Approximately 157 new fields (and pools) were discovered in Kansas during the year 1952, most of which were named as new discoveries by the nomenclature committee of the Kansas Geological Society. The total of 157 discoveries includes 147 oil discoveries and 10 gas discoveries. In addition, there were 15 discoveries of deeper production in previously existent pools, including 13 oil and 2 gas discoveries; there were 58 discoveries of shallower production in previously existent pools, including 55 oil and 3 gas discoveries. Of the total discoveries 25 were of the new-field classification, 97 were new pools, and 35 were outpost discoveries. In addition, there were 78 near-wildcat discoveries which did not merit a new-pool name.

As in past years, Barton County was significantly high in many categories of endeavor, for example, total production, number of wells drilled, and number of wildcats, but was surpassed this year by Stafford County which had the highest number of successful wildcats, and by Russell County which had the highest over-all success percentage.

There were no important developments in Iowa, and a few unsuccessful tests in Missouri and Nebraska.

Kansas produced a total of 119,077,218 barrels of crude oil and natural gasoline, and 365,119,332,000 cubic feet of gas during 1952. The 1952 dry-hole percentage of 45.4 per cent is slightly higher than the 1951 figure of 43.0 per cent (for all wells).