In this review of exploratory drilling in 1944 we have used the standardized classification which was fully explained in last year's review, printed in this Bulletin in June, 1944. Further diagrammatic explanations are given this year.

In 1944, 4796 exploratory holes were drilled as contrasted with 3843 in 1943. The total exploratory footage in 1944 was 20,225,887 feet as against 15,122,364 feet in 1943. The average depth of hole increased from 3935 feet in 1943 to 4217 feet in 1944, for the United States as a whole, and from 4968 feet to 5317 feet in the southern-states area. Again we have compiled figures on the relations of exploratory drilling to estimated proved reserves in the eleven states of Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. We wish especially to caution readers and those who use or quote the figures herein presented to be careful to note whether these figures refer to the entire United States, or to the southern-states area (s utheastern New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida), or to the eleven-states area.

During 1944 the great increase in the exploratory effort apparently bore fruit in an upward trend in estimated proved reserves, not only for the eleven-states area, but also for the entire country. We want to stress this point, however, that this temporary upward trend should not lead to a reduction in the search for new fields.