Approximately 89 new fields (and pools) were discovered in Kansas during the year 1949, most of which were named as new discoveries by the nomenclature committee of the Kansas Geological Society. The total of 89 discoveries includes 85 oil discoveries and 4 gas discoveries. In addition there were 5 discoveries of deeper production in previously existent pools, including one gas and four oil discoveries. Of the total discoveries, 56 were of the new-pool classification, 25 were new fields, and 8 were outpost discoveries. In addition, there were 48 near-wildcat discoveries which did not merit a new-pool name.

Barton County was significantly high in almost every category of endeavor, for example, total production, number of wells drilled, number of wildcats and successful wildcats, and over-all success percentage.

There were no important developments in Iowa, a few unsuccessful tests in Missouri, and three new discoveries in Nebraska.

Kansas produced a total of 102,873,779 barrels of oil and casinghead gasoline, and 263,225,963 MCF of gas during 1949. The 1949 dry-hole percentage of 37.15 per cent deviates little from the 1948 figures of 37.3 per cent (for all wells).