Developments in Rocky Mountain Region in 1944

Drilling activities on the basis of all wells drilling in four oil- and gas-producing states of the Rocky Mountain region increased from 687 in 1943 to 916 in 1944, an increase of 33 per cent. The total footage drilled increased from 1,442,511 to 2,245,803 feet, or 56 per cent. The number of wildcat wells drilling increased from 163 in 1943 to 171 in 1944, the increase being in Wyoming. Oil production increased, except in Wyoming, which had a decline of 985,000 barrels, the first decline since 1938. New discoveries were limited, except in Wyoming, where the number of new fields and producing zones was exceptionally high, but did not contribute much new production, pending pipe-line connections and other facilities. Geologic and geophysical work also attained a new high. I creased field developments contributed much to changes in oil reserves.