Developments in upper Gulf Coast of Texas in 1979

Wells drilled in the Upper Texas Gulf Coast during 1979 totaled 1,351, a slight decline from the previous year's total of 1,540. The onshore Oligocene trend remained the most actively explored trend in 1979. A total of 406 exploratory wells was drilled resulting in 50 new-field discoveries. Onshore geophysical activity totaled 950 crew-weeks, keeping pace with the record high of 992 in 1978. The U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored geothermal/geopressure project well reached total depth and entered its 2-year testing phase. Offshore development drilling dropped 42% as did exploratory drilling which decreased 18% in 1979. In 2 state and 2 federal lease sales companies spent $327,361,042 leasing 494,953 acres.