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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 28 (1944)

Issue: 12. (December)

First Page: 1781

Last Page: 1781

Title: Exploratory Activity and Oil and Gas Discoveries in California for First Nine Months of 1944: ABSTRACT

Author(s): Albert Gregersen

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

The number of wildcat discoveries in this period are very impressive. The amount of oil discovered is depressive. Gas discoveries have been of major importance. Results are compared with 1943. Twenty-four new oil fields and six new gas fields have been discovered. Most important oil fields are Jacalitos Northwest, and Sheep Springs. Commercial oil discoveries are discussed. All six gas discoveries are commercial. These are described.

Thirty-one new pool discoveries and extensions have added at least six to eight times as much to our reserves of oil as the wildcat discoveries. By far the most important new pool discovery is the "27-B" sand in the Buena Vista field, Kern County, where as much as 40 million barrels of reserves may have been proved by drilling to date. Another important deeper zone discovery, the lower Grubb of Pliocene age, was made in the San Miguelito field, Ventura County. A deeper zone discovery in the Rio Vista gas field, the Perry Anderson sand in the Eocene, is of major importance.

Exploratory drilling is up 30 per cent over 1943. Depth of exploratory holes has increased. Geological exploration, surface and subsurface, was responsible for 19 out of 30 wildcat discoveries. Seismograph mapping accounted for eight discoveries.

Success percentage of exploratory holes and footage drilled was up about 5 per cent over 1943. There was a decrease from last year in the success percentage of wildcats drilled on subsurface geology and seismograph surveys.

Nineteen forty-four will be a record year for exploratory drilling activity. The average reserves per oil field discovery will be an all-time low. A world's record for deep drilling has been established.

Results of wildcatting suggest that we are fishing in streams largely fished out. New preserves, such as the State tidelands, may be opened by law. Others, such as Tertiary Marine Basin of the Pacific Northwest, may be opened by adventurous Izaak Waltons. Persistent and expert fishermen will continue to catch a few "big ones" for some time to come.

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Copyright 1997 American Association of Petroleum Geologists