Development during 1953 showed a sharp increase over the previous year. A total of 2,624 development wells were drilled as compared with 1,480 in 1952. Exploratory drilling decreased slightly, dropping from 1,207 in 1952, to 1,011 in 1953. There were 123 new-field discoveries in 1953, compared with 107 in 1952.

The accelerated development drilling resulted in the increasing of oil production from 35,651,214 barrels in 1952 to a record of 42,860,662 barrels in 1953.

Geophysical activity decreased in 1953 and subsurface geology increased. The success of subsurface geology is shown by the fact that 80% of the new-field discoveries were credited to this exploratory method.

Jones, Shackelford, Coleman, Fisher, and Stephens counties led the district in the number of discoveries. The most important new-field discoveries were North Dora and North Blackwell fields in Nolan County, Three Aces field in Callahan County, and the Ballard field in Coleman County. The American Trading Company's Little No. 1, prolific Cambrian sand discovery in the White Flat field of Nolan County, was the most important well drilled in 1953. This well delineated a series of pre-Cambrian high areas, trending north-south along the eastern edge of Nolan County. As the production on these granite peaks is very prolific, there has been very keen competition for acreage along this trend.