Two hundred and sixty-eight wells were drilled in Mexico in 1951, representing an increase of 20.8 per cent over 1950. One hundred and twenty-nine, or 48.1 per cent of the total number of wells were exploratory tests; of these 41 (31.7 per cent) were completed as producers. Total footage drilled in Mexico was 1,095,875 feet, an average of 4,089 feet per well.

Discoveries made during 1951 included 6 new oil or gas fields, 24 new pools, and 12 extensions. These discoveries were made through various methods including reflection-seismograph work, surface and subsurface geology, and gravity-meter and electrical-resistivity surveys.

Surface geology and geophysical exploration increased from the 1950 level of 262 to 375 party months. Further expansion is scheduled for 1952.

Crude-oil and distillate production during 1951 was 77,308,250 barrels, an increase of 4,882,096 barrels over corresponding production for 1950 and the largest amount produced in any year since 1926. Total gas production was 86,214,231,071 cubic feet.