Development during 1952 followed the upward trend of the past years. A total of 1,039 exploratory tests and 4,640 development tests resulted in 110 new-field discoveries. During 1951, there were 105 new-field discoveries or 5 per cent less than in 1952. Although the figures show, statistically, that 1952 was a more successful year than 1951, the estimated barrels of new oil reserves credited to discoveries during 1951 were greater than new oil reserves credited to fields discovered during 1952.

Spraberry development, which "spotlighted" the 1951 activity, was of secondary importance during 1952. The greatest number of new-field discoveries were located on the Northwestern shelf and Central Basin platform in New Mexico, and the Central Basin platform, Midland basin, and Eastern shelf in West Texas. Runnels County reported the greatest number of Pennsylvanian discoveries.

The increase in the use of subsurface geology is evidenced by the increase in the number of geologists engaged in that type of work. The success of this method is shown by the 47 new discoveries credited to this type of work. Seismograph activity also increased and 46 new discoveries were credited to that method of exploration. The use of gravity mapping showed an 87 per cent increase in 1952 over the previous year.

Keen competition for leases, in the more closely developed areas, caused land owners to decrease the length of time for new leases from 10 to 5 years, and in some areas, oil payments and over-rides were also given. This forced some of the operators into outlying areas, such as Reeves, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Brewster, and Presidio counties. It is anticipated that this play, having been started, will continue at an accelerated pace during the succeeding years.