North American Drilling Activity in 1989

Abstract

This is the 54th consecutive annual report on drilling activity for the United States. Canadian drilling data has been included with these annual reports since 1948; Mexico provided data for the period 1948-1980. For 1989, Canada showed a 34.7% decrease in total wells drilled (5804 wells) and a 34.6% decrease in the amount of footage drilled (21,908,914 ft). The 38 new-field wildcat discoveries represented a success rate of 30.9%. Of these discoveries, 19 were in Alberta, 10 were in Saskatchewan, 6 were in British Columbia, and 3 were in the Northwest Territories-Arctic Islands. New-field and new-pool wildcats accounted for 37.4% of the 1487 exploratory discoveries. In Canada, 57.8% of the 2571 exploratory wells drilled were successful. In the United States, total drilling activity during 1989 decreased 13.5% (to 31,417 wells), and footage drilled decreased 16.2% (to 26,737 mi) compared with 1988. There were 381 new-field discoveries--representing an 18.8% decrease from 1988. The ratio of new-field dry holes to producers was 6.70:1, and the success rate was 13.0%. Estimates of ultimate reserves reported as discovered in 1983-1989 in the United States are being reviewed by the Joint Task Group on Statistical Integrity.