In 1983, 481 wells were completed in New York. In existing fields, 48 oil and 385 gas wells were completed.

Exploratory drilling resulted in 5 new gas-field discoveries, 1 new oil-pool discovery, 32 extensions to existing gas fields, and 1 extension to an old, shallow oil field. All of the extensions were to Medina sandstone fields in western New York.

One small Oriskany discovery was completed in Allegany County. In Cattaraugus County, a small Medina sandstone gas discovery was drilled in the northwestern part of the county and a small Upper Devonian sandstone oil extension was completed near the state line.

In Chautauqua County, 17 extensions to known Medina gas fields were completed. A new Medina sandstone producing area was opened by a discovery in the Ellington area. One new oil pool was discovered in the Ellery area of the Akron structural trend.

Two dry Devonian black shale tests were drilled by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), one in Rushville field in Yates County and the other in Naples field in Ontario County.

Columbia Gas completed a dry wildcat northeast of Albany in the Eastern Overthrust trend. The total depth of the well was 7,764 ft, and only a few small shows of gas were encountered.

Oil production in 1983 was 867,429 bbl and gas production was 18,500 mmcf. The price for New York stripper crude was $30/bbl on January 1, 1983, and ended the year at $28/bbl.

In 1983, 38 crew-weeks of reflection seismic work were accomplished in New York.

FERC Section 107, "Tight Formation," pricing for the Medina and Queenston in 10 additional counties was approved in January 1983.

There will be continued Medina sandstone and Akron trend drilling in 1984. Akron oil production may boost the overall New York production slightly in 1984.

Gas purchasers continued extensive shut-in periods during 1983 because of the oversupply of gas. Because of this, a slight decline in drilling is expected in 1984.

Columbia Gas plans to drill a 10,500-ft wildcat in northwestern Vermont near Lake Champlain in the summer of 1984.

The installation of gas-operated cogeneration electrical generating units increased in 1983, but this trend may be halted by a court ruling which allows for lower payment for the electricity generated.