Michigan again registered a slight decline in drilling activity from the previous years. There were 413 completions as compared with 423 for 1957. Of the 1958 total, 261 were development wells and 152 were exploratory wells. The exploratory wells resulted in 18 discoveries and 134 dry holes. Reworking of older field wells plus the drilling of development wells resulted in 4 additional discoveries.

Total drilled footage for oil and gas tests was 1,156,923 ft. classified as exploratory 414,914 ft. and development 762,611 ft. In 1957, the footage drilled was 1,228,918 ft.

Oil produced during the year totaled 9,308,018 bbls. and gas 10,964,377 MCF. In 1957, 10,168,602 bbls. of oil and 6,639,813 MCF of gas were produced.

Two or three gravity crews were working in the state throughout the year. The surveys were conducted in the Southwestern and Southeastern districts.

A major lease play was active in southern Michigan as a result of the Albion discovery and Scipio field development in Calhoun and Hillsdale counties, respectively.