In Michigan during 1953 both exploratory and development drilling registered a small decline compared with the 1952 figures. There were 283 exploratory completions this year against 293 exploratory completions in 1952. The development well completions total of 332 in 1953 was 10 less than the 342 total in 1952. Of the 283 exploratory wells drilled, 257 were dry and 26 were successful, resulting in 13 new-field discoveries, of which 9 were oil discoveries and 4 were gas discoveries. Developments since the end of the year indicate that none of the oil-field discoveries has added substantially to the Michigan oil reserves. Further drilling will prove the importance of the gas discoveries as to added gas reserves. The pool discoveries are 7 in number; 5 are classified as new- ool discoveries and 2 are deeper-pool discoveries. Of the seven pool discoveries, 5 were completed in the Richfield zone of the Detroit River formation (Devonian). There were 6 successful outpost wells for the most part making extensions to the shallow Traverse limestone fields in southwestern Michigan with no important addition of reserves indicated. A field well, not included in exploratory figures, found a new pay in the sour zone of the Detroit River formation in Clare County.

Total footage drilled in 1952 was 1,785,256, which is approximately 2.3 per cent under the 1952 figure of 1,828,531 feet.

Oil production in Michigan continued to decline; 12,284,510 barrels were produced in 1953 compared with 13,251,464 barrels in 1952, a decline of 7.3 per cent. Gas production likewise declined; 7,084,616 MCF were produced, compared with 8,677,737 MCF in 1952.

Core-drill work hit a new low with only 47 permits compared with 223 permits issued in 1952. In line with the trend to the use of more geophysics, the gravity meter continued its popularity as the principal geophysical instrument in use. Seismograph work, though comparatively small, showed an increase.

Subsurface geology continues to be the most successful exploration method used in Michigan. The major concentration of exploratory effort continues to be directed toward the finding of new reserves in the Central basin and Southwestern areas. Considerable exploratory effort continues to be concentrated in the Eastern and Southeastern areas in the search for basal Salina Niagaran production.

The lease inventories of 14 major and independent oil companies operating in Michigan showed 1,977,688 undeveloped acres under lease on December 31, 1953, compared with 2,327,723 undeveloped acres under lease by the same 14 companies at the end of 1952.