca County, the most inlportant being the area designated as East Lusk, consisting of the south 4 tiers of Sections in T. 19 S., R. 32 E. The discovery well was drilled in the SW. SW. 1/4 of sec. 21, T. 19 S., R. 32 E., by Culbertson and Irwin, Inc., and others. It was completed at a total depth of 2751 ft. in the Seven Rivers formation of Permian age. The initial potential of the well was 237 bbl. per day on pump. The oil produced has a gravity of 24.10 A.P.I., with sulphur content of 0.9 per cent. This oil has an asphaltic base and because

Jan 1, 1943

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 31,913,816 bbl. of oil in 1942, the lowest annual production since 1936, and dropped one place to rank eighth among oil-producing states. This production decreased 7,838,052 bbl., or 19.71 per cent, from the 1941 figure is the result of transportation difficulties caused by the dislocation of tanker sailings to east coast ports. The average per-well allowable in New Mexico on Jan. I, 1942, was 43 bbl. and at the end of the year was 38 bbl. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission followed the recommendations of the Petroleum Administrator for War. After setting the daily outlet, however, the average daily pipe-line runs were 87,545 bbl.—11.06 per cent short of these allocations. Production for Lea County was 26,812,949 bbl., Eddy County 4,624,578 bbl., northwestern New Mexico 473,609 bbl., Chaves County 2,680 barrels. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1942 was approximately 84 per cent of that in 1941 with 339 completions. Of these completions 254 were oil wells, II gas wells, and 74 dry holes. Proven fields accounted for 55 of the dry holes and 19 were wildcats. Three new oil fields and one new gas field were discovered as the result of wildcat drilling. Extensions were made to one oil field and one gas field. By the close of the year, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission had designated 59 areas as proven for oil and/or gas. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County Monument was again the largest producing field in the state, with 5,729,336 bbl.; Eunice was next, with 5,217,965; Vacuum produced 3,295,624 and Hobbs 2,973,488. The Hobbs field has the largest accumulated production, which at the close of 1942 totaled 100,381,417 bbl. The 100-million-barrel mark for Hobbs focused attention on the fact that this is the first field in the state to attain this figure, and also that, as Hobbs has been under continuous proration since July 1930, or approximately the entire life of the field, this 100-million-barrel recovery was obtained with 86 per cent of the wells in the pool still flowing and having a drop in bottom-hole pressure of only 3.5 Ib. per million barrels recovered. Hobbs stands out as perhaps the best regulated major oil field in the world. Two new oil fields were discovered in Lca County, the most inlportant being the area designated as East Lusk, consisting of the south 4 tiers of Sections in T. 19 S., R. 32 E. The discovery well was drilled in the SW. SW. 1/4 of sec. 21, T. 19 S., R. 32 E., by Culbertson and Irwin, Inc., and others. It was completed at a total depth of 2751 ft. in the Seven Rivers formation of Permian age. The initial potential of the well was 237 bbl. per day on pump. The oil produced has a gravity of 24.10 A.P.I., with sulphur content of 0.9 per cent. This oil has an asphaltic base and because

Jan 1, 1943

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 38,882,342 bbl. of oil in 1943, and regained seventh place among the oil-producing states. This production was an increase of 6,968,526 bbl., or 21.8 per cent, over the figure for 1942. The maximum per-well allowable on Jan. I, 1943, was 38 bbl. daily and at the end of the year this figure had been increased to 48 bbl. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission closely followed recommendations by the Petroleum Administrator for War and the average daily pipe-line runs were 106,476 bbl., being within 2.2 per cent of these allocations. Production for Lea County was 33,043,925 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,405,-967 bbl.; northwestern New Mexico, 432,070 bbl., and Chaves County, 380 barrels. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1943 was only 75 per cent of that in 1942, with 255 completions. Of these completions 180 were oil wells, 10 gas wells and 65 dry holes. The ratio of dry holes to producers, more than I to 3, was the greatest in recent years. Of these dry holes, 46 were drilled within the boundaries of proven . areas while 19 were wildcats. Wildcat drilling during 1943 was responsible for the discovery of four new oil fields and one new gas field, as well as three extensions to existing proration areas. At the close of the year the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission had designated 64 areas as proven for oil and/or gas. The Monument area was again New Mexico's largest producing oil field, with an annual production of 7,228,855 bbl. Next was Eunice, with 6,461,044 bbl., followed by Vacuum with 4,946,110 bbl. IIobbs, ranking fourth, with 3,799,114 bbl., was the leader in total recovery with an accumulated production of 104,180,53I bbl., or more than 10,000 bbl. per acre to date. Drilling activity in Lea County accounted for completion of 67 oil wells, 2 gas wells and 24 dry holes. One of these oil wells was the discovery well of a new area and three extended proven areas. The most active drilling campaign in the county was again in the Maljamar area, where 18 oil wells were completed. The Maljamar Cooperative Repressuring Agreement affected 141 producing wells, and operations were a decided success, more than 85 per cent of the gas produced being returned to formation. The new oil field for Lea County was designated as the San Simon area although boundaries have not been established to date. Discovery well for this area was the Skelly Oil Company's State U. No. I, in theNE. NE. K of sec. 5, T.22 S.,R.ssE. This well was drilled to a total depth of 4183 ft. and plugged back to 4138 ft. after encountering bottom-hole water. Initial production was 124 bbl. per day on the pump. This oil is 37.4' gravity and has a sulphur content of I per cent. Productian is from Yates sand of Permian age. The Lynn area of southern Lea cbunty was extended 145 miles to the northwest

Jan 1, 1944

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 38,882,342 bbl. of oil in 1943, and regained seventh place among the oil-producing states. This production was an increase of 6,968,526 bbl., or 21.8 per cent, over the figure for 1942. The maximum per-well allowable on Jan. I, 1943, was 38 bbl. daily and at the end of the year this figure had been increased to 48 bbl. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission closely followed recommendations by the Petroleum Administrator for War and the average daily pipe-line runs were 106,476 bbl., being within 2.2 per cent of these allocations. Production for Lea County was 33,043,925 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,405,-967 bbl.; northwestern New Mexico, 432,070 bbl., and Chaves County, 380 barrels. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1943 was only 75 per cent of that in 1942, with 255 completions. Of these completions 180 were oil wells, 10 gas wells and 65 dry holes. The ratio of dry holes to producers, more than I to 3, was the greatest in recent years. Of these dry holes, 46 were drilled within the boundaries of proven . areas while 19 were wildcats. Wildcat drilling during 1943 was responsible for the discovery of four new oil fields and one new gas field, as well as three extensions to existing proration areas. At the close of the year the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission had designated 64 areas as proven for oil and/or gas. The Monument area was again New Mexico's largest producing oil field, with an annual production of 7,228,855 bbl. Next was Eunice, with 6,461,044 bbl., followed by Vacuum with 4,946,110 bbl. IIobbs, ranking fourth, with 3,799,114 bbl., was the leader in total recovery with an accumulated production of 104,180,53I bbl., or more than 10,000 bbl. per acre to date. Drilling activity in Lea County accounted for completion of 67 oil wells, 2 gas wells and 24 dry holes. One of these oil wells was the discovery well of a new area and three extended proven areas. The most active drilling campaign in the county was again in the Maljamar area, where 18 oil wells were completed. The Maljamar Cooperative Repressuring Agreement affected 141 producing wells, and operations were a decided success, more than 85 per cent of the gas produced being returned to formation. The new oil field for Lea County was designated as the San Simon area although boundaries have not been established to date. Discovery well for this area was the Skelly Oil Company's State U. No. I, in theNE. NE. K of sec. 5, T.22 S.,R.ssE. This well was drilled to a total depth of 4183 ft. and plugged back to 4138 ft. after encountering bottom-hole water. Initial production was 124 bbl. per day on the pump. This oil is 37.4' gravity and has a sulphur content of I per cent. Productian is from Yates sand of Permian age. The Lynn area of southern Lea cbunty was extended 145 miles to the northwest

Jan 1, 1944

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 39,475,388 bbl. of oil in 1944, the greatest amount in one year in the oil history of the state. This production was 593,046 bbl. or 1.25 per cent more than in 1943. New Mexico retained its position as the seventh largest oil-producing state. The maximum per well allowable on Jan. I, 1944 was 48 bbl. daily and at the end of the year it was 45 bbl. daily. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission closely followed the recommendations made by the' Petroleum Administrator for War. The average daily pipe-line runs were within 4 per cent of the allocation. Production by counties was as fol1ows;Lea County, 33,509,548 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,504,498; Northwestern New Mexico 461, 342. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1944 was well above that of 1943, with 362 completions. Of these, 283 were oil wells, 12 gas wells and 67 dry holes. The ratio of dry holes to producers, about I to 4, was an improvement over 1943. Wildcat drilling during 1944 was responsible for the discovery of six new fields and the extension of two present producing areas. Drilling records were established in New Mexico during 1944 with the deepest producer ever completed, the Humble Leonard Oil Company's No. I at 11,969 ft., in the Ellenburger section of Ordovician age near Jal, Lea County. The discoveries in Lea County during 1944 were as follows: West Lovington field, where Fred Turner, Jr. drilled his No. I State B .in C SE SW sec. 4-17-36 and completed it for 122 bbl. of oil in 8 1/2 hr., in the San Andreas section of Permian age. The Tonto field, where the T-exas Company completed its No. I Baskin at a total depth of 3586 ft. in Seven Rivers lime of Permian age, with an initial production of 254 bbl. of oil in 21 hours. The Drinkard area, where the Gulf Oil Corporation's Drinkard No. I flowed 782 bbl. of oil in 14 hr. from the Yeso section of lower Permian age, thus opening the first lower Permian production in the state. The total depth of this discovery was 6508 ft. and oil was 38.8" A.P.I. gravity. The Dublin area, where the Humble Oil and Refining Co. established a drilling depth record of 11,969 ft. drilling and completing its No. I Leonard Oil Co. well in the Ellenburger lime of Ordovician age. This well flowed 221 bbl. of oil per day, of 48.9º A.P.I. gravity oil. It is in sec. 12-26-37. The new pay horizon discovery of the Continental Oil Co. in the Skaggs area, where the company completed its Skaggs B-23 No. 2 in sec. 23-20-37 for 236 bbl. of oil in 21 hr. from the Wolfcamp section of lower Permian age, at a total depth of 7725 ft. This well was drilled to granite at 10,465 ft. and plugged back to the Wolf-camp for a new pay zone completion.

Jan 1, 1945

By C. A. Hartnagel

The year 1944 marks the eightieth anniversary of the discovery of petroleum by drilling in New York State. It was in 1864 that a half dozen shallow wells were drilled at Limestone in Cattaraugus County, in a region that now forms the northern extension of the 82,000-acre Bradford pool. These early wells found oil, but not in paying quantities. They did, however, attract attention to the district and were a factor in the development of the still active Bradford pool of Pennsylvania and New York. During 1943, the production of petroleum in New York amounted to 5,029,000 bbl. This represents a decrease over the previous year, in which 5,421,000 bbl. was produced. The flush production for the New York fields occurred in the early eighties shortly after the discovery of oil in the Richburg pool of Allegany County. During the flush period, production was in excess of five million barrels annually. By 1887, however, the output had decreased to an amount only slightly more than two million barrels, and through the early years of the present century the annual total was often less than one million barrels. Flooding of the oil sands for increasing productioil was made legal in 1919, and in 1927 the output once more reached the two million mark. Two years later it had increased to over three million barrels. In Table r is shown production since 1935, in which year for the first time the output under flooding methods was in excess of four million barrels. From this table, it is evident that oil production in New 'I'ork is rather well stabilized, and since most of the oil is obtained by the flooding, or water-drive, method, with little or no prospect of discovery of new oil territory, rapid changes in yield from year to year are not to be expected. In thickness, the oil sands have a maximum of about 50 ft., and by means oi flooding may produce 10 to 12 thousand barrels an acre and proportional amounts for thinner sands. In some cases, floods have been developed in sands only 12 ft. thick. Under good flooding conditions a yield of 2000 bbl. an acre is about the lower limit at which oil can bc produced at the present price of $3.00 a barrel. The average cost for the physical development ol a lease, not including the cost ol the lease itself, is $5000 an acre. Since several months must intervene before the flood begins to act on the oil wells, and a year or more is required to bring thc wells to maximum daily production, it is evident that a considerable interval occurs before maximum returns are realized. Once a flood is developed and the wells

Jan 1, 1944

By C. A. Hartnagel

The year 1944 marks the eightieth anniversary of the discovery of petroleum by drilling in New York State. It was in 1864 that a half dozen shallow wells were drilled at Limestone in Cattaraugus County, in a region that now forms the northern extension of the 82,000-acre Bradford pool. These early wells found oil, but not in paying quantities. They did, however, attract attention to the district and were a factor in the development of the still active Bradford pool of Pennsylvania and New York. During 1943, the production of petroleum in New York amounted to 5,029,000 bbl. This represents a decrease over the previous year, in which 5,421,000 bbl. was produced. The flush production for the New York fields occurred in the early eighties shortly after the discovery of oil in the Richburg pool of Allegany County. During the flush period, production was in excess of five million barrels annually. By 1887, however, the output had decreased to an amount only slightly more than two million barrels, and through the early years of the present century the annual total was often less than one million barrels. Flooding of the oil sands for increasing productioil was made legal in 1919, and in 1927 the output once more reached the two million mark. Two years later it had increased to over three million barrels. In Table r is shown production since 1935, in which year for the first time the output under flooding methods was in excess of four million barrels. From this table, it is evident that oil production in New 'I'ork is rather well stabilized, and since most of the oil is obtained by the flooding, or water-drive, method, with little or no prospect of discovery of new oil territory, rapid changes in yield from year to year are not to be expected. In thickness, the oil sands have a maximum of about 50 ft., and by means oi flooding may produce 10 to 12 thousand barrels an acre and proportional amounts for thinner sands. In some cases, floods have been developed in sands only 12 ft. thick. Under good flooding conditions a yield of 2000 bbl. an acre is about the lower limit at which oil can bc produced at the present price of $3.00 a barrel. The average cost for the physical development ol a lease, not including the cost ol the lease itself, is $5000 an acre. Since several months must intervene before the flood begins to act on the oil wells, and a year or more is required to bring thc wells to maximum daily production, it is evident that a considerable interval occurs before maximum returns are realized. Once a flood is developed and the wells

Jan 1, 1944

By H. W. Immolz

The Palo Pinto limestone pools of Jones and Shackelford Counties were defined and almost fully developed during the year. A new Palo Pinto limestone pool was apparently discovered when the K. B. Nowels NO. 1 Pardue, S.F.I. and W. survey, south central Haskell County, was completed for a small well in Palo Pinto limestonc at 3395 to 3421 feet. In Haskell County, Amerada Petroleum Corporation's C. J. Kleiner, J. M. Cass survey, drilled to the Ellenburger with a total depth of 5607 ft., where it was abandoned. A Bluff Creek sand field of undetermined size was discovered by the Fain-McGaha No. 1 Dawson-Conway, P. G. Holcomb survey, which was chompleted for 37 bbl. at 1496 feet. The Cook field was extended by the Roeser-Pendleton B-113 Cook in sec. 113, E.T.R.R. Co. survey, the well being completed for 510 bbl. from Cook sand encountered at 1545 to 1568 feet. Several shallow pools of minor importancc mere also discovered in Shackelford County during the year. In Jones County the Lewis and the Steffens fields, in block 15, T. and P.R.R. Co. survey, were further developed during the year but the limits of the Steffens field were not definitely defined. The most, important discovery in Jones County was the Guitar field, where most of the wells that had been producing from the Cook sand were deepened to the Hope limestone, a new producing horizon. In Taylor County, the Bowles field, see. 28, B.A.L. survey, was defined arid proved to he of minor importance. The Goldsboro and Novice area, ill northwest Coleman County, continued to hold considerable interest because of the developments near the town of Novice, where new Ieases continued to be opened for production. Nolan County was placed in the ranks of the producing counties when the S. B. Owens No. 1 Tipton, sec. 43, block 19, T. and P.R.R. Co. survey,

Jan 1, 1940

By H. W. Immolz

The Palo Pinto limestone pools of Jones and Shackelford Counties were defined and almost fully developed during the year. A new Palo Pinto limestone pool was apparently discovered when the K. B. Nowels NO. 1 Pardue, S.F.I. and W. survey, south central Haskell County, was completed for a small well in Palo Pinto limestonc at 3395 to 3421 feet. In Haskell County, Amerada Petroleum Corporation's C. J. Kleiner, J. M. Cass survey, drilled to the Ellenburger with a total depth of 5607 ft., where it was abandoned. A Bluff Creek sand field of undetermined size was discovered by the Fain-McGaha No. 1 Dawson-Conway, P. G. Holcomb survey, which was chompleted for 37 bbl. at 1496 feet. The Cook field was extended by the Roeser-Pendleton B-113 Cook in sec. 113, E.T.R.R. Co. survey, the well being completed for 510 bbl. from Cook sand encountered at 1545 to 1568 feet. Several shallow pools of minor importancc mere also discovered in Shackelford County during the year. In Jones County the Lewis and the Steffens fields, in block 15, T. and P.R.R. Co. survey, were further developed during the year but the limits of the Steffens field were not definitely defined. The most, important discovery in Jones County was the Guitar field, where most of the wells that had been producing from the Cook sand were deepened to the Hope limestone, a new producing horizon. In Taylor County, the Bowles field, see. 28, B.A.L. survey, was defined arid proved to he of minor importance. The Goldsboro and Novice area, ill northwest Coleman County, continued to hold considerable interest because of the developments near the town of Novice, where new Ieases continued to be opened for production. Nolan County was placed in the ranks of the producing counties when the S. B. Owens No. 1 Tipton, sec. 43, block 19, T. and P.R.R. Co. survey,

Jan 1, 1940

By H. K. Shearer

Oil production in north Louisianat in 1939 was 25,249,640 bbl., a decrease of 11.2 per cent from 1938. The only important increases in production were in the Cotton Valley and Shreveport fields, but Caddo, Homer, Sligo and Zwolle also made slight gains. Greatest decreases were in the Lisbon and Rodessa fields. Xatural gas production of 313,333 million cu. ft. was an increase of 5.6 per cent over 1938. The increase was accounted for in the Monroe field, while all other fields showed only minor variations from the production of the previous year. Well completions in 1939, as compared with 1938, were as follows: The decline in number of completions was due entirely to lack of proved areas for drilling, and would have been greater except for a revival of interest in the old Caddo shallow field. A majority of the wells completed during the year were in various old, shallow fields, so the average depth of drilling was much less than in several preceding years, notwithstanding a few very deep tests. No new fields were discovered, the only wildcat well reported as a producer being a very small oil well in northwestern De Soto Parish, which is of no apparent commercial importance. Deep gas-distillate production in the Cotton Valley formation was opened at Lake Bistineau and Lisbon, and oil at Shongaloo, but all these wells were too small to encourage additional drilling. Extensions and Developments Caddo Field.—More active drilling was donc in the 36-year old Caddo field in 1939 than in any of the newer fields, with completion of 133 oil

Jan 1, 1940