The Permian basin again has fallen into the national pattern of decline in both exploration and development drilling. Exploratory wells total 450 and development wells 2,447. This year's 7.7% decline represents a decrease of 101 exploratory wells and of 140 development wells compared with 1970. Exploratory well success in West Texas was 25.2% and in eastern New Mexico 13.6%; the overall area success is 23.3%, an increase of 3.9% from 1970. Development well success was 87.8%, a decline of less than 1% from 1970. The drilled footage reflects a net decrease of 968,183 ft.

Crude oil production in West Texas and eastern New Mexico during 1971 was down 6,680,430 bbl or 1% less than 1970.

The most active exploration areas in the Permian basin were the Delaware basin and the Morrow sandstone trend in Eddy County, New Mexico. Development activities were confined largely to secondary projects and extensions of the Spraberry trend area in the Midland basin. Seismic activity increased 28.6% compared with 1970. Leasing activity showed an increase compared with previous years.