During 1961, 678 wells were drilled in Colorado, representing a 3.6% decrease from 1960. The 260 new-field wildcats produced 30 discoveries (wildcat success ratio: 11.5%). Important developments in 1961 included the following: the surge of leasing and drilling activity in the Washington County part of the Denver basin during the last quarter; 3 wildcat discoveries and encouraging shows in southeastern Colorado; the first successful well in Pitkin County in the southern part of the Piceance basin; the decrease in exploratory activity in the Colorado part of the Paradox basin. Oil production in Colorado totalled 44,512,070 barrels, a 6.2% decrease from 1960.

During 1961, 998 wells were drilled in western Nebraska, a 10.2% increase over 1960. The 481 new-field wildcats resulted in 34 discoveries (wildcat success ratio: 7.7%). Important developments in 1961 included the following: the expansion of the Cambridge arch productive area outward from its concentration in Red Willow County; the spread of the search for Paleozoic oil into sparsely drilled north-central Nebraska; the first production from Permian rocks; continued success in the Nebraska part of the Denver basin. Oil production in western Nebraska was 23,789,843 barrels, a 0.6% decrease from 1960.

Geophysical activity increased in the Cambridge arch area of south-central Nebraska and decreased in the Paradox basin of southwestern Colorado.

In 1962, exploratory activity is expected to maintain its 1961 pace, with decreases in some areas compensated by increases in other areas.