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By G. S. Hume

The largest development program in the history of Alberta was undertaken in 1941 in an effort to increase oil production. The drilling record is as follows: In Alberta there was the largest exploratory campaign for oil in the history of the Province, although drilling of wildcat wells was somewhat less than in the previous year. A great deal of geophysical work was done. This included three gravimetric and five seismic parties as well as a number of geological survey parties by the major oil companies and by the Geological Survey of Canada. Seismic work was done by one party in southern Saskatchewan. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. About 98 per cent of the total production comes from Alberta and the yield of the various fields is shown in Table 2. The greatest developments in Turner Valley have been in the north end. In 1941 about two miles of new productive area was proved by drilling, extending the field to a length of 20 miles. The wells at the

Jan 1, 1942

By G. S. Hume

The largest development program in the history of Alberta was undertaken in 1941 in an effort to increase oil production. The drilling record is as follows: In Alberta there was the largest exploratory campaign for oil in the history of the Province, although drilling of wildcat wells was somewhat less than in the previous year. A great deal of geophysical work was done. This included three gravimetric and five seismic parties as well as a number of geological survey parties by the major oil companies and by the Geological Survey of Canada. Seismic work was done by one party in southern Saskatchewan. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. About 98 per cent of the total production comes from Alberta and the yield of the various fields is shown in Table 2. The greatest developments in Turner Valley have been in the north end. In 1941 about two miles of new productive area was proved by drilling, extending the field to a length of 20 miles. The wells at the

Jan 1, 1942

By G. S. Hume

During the war years the drilling activity in Canada has been steadily increasing and still further increase is expected in 1945. The production of oil, which in the past has come largely from the Turner Valley field in Alberta, shows a decline since 1942, the peak year. New discoveries made in 1944, however, give promise of replacing the decrease from Turner Valley where the crude-oil production in 1944 was nearly 1,800,000 bbl. less than in 1942, but with an increase of 145,000 bbl. in natural gasoline, a product of great value to the war effort. A very considerable part of the decline in Alberta has been offset by new production of more than a million barrels in 1944 from the Norman Wells field, in the Mackenzie River area of the Northwest Territories. It should not be forgotten, however, that this is largely due to the Canol development, a war project, the future of which is dependent on many factors not connected with an ordinary commercial operation. The year 1944 has been the best in new discoveries in Alberta for all time. The discovery of a new deep field at Jumping-pound, 20 miles west of Calgary, with the hopc of a type of product similar to that of Turner Valley is the culmination of many years of effort to interpret the subsurface structures in relation to the complicated surface foothills faulting and folding. In this case the subsurface structure on the Paleozoic limestone was inferred from geological investigations but precisely defined by seismograph. In addition to Jumpingpound the discovery of oil of 34.5 gravity at a depth of less than 5000 ft, in the Devonian of the Plains at Princess, 125 miles east of Calgary, is of great significance since this is the first substantial production from the Devonian in Alberta, although previously some oil had been obtained at two places from the Devonian in the foothills. The effect of this discovery is already apparent in the number of wells now drilling to the Devonian in the southern Plains. In southern Alberta a new producing area has been found in a Lower Cretaceous sand at Barnwell, a few miles west of Taber. Also, at Conrad, 20 miles southeast of Taber, an important new discovery has been made at a depth of about 3000 ft. in a sand in Jurassic shales, in a strali-graphic trap on the northeast flank of the Sweetgrass arch. In northeast Central Alberta an important extension has been found in the Lloydminster area, where only a few wells have so far been drilled. A new well 3 1/2 miles south of the previous producers found a coarser sand at the productive horizon and as a result will have an increased daily yield. At Blackfoot, 9 miles west of Lloydrninster, a new producing area in the Lower Cretaceous may have been discovered at a depth of 2004 ft. At the end of 1944 the well was being tested. Forty-four unsuccessful wildcat wells were drilled in Alberta in 1944. The decline of Turner Valley, the major producing field, was anticipated at the beginning of the war and in an effort to offset this and encourage new development the Dominion Government put into force tax concessions and other measures that,

Jan 1, 1945

By O. C. Wheeler

The slackening of activity in oil development in Colombia, which was noted in 1931, continued throughout 1932. In the producing fields output was further curtailed and active operations were substantially reduced. Exploratory work was at the lowest level reached in a good many years. Applications and Contracts for New Concessions The areas covered by the four applications accepted by the government in 1931 for concessions on national lands were not finally awarded the applicants, although the indications are that these will be granted during the coming year. iln application of Sr. Luciano Restrepo for a concession of 49,232 hectares located on the north side of the Sogamoso River in the Municipality of Bolivar, Department of Santander, was accepted by the Government toward the end of the year. The Government is expected to take action toward granting or denying this concession during 1933. The Richmond Petroleum Co. (Standard Oil Co. of California subsidiary) leased from Manuel Davila P. and Eduardo Villar a private tract known as the Fierro Arriba and Fierro Abajo lands located in the municipality of Victoria, Department of Caldas, near Honda. The terms of the lease provide for a cash rental and royalty. The company is allowed 10 years in which to start exploratory work. The lease covers a period of 15 years and is subject to renewal by periods of similar duration. Richmond Petroleum Co. The Richmond Petroleum Co. finally abandoned its Repelon No. 3 at 4312 ft., owing to drilling difficulties. No new hole was made on this well during the year. This was the only active drilling project in the country outside the Tropical Oil Company's concession, and with its abandonment all wildcat activities in the country ceased. South American Gulf Oil Co. This company did no drilling on its Colombian properties during the year. As in the preceding years, small amounts of oil, of no commercial

Jan 1, 1933

By O. C. Wheeler

During 1938, Colombia witnessed greater activity in oil prospecting and development than in any previous year in its history; more wells were drilled, more potential production established, more geological and geophysical work was accomplished, and more leases and concessions were acquired. Many companies, including the Texas, Socony Vacuum, Richmond (subsidiary of the Standard Oil of California), the Shell, and Tropical, contributed to this activity. Probably the most noteworthy development was in connection with the Barco Concession, which forms part of the Maracaibo Basin in eastern Colombia, adjacent to the Venezuelan frontier. There a great deal of preparatory work was accomplished in addition to camp and other construction, 20 producing wells were drilled and work was begun on the construction of a 12-in. pipe line to transport the oil to the port of Covenas, a distance of 260 miles. It is reported {hat 58,000 bbl. daily initial production was established during the year and is awaiting an outlet through this pipe line. Leasing and exploratory operations in Colombia continued active throughout the year; applications were made for concessions covering more than 1,100,000 acres of national lands and, in addition, leases were taken up on large areas of privately owned lands. Under Colombian law

Jan 1, 1939

By O. C. Wheeler

During 1938, Colombia witnessed greater activity in oil prospecting and development than in any previous year in its history; more wells were drilled, more potential production established, more geological and geophysical work was accomplished, and more leases and concessions were acquired. Many companies, including the Texas, Socony Vacuum, Richmond (subsidiary of the Standard Oil of California), the Shell, and Tropical, contributed to this activity. Probably the most noteworthy development was in connection with the Barco Concession, which forms part of the Maracaibo Basin in eastern Colombia, adjacent to the Venezuelan frontier. There a great deal of preparatory work was accomplished in addition to camp and other construction, 20 producing wells were drilled and work was begun on the construction of a 12-in. pipe line to transport the oil to the port of Covenas, a distance of 260 miles. It is reported {hat 58,000 bbl. daily initial production was established during the year and is awaiting an outlet through this pipe line. Leasing and exploratory operations in Colombia continued active throughout the year; applications were made for concessions covering more than 1,100,000 acres of national lands and, in addition, leases were taken up on large areas of privately owned lands. Under Colombian law

Jan 1, 1939

By O. C. Wheeler

The total oil production from Colombia during 1939 amounted to 23,774,151 bbl., constituting a new high record. Of this amount the Tropical Oil Co. produced 22,374,151 bbl. from its De Mares concession and the Colombian Petroleum Co. produced 1,400,000 bbl. from its Barco concession beyond the eastern Andes. The Socony Vacuum Oil Co. produced a small amount of crude from its Las Monas wells north of the Sogamoso River in the Magdalena Valley for consumption on its own property, but this is not included in the figures given above. The South American Gulf Oil Co. provided the outstanding development in the country by the completion, late in the year, of its 12-in. pipe line from the Colombian Petroleum Company's Barco concession to the coast at Covenas. This was a notable accomplishment, achieved in the face of tremendous natural obstacles. With the completion of this line there are now two crude-oil outlets from the interior of Colombia to the coast, the other being the Andian National Corporation's line down the Magdalena Valley from Barranca Bermeja. The Barco property becomes the second major producing area in Colombia. The acquisition of prospectivc oil lands continued at about the same level as during the prcvious year. Most of the lands taken up or applied for had their subsurface rights vested in the National Government. Relatively little interest was taken in the leasing of privately owned lands. Tropical surrendered its Putana concession on the Sogamoso River after finding it to he nonproductive. The status of applications for National lands that had been accepbed or on which concession contracts had been awarded at the end of the year is shown in Table 3. In the Magdalena Valley wildcat drilling in the search of new fields was conducted to the east of Puerto Berrio by the Compania de Petroleo Shell de Colombia, Compania Coloinbiaila de Petroleos El Condor and by the Sociedad Nacional del Carare; further down the valley to the cast of Puerto Wilches, the Socony T'acuum was drilling two wildcats. No discoveries resulted from this exploratory work. On the Barco conces-

Jan 1, 1940

By O. C. Wheeler

The total oil production from Colombia during 1939 amounted to 23,774,151 bbl., constituting a new high record. Of this amount the Tropical Oil Co. produced 22,374,151 bbl. from its De Mares concession and the Colombian Petroleum Co. produced 1,400,000 bbl. from its Barco concession beyond the eastern Andes. The Socony Vacuum Oil Co. produced a small amount of crude from its Las Monas wells north of the Sogamoso River in the Magdalena Valley for consumption on its own property, but this is not included in the figures given above. The South American Gulf Oil Co. provided the outstanding development in the country by the completion, late in the year, of its 12-in. pipe line from the Colombian Petroleum Company's Barco concession to the coast at Covenas. This was a notable accomplishment, achieved in the face of tremendous natural obstacles. With the completion of this line there are now two crude-oil outlets from the interior of Colombia to the coast, the other being the Andian National Corporation's line down the Magdalena Valley from Barranca Bermeja. The Barco property becomes the second major producing area in Colombia. The acquisition of prospectivc oil lands continued at about the same level as during the prcvious year. Most of the lands taken up or applied for had their subsurface rights vested in the National Government. Relatively little interest was taken in the leasing of privately owned lands. Tropical surrendered its Putana concession on the Sogamoso River after finding it to he nonproductive. The status of applications for National lands that had been accepbed or on which concession contracts had been awarded at the end of the year is shown in Table 3. In the Magdalena Valley wildcat drilling in the search of new fields was conducted to the east of Puerto Berrio by the Compania de Petroleo Shell de Colombia, Compania Coloinbiaila de Petroleos El Condor and by the Sociedad Nacional del Carare; further down the valley to the cast of Puerto Wilches, the Socony T'acuum was drilling two wildcats. No discoveries resulted from this exploratory work. On the Barco conces-

Jan 1, 1940

By O. C. Wheeler

The reports for the years 1942 and 1943 were written in 1943 and 1944, respectively, and were summarized at the meetings of the Institute in February of those two years, but the manuscripts were held until released for publication in 1945. 1942 Lack of transportation facilities during 1942 resulted in a sharp curtailment of producing operations in Colombia at the middle of the year, and production of crude for export was thus greatly affected. Total production in 1942 amounted to only 10,617,008 bbl. Of this amount the Tropical Oil Co. produced 9,453,995 bbl., which includes 126,607 bbl. of petroleum condensate, and the Colombian Petroleum Co. produced 1,163,013 bbl, from its Barco property. The following summary, showing a comparison of the number of barrels of crude produced during the years 1941 . and 1942, reflects the extent to which producing operations were reduced during 1942: These above figures do not include any production recovered from Condor's (Shell's) Casabe wells during testing operations. An active exploratory drilling Program was carried out by several of the major companies, and the year 1942 established a record for wildcatting activity in Colombia. Excluding development operations on the Shell's Casabe wells on the Yondo concession, 13 wildcats were completed. Eight of these were in the Magdalena Valley, and all were abandoned; five were on the Barco Concession, and of these four were completed as producers. Particularly notable among the petroleum developments during 1942 was the continued success of drilling operations on the Shell's Yondo Concession of Compania Colombiana de Petroleos El Condor opposite Barranca-Bermeja. In 1941 the discovery well, Casabe No. I, was drilled and completed with an estimated initial production of approximately 480 bbl. of 19 1/2 A.P.I. gr. oil per day. In 1942, seven stepouts from the discovery well were successfully completed with initial production ratings ranging from 150 to 1230 bbl. per day. An extensive wildcat program on the Barco Concession of the Colombian Petroleum Co. yielded favorable results with the completion of four producers in the Socuavo and Tres Bocas areas; a fifth test, Sardinata Norte No. I, was abandoned at 500;" feet. Wildcatting operations in the lower Magdalena Valley area were initiated in 1942 With the drilling of a deep test, El Dote No. I, by Compania de petroleo Shell de Colombia. The well was a failure and was abandoned at a depth of 10,046 (?) feet. Wildcats on which drilling operations were being conducted at the end of the

Jan 1, 1945

By O. C. Wheeler

The principal interest in the oil situation in Colombia during the year centered around the enactment of the new petroleum law and the applications for concessions subsequently made by various interests. The year was a comparatively uneventful one from the standpoint of actual operations of drilling and development. There was a falling off both in exploratory work and in the development of producing properties; and as a result of curtailment of production, the output of oil from the country dropped to the lowest level since the completion of the looping of the Andian pipe line to the coast in 1927. Legislation Law No. 371 of 1931, with its Regulatory Decree No. 1270, was enacted during the year and marked Colombia's attempt to encourage more extensive exploration and development of the prospective oil resources of the country. Some of the outstanding provisions of the law are as follows: Tracts may be acquired by a concessionnaire directly and by transfer ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 hectares, except in certain reserved territories east of the summit of the eastern cordilleras where the maximum is increased to 200,000 ha. A security deposit of $1 per hectare, minimum $25,000, is required on government grants, and is returned to the concessionnaire only upon the fulfillment of stipulated terms of the law. Rentals, increasing progressively from 10c per hectare per year the first two years to 50c per hectare the sixth year, are required up to the start of the production period (beginning of development). The concession terminates 30 years after the beginning of the production period and can be extended for 10 years more at the option of the contractor. Wells must be produced at no less than 25 per cent of their maximum capacity. Royalties on oil from national lands vary from 2 to 11 per cent of the gross product, depending on the distance of the concession from the port of loading. Petroleum from private property is subject to a governmental tax varying from 1 to

Jan 1, 1932

By B. F. Zwick

The entire production of oil in Ecuador so far has come from the Santa Elens Peninsula, Province of Guayas. Both the shallow fields of the northern and the deeper fields of the southern part of the peninsula have been in constant exploitation, though the former are of doubtful economic value. In Table I herewith, which commences with the total amounts produced by the various companies up to 1940, annual company totals are given for the succeeding years. The figures for 1944 have been partly estimated. Table 2 gives figures on casinghead gasoline. Shell Company of Ecuador (formerly known as Anglo-Saxon) has continued active exploration in the Oriente region east of the Andes, and during 1944 the Company's first wildcat well was spudded in. International Ecuadorean Petroleum Co. (formerly International Petroleum Co., Limited) has pursued an active exploration campaign since the latter part of 1939, and a drilling string was placed in operation about a year later. A second string of tools was added during 1943 and a third a few months ago. Ten wildcats, all dry, have been completed in this period, two wells are drilling at the present time and other locations are on the program. Seven of the wells thus far drilled are in the area between Guayaquil and the Santa Elena Peninsula, one up the Daule River beyond Balzar, one on Puna Island in the Guayas Estuary and one in the northern province of Esmeraldas. Both the present drilling wells are in the Guayaquil-Santa Elena zone. The situation in regard to concessions has changed during the past four years because I.E.P.C. has made its selections from the extensive Daule-Guayas Study Concession, as a result of which large tracts were returned to the Government; because of the expropriation of the holdings of the "Ecuapetrol," a German concern whose acreage has passed into other hands; the Peruvian-Ecuadorean boundary settlement, which has reduced Shell's holdings somewhat; and the transfer of most of the holdings of the Cia. Minero-Petrolera del Pacifico to I.E.P,C. The greater part

Jan 1, 1945

By Brandon H. Grove

The rapid development of the Budafa-Puszta field during 1938 advanced Hungary a considerable distance along the road to self-sufficiency in domestic crude-oil supplies. Seven wells were completed in the field during the year, at depths averaging 4100 ft., and there have been no dry holes. Initial productions have ranged from 150 to about 400 bbl. per day. At the end of the year daily average production amounted to about 1400 bbl., which is equivalent to 33 per cent of Hungary's daily internal consumption. Production increased somewhat in the Government-controlled oil field at Bükkszek, also discovered in 1937, but nothing occurred to alter previous indications that this field would be capable of only relatively insignificant development. A further test of the Miocene-Oligorcene basin containing the Bükkszek field is being made by a well now drilling

Jan 1, 1939

By Brandon H. Grove

The rapid development of the Budafa-Puszta field during 1938 advanced Hungary a considerable distance along the road to self-sufficiency in domestic crude-oil supplies. Seven wells were completed in the field during the year, at depths averaging 4100 ft., and there have been no dry holes. Initial productions have ranged from 150 to about 400 bbl. per day. At the end of the year daily average production amounted to about 1400 bbl., which is equivalent to 33 per cent of Hungary's daily internal consumption. Production increased somewhat in the Government-controlled oil field at Bükkszek, also discovered in 1937, but nothing occurred to alter previous indications that this field would be capable of only relatively insignificant development. A further test of the Miocene-Oligorcene basin containing the Bükkszek field is being made by a well now drilling

Jan 1, 1939

By T. R. Armstrong

Total crude oil production in Mexico in the year 1941 is estimated at approxi- mately 41,000,000 bbl.; a daily average of 112,700 bbl. and a decrease of about 5 per cent as compared with the daily average of 120,000 bbl. produced in the year 1940, and nearly 11 per cent decrease as com-

Jan 1, 1942

By T. R. Armstrong

Total crude oil production in Mexico in the year 1941 is estimated at approxi- mately 41,000,000 bbl.; a daily average of 112,700 bbl. and a decrease of about 5 per cent as compared with the daily average of 120,000 bbl. produced in the year 1940, and nearly 11 per cent decrease as com-

Jan 1, 1942

By Oliver B. Hopkins

Peru produced approximately 15,838,610 bbl. of oil during 1938, which was 1,618,406 bbl. below its production during 1937. As in recent years, the entire output of the country came from the La Brea-Parinas, Lobitos-Restin, and Zorritos fields, which are all situated along the northwestern coast. Outside of the proven areas, the drilling of test wells was continued by the Peruvian Government on the reserved zone near Zorritos. Six wells have been completed or are drilling. Of these one is a gas well at 2619 ft. and one is dry at 1415 ft. It is reported that three standard and two rotary rigs are being used. In southern Peru, in the Pirin region north of Lake Titicaca, the Government made a geological study of the National Reserve. In eastern Peru, the Cia. Petrolera El Ganso Azul continued its activities in the montana region, where its first well was reported to have had a show of oil at 1000 feet. There was also renewal of leasing activity in eastern Peru, where approximately 380,000 acres of new leases were filed on near Contamana. La Brea-Parinas Estate.—Production of crude oil on this property of International Petroleum Co. Ltd. amounted to 13,137,988 bbl. which was

Jan 1, 1939

By Oliver B. Hopkins

Peru produced approximately 15,838,610 bbl. of oil during 1938, which was 1,618,406 bbl. below its production during 1937. As in recent years, the entire output of the country came from the La Brea-Parinas, Lobitos-Restin, and Zorritos fields, which are all situated along the northwestern coast. Outside of the proven areas, the drilling of test wells was continued by the Peruvian Government on the reserved zone near Zorritos. Six wells have been completed or are drilling. Of these one is a gas well at 2619 ft. and one is dry at 1415 ft. It is reported that three standard and two rotary rigs are being used. In southern Peru, in the Pirin region north of Lake Titicaca, the Government made a geological study of the National Reserve. In eastern Peru, the Cia. Petrolera El Ganso Azul continued its activities in the montana region, where its first well was reported to have had a show of oil at 1000 feet. There was also renewal of leasing activity in eastern Peru, where approximately 380,000 acres of new leases were filed on near Contamana. La Brea-Parinas Estate.—Production of crude oil on this property of International Petroleum Co. Ltd. amounted to 13,137,988 bbl. which was

Jan 1, 1939

By O. B. Hopkins

Essentially all production for Peru came from the three established fields in coastal northwestern Peru (Fig. 1). These fields are known as La Brea-Parinas, Lobitos, and Zorritos, in order of importance. Together they produced 13,496,880 bbl., as compared with 15,838,605 bbl. in 1938. Zorritos Field.—Of the total production shown on Table 1, the Zorritos field was responsible for a relatively negligible amount estimated at 40,000 bbl. This small field, which is over 50 years old, was purchased by the Peruvian Government in the spring of 1939 from the Piaggio interests. The Government operated this field along with its near-by National Reserve areas, largely under supervision of Department of Mines officials, and the total production rate for both old and newa-areas was estimated to have increased by Oct. 1 to 166 bbl. per day. as compared with the 1938 average of 110 bbl. per day. Construction is said to have begun on a refinery that is to have a capacity of 1000 bbl. per day and is to include a gasoline-extraction plant, and on a pipe line to bring fresh water 20 miles from the Tumbes River. Lobitos Fields.—The Lobitos fields, some 70 miles south of Zorritos, produced approximately 2,650,000 bbl., or almost the same amount a* in 1938. La Brea-Parinas.—The International's La Brea-Parinas property, immediately south of the Lobitos property, produced 10,806,880 bbl., or 80 per cent of Peru's production. During the year 73 wells were drilled on the Estate, mostly in the semiproved area: 44 by rotary, 13 by cable and 16 by star rigs, as compared with 34 by rotary, 11 by cable and 20 by star in 1938. The most important of the several semiexploratory wells sunk was No. 3075, which late in December was brought in at a depth of 4500 ft. with an initial production of 1500 bbl. per day, based on

Jan 1, 1940

By O. B. Hopkins

Essentially all production for Peru came from the three established fields in coastal northwestern Peru (Fig. 1). These fields are known as La Brea-Parinas, Lobitos, and Zorritos, in order of importance. Together they produced 13,496,880 bbl., as compared with 15,838,605 bbl. in 1938. Zorritos Field.—Of the total production shown on Table 1, the Zorritos field was responsible for a relatively negligible amount estimated at 40,000 bbl. This small field, which is over 50 years old, was purchased by the Peruvian Government in the spring of 1939 from the Piaggio interests. The Government operated this field along with its near-by National Reserve areas, largely under supervision of Department of Mines officials, and the total production rate for both old and newa-areas was estimated to have increased by Oct. 1 to 166 bbl. per day. as compared with the 1938 average of 110 bbl. per day. Construction is said to have begun on a refinery that is to have a capacity of 1000 bbl. per day and is to include a gasoline-extraction plant, and on a pipe line to bring fresh water 20 miles from the Tumbes River. Lobitos Fields.—The Lobitos fields, some 70 miles south of Zorritos, produced approximately 2,650,000 bbl., or almost the same amount a* in 1938. La Brea-Parinas.—The International's La Brea-Parinas property, immediately south of the Lobitos property, produced 10,806,880 bbl., or 80 per cent of Peru's production. During the year 73 wells were drilled on the Estate, mostly in the semiproved area: 44 by rotary, 13 by cable and 16 by star rigs, as compared with 34 by rotary, 11 by cable and 20 by star in 1938. The most important of the several semiexploratory wells sunk was No. 3075, which late in December was brought in at a depth of 4500 ft. with an initial production of 1500 bbl. per day, based on

Jan 1, 1940

By O. B. Hopkins

The reports for the years 1942 and 1943 were written in 1943 and 1944, respectively, and were summarized at the meetings of the Institute in February 1941 and February 1944, but were held in manuscript form until released for publication in 1945. 1942 During the year 1942, developments in the Peruvian oil industry continued to be subject to repercussions from the swelling war effort, which steadily diverted more of the normal supply of men and materials into war channels, and necessitated the rerouting of supply lines. The result in Peru was an increasing demand for crude oil and products. The production of petroleum in Peru in 1942 was 13,626,259 bbl., as compared with 11,935,584 bbl. in 1941—an increase of 1,690,675 bbl., or approximately 14 per cent. The largest increase, amounting to over 61 per cent, was from the Lobitos fields, but this increase was caused largely by the subnormal production in 1941. International Petroleum Company's production in the La Brea y Parinas field increased 727,111 bbl., or 7 per cent, whereas the Peruvian Government's production in the small Zorritos field declined 10,380 bbl., or approximately 20 per cent. The final production figures for the Ganso Azul field at Agua Caliente were not available for 1942 at the end of the year, but the production was believed to have increased approximately 80 per cent from 1941, or from 13,750 to approximately 25,000 barrels. Development and Exploration Exploration in Peru in 1942 was very limited and confined to areas adjacent to the older producing fields, and the efforts there were largely expended in the extension and development of the producing areas. This situation resulted partly from the shortage of transportation and drilling equipment, and also from the strong demand for increased production of oil. . International Petroleum Co. completed 69 wells during the year, including seven exploratory wells, three of which added moderate extensions to the proven areas. Sixty of the completions were oil wells and nine were dry holes. Lobitos Oilfields, at Lobitos and Restin, is understood to have concentrated its drilling effort on development rather than on exploration. The Peruvian Government operating at Zorritos confined its drilling to the development of the small producing areas previously found. During the year it announced plans to drill three exploratory wells in the Pirin area of southern Peru (see map on p. 638). It was reported that the Government had made a survey of the Sechura area (representing the southern part of the Northern National Reserve as shown on the map), but no work under this arrangement was announced. The Cia. Ganso Azul, at Agua Caliente, completed its No. 6 well as a producer on March 27, and during the year it completed the installation of a 400-bbl. topping plant.

Jan 1, 1945