Modern exploration for oil and gas possibilities in the Williston Basin began with the drilling of the California Kamp No. 1 well during 1937-38. Some attempt to further evaluate this huge area was made in 1940, '41 and '42.

The present activity was initiated by discovery of oil in the C. Iverson well on Nesson anticline by the Amerada Petroleum Corporation in 1951. This was followed by the Shell-Richey discovery in Dawson County, Montana. At least seven new fields have been discovered to date, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that the Cedar Creek and Nesson anticlines may be the location for very large oil reserves.

Commercial oil has been found in rock of at least four different ages with several potential horizons believed present in the Mississippian, Devonian and Ordovician. While the Paleozoic rocks, to date, have proved the most fruitful, there is much yet to be learned concerning the age of portions of the thick Paleozoic section.

Cost of wildcat drilling varies from $50,000.00 to as much as $750,000.00 per well.

Estimates of the number of wildcat tests to be drilled during 1952 run as high as 250.

The discoveries to date have been located where structural closure is thought to exist, but as additional information is secured many tests will be drilled to evaluate stratigraphic variations.

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