The significant petroleum developments occurring during the year 1939 in Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, southeastern New Mexico, and all of Texas and Louisiana excepting the Gulf Coast are presented. These developments include the economically important new discoveries and the significant failures as a result of drilling for oil. Brief discussions of wells and dry holes which made important geological data available are also included.

Important new discoveries were encountered in Mississippi, New Mexico, and West Texas. New discoveries, which at the present time do not seem to represent major oil reserves, were recorded in Arkansas, Oklahoma, north and west-central Texas, and East Texas. Northern Louisiana and the Texas Panhandle were without new discoveries or major extensions.

The year 1939 was a period of decreasing reserves in this area since production exceeded additions to reserves represented by new discoveries.