The total well footage drilled in the Rocky Mountain region increased slightly in 1945 as compared with 1944, but the total number of wells drilled was slightly less.

Oil production increased nearly 5 million barrels with the greatest increase in Colorado due to increased development of the Rangely field. Montana production decreased nearly 250,000 barrels during 1945. Wyoming production increased 3 million barrels, and Colorado's production increased nearly 2 million barrels. At the end of the year Colorado's daily production was nearly equal to that of Montana.

Discoveries were few, except in Wyoming, where the number of new fields found equalled those of 1944.

As detailed figures on production and development are available in the A.I.M.E. Petroleum Development and Technology and in Lahee's "Statistics of Exploratory Drilling," this paper largely treats of discoveries and makes recommendations for future prospecting.