Development drilling in the three state area increased over the previous year, mainly in eastern Colorado. Exploratory drilling with a total of 298 tests was nearly double that of 1950, but only 46 were successful, showing a decrease in the success ratio. Cretaceous sands accounted for most of the new discoveries, with Eocene zones most important in Utah. Production in additional zones was established in several fields in the Denver-Cheyenne Basin. The Eocene Wasatch and Cretaceous Mesaverde produced for the first time in Utah and western Colorado.

Interest in the Pennsylvanian prospects in the Denver-Cheyenne Basin increased and several failures tested the section with a few showings reported.

Seismic work showed a marked increase especially in eastern Colorado. Gravity methods showed a decrease. Seismic work was the basis for locating the great majority of the exploratory tests and discoveries, but surface data were important in western Colorado and Utah.

The importance of favorable sand development became increasingly evident in the Denver-Cheyenne Basin and in Utah.

Leasing continued active with important plays in central Nebraska, southeast Colorado, the Piceance Creek Basin of Colorado, and the Basin-and-Range Province of Utah.