The Uinta basin of Utah is going into its 5th year of oil production. To date there is one field, Red Wash, of importance with nearly 8,000 acres proven and 24 producing wells which yield around 5,000 barrels daily. Most of the production is choked down until transportation can take care of the situation.

Nearly 100 holes have been drilled, resulting in the discovery of five oil fields, two possible oil fields, and two gas fields. The discovery rate is 7 out of 70 or one producer, or potential producer, out of 10 tests. With the 8,000 square miles in the basin, the average dry-hole density is one hole to 110 square miles. However, with the proximity of dry holes to the nearby fields, the ratio is more nearly one to 400. There are nearly 20 square miles of proved area, or one square mile proved to 400 unproved.

Nearly all the fields are due to stratigraphic traps so that the situation for new discoveries is unique in that new fields should be of the same type.

The south rim of the basin has two gas fields in the Wasatch and in the Mesaverde beds. Conditions there are similar to those in the San Juan basin. It is possible that a major gas area may be developed on the south rim of the basin.

Drilling and operating costs are high in the basin due to transportation, and to the oil carrying high proportions of wax, 20-50%, with pour points of 90°-110°.

When drilling costs are reduced and when there is a solution to the handling of the oil, the Uinta basin should be an important producer with numerous new gas and oil fields.

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