Total Footage Research Articles

Developments in West Coast Area in 1955

Washington: Eight new-field wildcats abandoned; 37,792 feet drilled. Oregon: Five new-field wildcats abandoned; 27,278 feet drilled. California: Six hundred fifty-one exploratory wells with a total footage of 3,345,042 were drilled in California during 1955. This is an increase of 3 per cent in the number of wells and 13.8 per cent in total exploratory footage over 1954. Exploration was 15 per cent and 17.3 per cent successful as to wells and footage, respectively. Comparable figures for 1954 are 14.4 per cent and 17.4 per cent. Discovery record: 15 fields, 11 oil and 4 gas; 47 pools, 37 oil and 10 gas. Approximate production in 1955; crude oil 354.8 million barrels, down 0.3 per cent from 1954; natural gas liquids, 30.8 million barrels; natural gas, 513.5 billion cubic feet (includes gas from dry gas fields and residue gas from oil fields). Basement was reached in 47 unsuccessful exploratory holes. There were 71 a tive exploratory holes at the end of the year.

Exploratory Drilling in 1955

This report, the eleventh based on data gathered by the Committee on Statistics of Exploratory Drilling, is the twentieth annual summary on the subject prepared by the author. A brief history of this undertaking is presented. With many thanks to those who have assisted him, and to the Sun Oil Company and the Humble Oil and Refining Company, the author now bows out as chairman of the C.S.E.D. and leaves the task to his successor, Graham B. Moody, who has long served as vice-chairman of this committee and as chairman of the California subcommittee. During 1955, 14,937 exploratory holes were drilled in the United States. Of these 8,104 were new-field wildcats, 3,629 were new-pool tests (including new-pool wildcats, deeper-pool tests, and shallower-pool tests), and 3,204 were outposts. Among the new-field wildcats, 918 were successful; among the new-pool tests, 1,069 were successful; and among the outposts, 1,118 were successful. The total exploratory footage drilled in the United States in 1955 was 69,173,209 feet in the 14,937 holes, or 4,631 feet per hole. These figures are comparable with 59,581,038 feet drilled in 13,097 exploratory holes, with an average depth of 4,549 feet in 1954. For the eighth time, we are presenting data on Canada and Mexico. Because the summary of the data gathered annually by this committee is the most reliable analysis available of the Industry's exploratory drilling for oil and gas, and because the facts presented in this analysis demonstrate the high degree of risk in exploratory drilling and, therefore, the need and fairness of the 27½ per cent depletion allowance, the work of the committee must go on without interruption in time or omission of any district.

Oil and Gas Developments in Tennessee in 1955

Thirty-one test wells were completed in 1955, with a total exploratory footage of more than 41,000 feet. Three of these were small oil wells, and one with a good gas showing had not been thoroughly tested at the end of the year. Eight tests reached the Knox dolomite, and a 5,405-foot hole in Cumberland County was the second deepest ever drilled in Tennessee. Interest and activity at the end of the year indicate considerable exploration during 1956.

Developments in Wyoming and Idaho in 1955

There were 309 exploratory tests drilled in Wyoming in 1955 as compared with 269 in 1954. Of these, 213 were new-field wildcats, a gain of 23 over the 1954 total. The success ratio of all exploratory tests dropped from 21.9% in 1954 to 15.2% in 1955. There were 33 oil discoveries and 14 gas discoveries in the state. About one-third of these were found by new-field tests. Total footage drilled increased 5% to 1,539,684 feet, although the average depth dropped from 5,438 feet in 1954 to 4,983 feet in 1955. There were no major discoveries, but several of the discoveries will lead toward substantial development and adjacent wildcatting in 1956. Western Idaho had seven exploratory tests, one of which became a semi-commercial gas discovery which was shut in at the end of the ye r.

Developments in Michigan in 1955

Both exploratory and development drilling, in Michigan during 1955, reflected a slight decline in comparison with the figures of 1954. A total of 203 exploratory wells was completed in 1955 as compared with 253 completed in 1954. There were 13 discoveries in 1955: 11 were oil wells and 2 were gas wells. These were classified as 7 new-field wildcats, 4 shallower-pool tests, and 2 deeper-pool tests. Total footage drilled during the year was 1,536,441 feet as compared with 1,485,711 feet drilled in 1954. Oil production showed a decline in 1955 of approximately 3/4 million barrels or 2,000 barrels per day. Gas production in 1955 increased considerably over 1954. Leasing activities declined sharply in Michigan during 1955. The State of Michigan, during 1955, revised its own oil and gas lease from a 5-year term to a 10-year term. Core-drill exploration increased slightly over 1954 totals with the majority of the work being done in the Southeastern district. Exploration activities in Michigan for 1956 are expected to maintain a level comparable with 1955. A trend toward deeper drilling is expected in 1956.

Oil and Gas Developments in West Virginia in 1955

The total number of wells drilled in West Virginia in 1955 reported to February 7, 1956, was 732, a decrease of 28, or 3.7 per cent. Permits to drill or deepen totaled 813, or 22 more than in 1954, or an increase of 2.8 per cent. Abandoned during the year were 359 gas wells and 132 oil wells, or a total of 491 wells. These are all wells drilled before permits were required (May, 1929). No information about exact number of abandonments of wells drilled since May, 1929, is available as these wells are abandoned under original drilling permit number. Wells completed were: gas, 460; oil, 47; oil and gas, 51; storage, water-injection, brine, and pressure wells, 31; dry holes, 143; total, 732. Compared with 1954, gas wells decreased 11, or 2.3 per cent; oil wells decreased 10, r 1.8 per cent; oil and gas wells increased 20, or 64.5 per cent; storage and other wells decreased 46, or 59.7 per cent; dry holes increased 19, or 15.3 per cent. Depth of wells completed ranged from 445 to 13,331 feet, compared with 471 to 8,185 feet in 1954. Total footage drilled (1,926,376) decreased 157,178 feet, or 7.5 per cent under 1954 (2,083,554 feet). The average depth of wells (2,632 feet) decreased 110 feet under the 1954 average (2,742 feet), or 4 per cent. The total initial daily open flow of the gas wells was 390,242 MCF, a decrease of 3,783 MCF, or nearly one per cent from the 1954 total (394,025 MCF). The size of the gas wells ranged from 5 to 22,000 MCF, compared with 7 to 24,000 MCF in 1954. The total daily initial oil was 1,885 barrels, 55½ barrels less than in 954, or 3 per cent. The size of the oil wells ranged from 1 to 300 barrels daily, compared with ½ to 275 barrels in 1954. The number of wells drilling or unreported if completed at the end of the year was 317, 60 more than in 1954, an increase of 23.3 per cent. Letters were sent to 213 operators regarding 406 wells not reported. Replies were received from 95 operators (44%) regarding 237 wells (58%), leaving 118 operators (56%) unheard from regarding 169 wells (42%). The average size of gas wells was 840 MCF, compared with 810 MCF in 1954, an increase of 30 MCF, or 3.7 per cent. The average size of the oil wells was 24.5 barrels, compared with 26.8 barrels in 1954, a decrease of 2.3 barrels, or 8.6 per cent. Preliminary estimates of production for 1955: gas, 192,000,000 MCF, compare with 170,000,000 MCF estimated for 1954, or an increase of 12.9 per cent; oil 2,300,000 barrels, a decrease of 600,000 barrels under the 1954 estimate (2,900,000 barrels), or 20.7 per cent. The large drop in production was due to completion of water-flooding in most of the Cabin Creek field. The estimated number of producing wells at the end of 1955: gas, 14,010; oil, 12,805. The table of operations gives statistics by counties.

Petroleum Developments in Mexico in 1955

The 330 wells drilled in Mexico in the search for oil and gas in 1955 represent an increase of 12.6 per cent over the 293 wells drilled in 1954. Total footage for 1955 was 1,790,260 feet, an average of 5,425 feet per well and an all-time maximum for Mexico. One hundred and fourteen wells were exploratory tests (74 new-field wildcats). Of these, 46 (40 per cent) were completed as producers, resulting in the discovery of 15 new oil and/or gas fields, 22 new pools, and 9 extensions to previously known production. Stratigraphic drilling and gravity-meter surveys were continued in the Lower California and Yucatan peninsulas. A new oil field was found in the Veracruz embayment on gravity information but the reflection seismograph and subsurface geology continue to be the most successful methods of exploration. Crude-oil and distillate production for 1955 was 91,248,161 barrels, an increase of 6,017,954 barrels (7.1 per cent) over the 85,230,207 barrels produced during 1954. Total gas production was 191,771,106 MCF.

Developments in West Coast Area in 1954

Washington: One non-commercial new-field gas discovery; seven new-field wildcats abandoned: 21,004 feet drilled. Oregon: One new-field wildcat abandoned; 3,684 feet drilled. California: Six hundred and thirty-two exploratory wells with a total footage of 2,939,336 were drilled in California during 1954. This is an increase of 2.8 per cent in the number of wells and 4.3 per cent in total exploratory footage over 1953. Exploration was 14.4 per cent and 17.4 per cent successful as to wells and footage, respectively. This is a slight drop from comparable figures for 1953 of 15.9 per cent and 17.7 per cent. Discovery record: 10 fields, 5 oil and 5 gas; 40 pools, 37 oil and 3 gas. Approximate production in 1954; crude oil 355.8 million barrels, down 2.5 per cent from the 1953 high; natural gas liquids, 30.8 million barrels; natural gas, 468.5 billion cubic feet (includes gas from dry gas fields and residue gas from oil fields). Basement was reached in 68 unsucc ssful exploratory holes. There were 79 active exploratory holes at year end.

Developments in Michigan in 1954

In Michigan during 1954 exploratory and development drilling again registered a small decline compared with the 1953 figures. There were 253 exploratory completions this year against 283 exploratory completions in 1953. The development-well completions total of 312 was 20 completions less than the 1953 figure of 332. Of the 253 exploratory wells: 231 were dry and 22 were successful, resulting in 10 new-field discoveries, 1 new-pool discovery, 5 deeper-pool discoveries, and 6 new extensions. The major concentration of development and exploratory effort continues to be directed toward the finding and developing of new reserves in the Central Basin and the Southwestern areas of Michigan. Southeastern Michigan continues to be the scene of considerable exploratory and development effort with the Trenton and Niagara formations as the objectives. Total footage drilled in 1954 was 1,511,906 feet compared with the 1953 total drilled footage figure of 1,785,256 feet. Oil production in Michigan showed a small decline: 12,028,059 barrels were produced compared with 12,284,510 barrels produced in 1953. The average daily production for Michigan in 1954 was 32,954 barrels or about ½ per cent of the daily national total. Gas production showed a considerable decline, with 5,698,175 MCF being produced compared with 7,084,616 MCF in 1953. Core-drill work showed a slight rise, with 80 permits issued in 1954, compared with 47 permits in 1953. These figures are comparable with 556 permits issued in 1951, a peak year for core-drill activity. Geophysical work was limited to the gravity meter, no seismograph work being reported during the year. Eight different companies engaged in gravity-meter work, covering parts of Southeast, Southwestern, and Western Michigan. Subsurface geology continues to be the most successful exploration method used in Michigan. In 1954 unsuccessful new-field wildcats numbered 180; of these, 170 were located on subsurface geology, 8 on gravity meter, 1 reported to be located on seismic information, and 1 on non-technical information. The lease inventories of 14 major and independent oil companies operating in Michigan showed 1,348,937 undeveloped acres under lease on December 31, 1954, a 31.8 per cent drop compared with the 1,977,688 undeveloped acres under lease by the same 14 companies, December 31, 1953.

Oil and Gas Developments in Utah and Nevada in 1954

Exploratory tests in Utah and Nevada averaged 4,230 feet in depth, or a total footage of 393,399 feet in 1954, an increase of 12.9 per cent over the preceding year. Greatly increased drilling in Nevada was responsible for the increase in total footage. Discovery of the first commercially productive oil reservoir in the Paradox formation at Desert Creek in the Paradox basin of Utah and the first discovery of commercial quantities of oil in Nevada high-lighted 1954 activities. New Utah oil fields were also discovered at Brennan Bottoms and Jacks Canyon in the Uinta basin, and the Cisco Townsite and Crescent Junction areas in the east-central part of the state. Entrada formation gas was discovered in the West Bar X area of eastern Utah. Important extensions to the gas fields at Clear Creek and Peters Point were made in Utah in 1954. Dry exploratory tests on the Wasatch Plateau, in the Paradox and Uinta basins, in central and east-central Utah, and in Nevada furnished valuable geologic information. Exploratory methods in Utah are unchanged from previous years. Surface, seismic, or a combination of surface and seismic methods accounted for eight of the nine discoveries. In Nevada, gravity and seismic activity increased sharply over previous years. The discovery well was located by seismic methods. Stratigraphic developments during 1954 are summarized. The principal trends expected in 1955 are: greatly increased activity in eastern Nevada, increased activity in the Utah part of the Basin and Range Province, and an accelerated program in the Utah part of the Paradox basin. It is expected that exploration in the Uinta basin and Wasatch Plateau areas of the Utah will be approximately the same as in 1954.

Developments in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and Northern New Mexico in 1954

Four hundred eleven wells were drilled in northern and western New Mexico in 1954, making total footage of 1,726,922, or an average of 4,202 feet per well. This is a decrease of 62 per cent as compared with 1953 in number of wells drilled. Fifty-six of the wells drilled, with a total footage of 270,583, were wildcat wells. This is a decrease of 9 per cent in number of wildcat wells, but an increase of 699 total footage over 1953. Ten of the wildcat wells were successful in 1954, as compared with twenty-three in 1953. Eighteen per cent of the wildcats drilled were successful. Arizona drilling was limited to six wildcats, with a total footage of 27,757. Two were successful. Production of natural gas showed an increase of 49,607 MMCF. The San Juan basin produced 146,518 MMCF in 1954 as compared with 96,911 MMCF in 1953. Oil production increased from 716,424 barrels in 1953 to 1,034,784 barrels in 1954.

Exploratory Drilling in 1954

This is the tenth annual report on data gathered by the committee on statistics of exploratory drilling. During 1954, 13,097 exploratory holes were drilled in the United States. Of these 7,380 were new-field wildcats, 3,085 were new-pool tests (including new-pool wildcats, deeper-pool tests, and shallower-pool tests), and 2,632 were outposts. Among the new-field wildcats, 902 were successful; among the new-pool tests, 883 were successful; and among the outposts, 923 were successful. The total exploratory footage drilled in the United States in 1954 was 59,581,038 feet in the 13,097 holes, or 4,549 feet per hole. These figures compare with 60,702,371 feet drilled in 13,313 exploratory holes, with an average depth of 4,560 feet, in 1953. For the seventh time we are presenting data on Canada and Mexico. Because the summary of the data gathered annually by this committee is the most reliable analysis available of the Industry's exploratory drilling for oil and gas, and because the facts presented in this analysis demonstrate the high degree of risk in exploratory drilling and, therefore, the need and fairness of the 27½ per cent depletion allowance, the work of the committee should most certainly go on without interruption in time or omission of any district.

Developments in Wyoming and Idaho in 1954

There were 269 exploratory wells drilled in Wyoming in 1954 as compared with 260 in 1953. New-field wildcats numbered 190, a 30% increase over the 146 drilled in 1953. Total exploratory tests were 21.9% successful and new-field wildcats found 16 new oil fields and 5 new gas fields, making an 11% success ratio. Total footage drilled rose 15.3% to 1,462,944 feet and average depth per test well increased to 5,438 feet. Development drilling increased 32% and oil production reached an all-time high of 89,083,000 barrels. Five new-field discoveries and 6 new-pool--deeper-pool discoveries seem particularly significant. The 1954 discoveries will direct exploratory drilling to a wider part of the state's area during 1955.

Oil and Gas Developments in West Virginia in 1954

The total number of wells drilled in West Virginia in 1954 reported to February 25, 1955, was 760, an increase of 48, or 6.74 per cent. Permits to drill or deepen totaled 791, or 79 more than in 1953, or an increase of 11 per cent. Abandoned during the year were 371 gas wells and 164 oil wells, or a total of 535 wells. Wells completed were: gas, 471; oil, 57; oil and gas, 31; storage, brine, water-injection, and pressure wells, 77; dry holes, 124; total, 760. Compared with 1953, gas wells increased 20, or 4.4 per cent; oil wells increased 7, or 14 per cent; oil and gas wells increased 7, or 29 per cent; storage and other wells increased 24, or 56 per cent; dry holes decreased 20, or 13.9 per cent. Depth of wells completed ranged from 471 to 8,185 feet, compared with 345 t 8,508 feet in 1953. Total footage drilled (2,083,554 feet) increased 124,105 feet, or 6.3 per cent over 1953 (1,959,449 feet). The average depth of wells (2,742 feet) increased 4 feet. The total initial daily open flow of the gas wells was 394,025 MCF, an increase of 245 MCF. The size of the gas wells ranged from 7 to 24,000 MCF, compared with 12 to 22,247 MCF in 1953. The total daily initial oil was 1,940½ barrels, 1,342 barrels more than in 1953, or 224.4 per cent. The size of the oil wells ranged from ½ barrel to 275 barrels daily, compared with 3/4 barrel to 90 barrels in 1953. The number of wells drilling or unreported if completed at the end of the year was 257, 12 less than in 1953, a decrease of 4.46 per cent. Letters were sent to 191 operators regarding 398 wells not eported. Replies were received from 106 operators regarding 285 wells, leaving 85 operators unheard from regarding 113 wells. The average size of gas wells was 810 MCF, compared with 850 MCF in 1953, or a 4.7 per cent decrease. The average size of the oil wells was 26.8 barrels, compared with 9.2 barrels in 1953, an increase of 17.6 barrels, or 191.3 per cent. Preliminary estimates of production for 1953: gas, 170,000,000 MCF, compared with 180,000,000 MCF estimated for 1953, or a decrease of 5.55 per cent; oil, 2,900,000 barrels, a decrease of 100,000 barrels under the 1953 estimate (3,000,000 barrels), or 3 1/3 per cent. Production at this high level was largely due to water flooding. The estimated number of producing wells at the end of 1954: gas, 13,884; oil, 12,864. The table of ope ations gives statistics by counties.

Developments in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and Northern New Mexico in 1953

Six hundred and sixty-three wells were drilled in northern and western New Mexico in 1953 with a total footage of 2,744,285, making an average of 4,139 feet per well. This is an increase of 56 per cent in number of wells drilled. Sixty-two of the wells, with a total footage of 269,884, were wildcat wells. This is an increase of 8.7 per cent in number of wildcat wells and 17.8 per cent in total wildcat footage over 1952. Twenty-three wildcat wells were successful in 1953 compared with thirteen in 1951. Thirty-seven per cent of the wildcats drilled were successful. Arizona drilling was limited to six wildcats with a footage of 20,315, all failures. Production of natural gas almost doubled in 1953, for the third consecutive year. The San Juan Basin produced 96,911 MMCF in 1953 as compared with 59,741 MMCF in 1952. Oil production increased from 627,179 barrels in 1952 to 716,424 barrels in 1953.

Developments in Wyoming and Idaho in 1953

Exploratory and development drilling and geophysical activity all showed notable increases in Wyoming during 1953. Total exploratory footage drilled was 1,267,885 feet, an average of 4,876 feet for each of the 260 exploratory tests. Thirteen new oil fields and two new gas fields were discovered by 146 new-field wildcats, a success ratio of 10.3%; five of these discoveries appear to have significance. In all, 719 development wells were drilled, resulting in 634 producers for a success ratio of 87.8%. Annual production of crude oil was up 18% to a total of 82,535,844 barrels, largely due to the additional outlet provided by the recently completed Platte pipe line. Exploration activity was evenly distributed, with a notable increase in leasing and geophysical effort in south estern Wyoming.

Exploratory Drilling in 1953

This is the ninth annual report on data gathered by the committee on statistics of exploratory drilling. During 1953, 13,313 exploratory holes were drilled in the United States. Of these 6,925 were new-field wildcats, 3,358 were new-pool tests (including new-pool wildcats, deeper-pool tests, and shallower-pool tests), and 3,030 were outposts. Among the new-field wildcats, 774 were successful; among the new-pool tests, 924 were successful; and among the outposts, 982 were successful. The total exploratory footage drilled in the United States in 1953 was 60,702,371 feet in the 13,313 holes, or 4,560 feet per hole. These figures compare with 55,615,389 feet drilled in 12,425 exploratory holes, with an average depth of 4,476 feet, in 1952. For the sixth time we are presenting data on Canada and Mexico.

Developments in Michigan in 1953

In Michigan during 1953 both exploratory and development drilling registered a small decline compared with the 1952 figures. There were 283 exploratory completions this year against 293 exploratory completions in 1952. The development well completions total of 332 in 1953 was 10 less than the 342 total in 1952. Of the 283 exploratory wells drilled, 257 were dry and 26 were successful, resulting in 13 new-field discoveries, of which 9 were oil discoveries and 4 were gas discoveries. Developments since the end of the year indicate that none of the oil-field discoveries has added substantially to the Michigan oil reserves. Further drilling will prove the importance of the gas discoveries as to added gas reserves. The pool discoveries are 7 in number; 5 are classified as new- ool discoveries and 2 are deeper-pool discoveries. Of the seven pool discoveries, 5 were completed in the Richfield zone of the Detroit River formation (Devonian). There were 6 successful outpost wells for the most part making extensions to the shallow Traverse limestone fields in southwestern Michigan with no important addition of reserves indicated. A field well, not included in exploratory figures, found a new pay in the sour zone of the Detroit River formation in Clare County. Total footage drilled in 1952 was 1,785,256, which is approximately 2.3 per cent under the 1952 figure of 1,828,531 feet. Oil production in Michigan continued to decline; 12,284,510 barrels were produced in 1953 compared with 13,251,464 barrels in 1952, a decline of 7.3 per cent. Gas production likewise declined; 7,084,616 MCF were produced, compared with 8,677,737 MCF in 1952. Core-drill work hit a new low with only 47 permits compared with 223 permits issued in 1952. In line with the trend to the use of more geophysics, the gravity meter continued its popularity as the principal geophysical instrument in use. Seismograph work, though comparatively small, showed an increase. Subsurface geology continues to be the most successful exploration method used in Michigan. The major concentration of exploratory effort continues to be directed toward the finding of new reserves in the Central basin and Southwestern areas. Considerable exploratory effort continues to be concentrated in the Eastern and Southeastern areas in the search for basal Salina Niagaran production. The lease inventories of 14 major and independent oil companies operating in Michigan showed 1,977,688 undeveloped acres under lease on December 31, 1953, compared with 2,327,723 undeveloped acres under lease by the same 14 companies at the end of 1952.

Developments in Arizona, Western New Mexico, and Northern New Mexico in 1952

Four hundred and twenty-three wells were drilled in northern and western New Mexico in 1952. Fifty-seven of these, with a total footage of 229,047 feet, were wildcat wells. This is an increase of 7 per cent in number of wildcat wells and 48 per cent in total wildcat footage over 1951. Thirteen wildcat wells were successful in 1952, compared with 16 in 1951. Arizona drilling was limited to 4 wildcat wells, all failures. Production of oil and gas almost doubled in 1952 for the second consecutive year, with the San Juan basin producing 59,741,380 MCF of gas and 624,179 barrels of oil. All of the Mesaverde gas pools have been enveloped by the Blanco (Mesaverde) pool to form one continuous gas trend 50 miles long and 35 miles wide. Establishment of two new Dakota sandstone gas pools has assured additional reserves from that formation.

Developments in Wyoming and Idaho in 1952

Exploratory drilling showed a moderate increase in the number of wells drilled and the total footage drilled during 1952, but the percentage of successful tests dropped sharply compared with 1951. The 238 wells drilled with a total footage of 1,107,993 feet represented an increase of 19 per cent in wells drilled and 6.6 per cent in footage drilled over the previous record year of 1951. In 1952, 37 successful exploratory wells were completed, the discovery rate being 15.5 per cent as compared with 21 per cent in 1951. In the new-field wildcat category, 12 of the 161 (7.4 per cent) were successful. Five of the 12 new fields were on anticlines in the deeper parts of the basins. Significant discoveries included Five-Mile and Fourteen-Mile in the Big Horn Basin, Middle Mountai in Green River Basin, and Ash Creek in Powder River Basin as new fields, and new pools at Happy Springs, West Sussex, West Salt Creek, and Clareton. Significant deeper-pool Tensleep discoveries were made at Sussex, Meadow Creek, and Teapot Dome. Seismic activity in Wyoming was 55 per cent greater than in 1951, with 2,012 crew-weeks. As in 1951, 65 per cent of the seismic effort was concentrated in the Powder River and Big Horn basins in Wyoming. Production, hampered by strikes in 1952, was 69,752,000 barrels of oil, only 1.1 per cent above the 1951 production. Cumulative oil production for Wyoming passed the one billion barrel mark in 1952. Gas production totaled 88,207,000 MCF, 6.7 per cent above 1951 production. Sulphur from processing of natural gas totaled 109,990 long tons, a slight decrease from 1951. Two dry holes drilled on surface structures were completed in southeastern Idaho in 1952.