The greater Permian basin continues to be one of the more active areas of oil and gas exploration and development in the United States; 636 exploratory wells and 2,347 development wells were drilled in 1968. There was a decrease of only 14 exploratory wells compared with 1967. Exploratory well success was 25.4% and development well success was 86%. Exploration for deep gas continued at the accelerated pace initiated in recent years.

The most active and successful exploratory areas were the Delaware basin, Central Basin platform, and Northwestern shelf. The most active development trends were the Ward-Estes trend in Ward County, Texas, the Inbe-Bagley-Vada trend in Lea County, New Mexico, the Cato-Chaveroo trend in Chaves and Roosevelt Counties, New Mexico, and the Spraberry trend in West Texas.

Seismic exploration decreased 19.7% from 1967.

Leasing for oil, gas, and sulfur continued at a brisk rate.

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