Production of crude oil in Oklahoma totalled 139,227,502 barrels in 1945, an increase of 15 million barrels, or 12.1 per cent, the largest increase in barrels of any state. Reserves, however, declined from 970,262,000 barrels to 889,839,000 barrels, a decrease of 80,423,000 barrels or 8.3 per cent.

There were 2,351 wells drilled during 1945, an increase of 461 or 24.4 per cent. Exploratory wells increased from 345 to 418, or 21.2 per cent, while the number of successful exploratory wells increased from 99 to 118, an increase of 20.2 per cent. These exploratory successes include 51 new oil fields, 22 new gas fields, 33 extensions to old fields, and 12 new producing formations.

In spite of the increase in drilling, few fields of outstanding importance were discovered. Probably the most closely watched area of the year has been in Ts. 6 to 8 N., Rs. 3 W., McClain County, where the Carter Oil Company has drilled a dozen deep holes seeking Ordovician production on the west flank of the granite ridge. In Sec. 22, T. 5 N., R. 4 W., also in McClain County, an Ordovician pool of possible importance was discovered by the Cities Service Oil Company.

Geophysical activity increased both in amount and kinds, with seismograph and gravimeter registering large increases in use, and magnetometer and torsion balance being used again. A radioactivity survey was reported for the first time.