Oil and Gas Developments in East-Central States in 1988

Abstract

In the east-central states (Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee) during 1988, the oil and gas industry continued to respond to an uncertain economic future. All reported indicators (permits, completions, oil production) were notably lower in 1988 than in 1987. In Illinois, the Geological Survey processed reports on 1,179 oil and gas tests, 89 service wells, and 4 structure tests. Oil and gas tests included 216 exploratory wells and 963 development wells. Exploratory wells were 7.4% successful; development wells had a success rate of 67.3%. Total footage reported drilled was 2,486,775 ft. One new oil field and 4 new pools in existing fields were reported in 1988, as were 48 wells with initial production of 100 BOPD or more. The highest initial production reported in 1988 was 960 BOPD from a well in White County. Crude oil production was 22,476,000 bbl, down 6.7% from 1987. Commercial natural gas production is estimated at 1,347 bcf. In Indiana, oil production totaled 3,572,609 bbl, down 8.4% from 1987. Drilling declined slightly with 314 completions reported in 1988. Development wells were 64% successful, and exploratory wells had an 18% success rate. Three new fields were discovered. In 1988, 167 wells were plugged, leaving Indiana with an estimated 7,543 wells producing oil. Drilling activity in Kentucky declined in 1988 with 1,329 wells reported completed with an overall success rate of 63%. The number of drilling permits declined to 1,658 from 1,838 in 1987. In addition, 1,105 permits were allowed to expire in 1988. Oil production declined a projected 16% to 3,214,560 bbl. Total gas production in 1988 was 73.6 bcf, a 5% increase from 1987. In 1988, 329 exploratory wells were drilled, resulting in the discovery of 26 new fields and pools, 13 deeper pools, 9 shallower pools, and 79 extensions of existing pools. Total footage drilled was 2,085,356 ft, with an average well depth of 1,569 ft. Permitting was down 64% in Tennessee with a total of 93 permits issued. Well classifications rose 8% to 344 classifications with an overall reported success rate of 60%. Oil production for 1988 totaled 600,585 bbl, down 4%; gas production declined 22% to 2.1 bcf.