Developments in West Coast Area in 1952

Abstract

Washington: Two unsuccessful new-field wildcats; 9,468 feet drilled. Oregon: No exploratory wells completed. Nevada: Three new-field wildcats abandoned; 15,028 feet drilled. California: Total exploratory drilling in 538 wells completed in 1952 was 2,482,049 feet. Comparable figures for 1951: 577 wells and 2,362,302 feet. Activity was up from 1951 by 5 per cent as to footage but down from 1951 nearly 7 per cent as to number of wells. Exploration was 15.1 and 17.0 per cent successful as to number of wells and footage, respectively. Discovery record: 12 fields, one of which gives evidence of being important, and 34 pools, several of which add substantial amounts to California's reserves. Approximate production in 1952: crude oil, 359.5 million barrels, a new record; natural-gas liquids, 29.5 million barrels, natural gas, 475.9 billion cubic feet (includes gas from dry-gas fields and residue gas from oil fields). Basement was reached by 58 unsuccessful exploratory wells. Th re were 79 active exploratory wells at the end of 1952.