Developments in Michigan in 1960

Abstract

Michigan registered its greatest yearly increase in drilling activity in 10 years. There were 832 completions as compared with 598 in 1959. Of the 1960 total 564 were development wells and 268 were exploratory wells. The development wells resulted in 361 oil wells, 15 gas wells, and 188 dry holes. Exploratory wells resulted in 15 discoveries and 253 dry holes. Total drilled footage for oil and gas tests including deepenings was 2,986,810 ft.; classified as exploratory 975,705 ft. and development 2,011,105 ft. In 1959 the footage drilled was 1,919,633 ft. There were 15,899, 205 bbls. of oil and 19,240,168 MCF gas produced during the year. Gravity crews numbered as high as 14 at various times during the year with two and three seismic crews also being active. The geophysical activity was concentrated around the flanks of the Michigan basin. Major oil companies, independents, and brokers carried on a very active lease play throughout the year. The major drilling activity was the development in south-central Michigan relative to the Albion-Pulaski-Scipio Trenton-Black River fracture trend. Two hundred and thirty-six wells were completed along the trend during 1960 and 7,921,989 bbls. of oil and 10,581,543 MCF of gas was produced. The Niagara reef developments in eastern Michigan also claimed a large share of the activity.