Michigan registered a notable increase in drilling activity from the previous years. There were 598 completions as compared with 413 in 1958. Of the 1959 total, 411 were development wells and 187 were exploratory wells. The exploratory wells resulted in 17 discoveries and 170 dry holes. Reworking of older field wells and dry holes resulted in 2 additional discoveries.

Total drilled footage for oil and gas tests was 1,919,633 ft., classified as exploratory 632,909 ft. and development 1,286,724 ft. In 1958, the footage drilled was 1,156,923 ft.

Oil produced during the year totaled 10,438,604 bbls. and gas 15,626,227 MCF.

Three and 4 gravity crews were working in the state throughout the year. Also 2 seismic crews were reported for the last half of the year. Most of the geophysical work was concentrated in the Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western districts.

The major activity for the year was the development in south-central Michigan relative to the Albion-Pulaski-Scipio Trenton-Black River fracture trend. Eighty-one wells were completed along the trend during 1959 and 2,046,284 bbls. of oil were produced.