Overall oil and gas statistics indicate little change from 1968. The most active regions of exploration and development drilling were in St. Clair and Macomb Counties, in the northern part of the Albion-Scipio trend, and in the western part of the state. Exploration in the Northern District about doubled, and resulted in 3 significant discoveries which may lead to extensive drilling in this region in the next few years.

Total drilled footage was 1,202,902 ft, which includes: exploratory, 564,089 ft; development, 547,109 ft; gas storage and other classes, 91,704 ft.

Total oil and total gas production declined from the previous year. Oil production was 12,212,882 bbl and gas production was 36,162,173 Mcf.

Geophysical and leasing activity increased in 1969, especially in the northern part of the basin.

New legislation, "the mineral well act," became effective in March 1970. This act cites several classes of mineral wells, and includes holes drilled to obtain geologic or geophysical information.