Abstract
Drilling operations reflected the greatest increase attained in the past 5 years. In 1953 an increase of 25.5 per cent occurred over 1952, there being 1,550 exploratory and development wells completed as compared with 1,156 in 1952. There was an 18 per cent increase of exploratory wells numbering 476 in 1953 as compared with 390 drilled in 1952. The largest increase in 1953 was 29 per cent for development wells, being 1,074 drilled as compared with 766 in 1952.
Forty-one new fields were discovered by successfully completing 20 per cent of 205 new-field wildcats. The important new fields are considered to be Boutte, Hollywood, and Sullivan’s Lake. Other exploratory tests number 271, of which 136 were successful. The deepest producing well in the Louisiana Gulf Coast area was completed for production from 17,260-17,268 feet in the Shell Oil Company’s Gonsoulin-Minvielle State Unit No. 2 of the Weeks Island field, Iberia Parish. First salt was found in the Sweetlake field, Cameron Parish.
Seismograph alone or in combination with subsurface geology and the gravity meter are the principal exploratory methods. An increase in seismic activities was shown in both inland and offshore areas and another increase is expected to occur in 1954.
Majority of exploration efforts were confined to Miocene objectives, with Oligocene trend second. An increase in activities, both inland and offshore, is indicated by newly established operators in the area and high rentals offshore.
