Oil production in Indiana totaled 12,054,000 bbls. during 1960; this figure represents an increase of 4.1% over the 1959 production of 11,554,000 bbls. During 1960, there were 1,072 wells drilled, an increase of 18.0% over the 910 wells drilled in 1959. Of this total, 394 were wildcat wells and 678 were field-development wells.

Thirty-four of the wildcat wells were successful: 15 were new pools, 17 extensions to pools, and 2 new pay zones in productive areas. Twenty-six of these wells were completed in rocks of the Mississippian system, 4 in the Pennsylvanian, 1 in the Devonian, and 3 in the Ordovician.

Most of the wells drilled during the year were in the southwestern counties of the state and were drilled to test reservoirs in rocks of the Chester series. Approximately 44% of the exploratory effort of 1960 took place in Spencer County alone.

Interest in the possibility of deeper production was evidenced by the drilling of several sub-Trenton tests in the state during the year.