There are five exploration basins in Oregon and Washington, two west and three east of the Cascade Mountains. Exploration has been cyclic; much of the exploration during the high period of the last cycle (1955-1957) was concentrated in the eastern basins.

During 1961, exploration emphasis swung to the offshore parts of the western basins where five companies conducted marine geophysical operations in Washington and Oregon, and a sixth in Canadian waters adjacent to Washington; in addition, offshore aeromagnetic surveys were conducted.

Onshore exploration consisted of seismic operations on Whidbey Island in Washington, and a gravity survey in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. Eleven dry, new-field wildcats totalling 45,000 feet, all located in the Western Columbia Basin of Washington, were drilled during 1961.

During 1961, legislation was passed in Oregon which provides for the leasing of offshore State lands.

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