Developments in East-Central States in 1969

Abstract

Interest in the Lower Ordovician and Cambrian strata continued in the east-central states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee). Twelve successful Knox wells were completed in Adair County, Kentucky, and several pre-Knox tests were drilled in the state. One company leased almost a million acres in eastern Kentucky in 1969 for drilling rights to pre-Silurian strata. Many basement tests are expected in Kentucky in 1970, especially in the eastern part of the state. A deep test in Morgan County, Tennessee, was abandoned at 8,025 ft, but further information on this test has not been released. At year-end, a proposed basement test was being drilled on the Sequatchie anticline in Sequatchie County, Tennessee. There was no significant exploration of deeper strata in Illino s and Indiana, although thousands of cubic miles of essentially unexplored Lower Ordovician and Cambrian rocks await exploration. Moderately significant discoveries in the Mississippian in all 4 east-central states should provide some stimulus for exploration of the shallower strata in 1970. Oil production in the 4 states was 71.5 million bbl, down 9.7% from 1968. Gas production, nearly all from Kentucky, was 88.8 Bcf, down only slightly from 1968. The total number of wells drilled for oil and gas was 2,231, a decrease of 17.4% from 1968. Successful exploratory tests did not significantly increase reserves.