During 1945, 302 wildcat wells were drilled in Michigan, resulting in the discovery of 14 oil fields 8 gas fields, and new pay zones in 6 old fields, and in the extension of 2 oil fields and one gas field. Despite the comparatively large number of discoveries, only small oil and gas reserves were added.

In the past year, 755 drilling permits were issued, only 14 more than in 1944. Eight hundred and one wells were completed, compared with the 710 wells completed in 1944; 41 per cent of the wells drilled were productive. Average initial production was 928 barrels per well. Total footage drilled was 2,005,044, approximately 350,000 feet more than in 1944.

Oil production continued to decline for the third successive year and decreased almost 7 per cent from the 17,267,493 barrels produced in 1944. Gas production, however, continued to climb and reached a new high of 23,298,548,000 cubic feet, approximately 10 per cent more than in 1944.

Core-testing activity continued at approximately the same rate as during 1944. Two hundred and three permits were issued.