For the last three years exploratory success in the Eocene Wilcox Formation of southwestern Mississippi has averaged 6.7%, far below the success of 1951-1953 when an 11% success rate was achieved with less than a third of the wildcat wells now available for control. If we are to reverse this trend, the geologists must improve sampling and testing procedures in the field and more effectively utilize well data in the office and laboratory.

Serious errors in elevations and well locations, deviated hole problems, inadequate sampling of wildcat wells, and incomplete evaluation of oil shows have contributed to an excessive number of dry holes.

The present success rate can be improved by greater use of isopach maps to supplement structural contouring, by a better understanding of the relation of oil to regional subsidence and remigration, and by more careful evaluation of core analyses to differentiate between live oil and residual oil.

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