Developments in Louisiana Gulf Coast in 1972

Abstract

The Louisiana Gulf Coast region consists of the 38 southern parishes of Louisiana and 16 continental shelf areas extending out to the 600-ft water-depth limit. There were 2,060 exploratory and development wells drilled in 1972, an increase of 6% from the previous year. Of the exploratory wells, 17.5% were successful. Success for development wells was 65.5% for 1972. A total of 14 significant new field discoveries was drilled in 1972, 8 onshore, 6 offshore. The most important are: Hospital Bayou, Bayou Saveur, North Parcperdue, and Eugene Island Block 330. The most significant new pools and extensions were at Chacahoula, NW Cameron, Charenton, Bayou Des Glaise, Gibson, Orange Grove, South Melodia, and Eugene Island Block 276. Geophysical activity remained about the same as a year ago, both onshore and offshore. Leasing activity onshore declined 16% from a year ago, with the Cretaceous trend again being most active. After months of delay, offshore federal leasing was resumed in late 1972. Two federal sales were held at which the industry paid $2,250,000,000 for 181 tracts.