Developments in Pennsylvania, 1963

Abstract

Exploration in Pennsylvania during 1963 resulted in the discovery of 3 new gas fields, 1 new gas pool, and 4 successful deeper pools. Several old gas pools and fields were extended by development drilling. Development drilling saw its biggest year in the Youngsville-Sugar Grove oil field of Warren County where 132 oil wells were drilled during the year. The daily production from this field reached a high of 1,700 b/d of crude oil. The greatest density of drilling for deep production was in northwestern Pennsylvania in Crawford and Erie Counties where operators continued development of the Medina (Lower Silurian) gas pools. The 8 discoveries are: the Artemas field, Bedford County; Mays pool, Clarion County; Sabula pool, Clearfield County; Fike field, Fayette County; Crichton and Hadden pools, Indiana County; Mt. Zion field, Somerset County; and the Sloan pool, Westmoreland County. There were 700 new wells drilled and 26 wells deepened during 1963. Of the 700 new wells, 672 were in proven fields, and 28 were exploratory tests (all deep wells). Of the 672 proven fields wells, 461 were drilled outside of underground gas storage and secondary-recovery projects, 205 wells in secondary-recovery projects, and 6 wells in gas storage. Of the 461 development wells outside secondary-recovery projects, 202 were gas wells, 198 oil wells, and 61 dry holes. The total footage drilled during the year was 1,727,051 ft. Exploratory tests totaled 28, drilling a total of 166,388 ft. of hole. Of the 28 exploratory tests, 8 were successful, and 20 were dry, giving a success ratio of 1 in 3.5. Oil pipeline runs totaled 5,014,000 bbls. of crude oil which is less than the total production of 5,238,000 bbls. for 1962. Proved oil reserves as of December 31, 1963, were estimated at 91,734,000 bbls. Gas produced totaled 92,340,000 Mcf as compared with 87,308,000 Mcf in 1962. Gas reserves were estimated at 1,214,498,000 Mcf at the end of the year. The total reservoir capacity for the storage of natural gas in Pennsylvania is 512,100,000 Mcf. Seismic crews logged 91 weeks during the year. This is an increase of about 10% over the seismic activity in 1962. No gravity work was done but geological field parties were very active.