Developments in Louisiana Gulf Coast in 1947¹

In 1947, 646 wells of all classifications were drilled in the Louisiana Gulf Coast. Of this number, 166, or 25.7 per cent, were classified as exploratory wells and 480, or 74.3 per cent, as field-development wells.

Of the 166 exploratory wells, 59, or 35.5 per cent, were successful. Their classification follows.

Among the 480 development wells, 395, or 82.3 per cent, were successful and 85 were failures.

There was a 10 per cent increase in drilling in 1947, with 646 wells drilled, as compared with 586 in 1946. These figures include only new holes drilled and do not include work-overs that were completed in shallower sands.

The 13 new-field discoveries include 7 oil fields, 2 gas-distillate fields and 4 gas fields. Only 2 of these fields, Holmwood, a faulted structure and Ship Shoal-Block 32, a new offshore salt dome, are considered at this stage of development to be of significance.

Ten of the new-field discoveries were credited to seismic surveys and 3 to seismic and subsurface.

Several dry holes added knowledge of stratigraphy. Two of these failed in attempts to extend regionally westward, the producing Massive Tuscaloosa sand of the Big Island field. One shallow dry hole located a piercement-type salt dome in the Gulf of Mexico.

Seismograph operations continued at a steady pace throughout the year with an approximate total of 3,400 crew weeks reported. Most of these operations was along the coastal and offshore Miocene trend.

Leasing continued at a high level. Approximately 3,000,000 acres were taken, the majority of which was along the coastal and offshore Miocene trend.

Drilling continued at a stepped-up pace with most of it confined to intermediate and deep Miocene horizons.

The trend of exploration was definitely along the Miocene belt which has offered, and still offers, unlimited prospective sands and promise of greatest returns.