Exploration for oil and gas in southern and interior Alaska increased markedly in 1953. Eleven oil companies including three Alaskan oil companies made geologic field studies, which were largely concentrated in southern Alaska. Two United States Geological Survey parties made geologic studies in the Nelchina area and the Katalla-Yakataga area. The Alaska Oil and Gas Development Company started drilling a test well in the Nelchina area. At the end of the year the Phillips Petroleum Company and Kerr-McGee Oil Industries were building a road to a drill site in the Yakataga area. Activity in northern Alaska decreased abruptly in 1953 and was limited to four small United States Geological Survey geologic field parties. The United States Navy suspended its program of exploratio for oil and gas in Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4 and adjacent areas. This program had been in progress since 1944.