The Louisiana Gulf Coast consists of the 38 southern parishes and the 16 continental shelf areas off-shore. Oil and gas production is obtained from sediments ranging in age from Cretaceous to Pleistocene.

The 2,236 development and exploratory wells drilled in 1962 are 2.3% more than were drilled in 1961. Of the 600 exploratory wells, 17.0% were successful. For the first time in several years the Southwest District was the most active in exploratory drilling.

Of the 43 new-field discoveries (27 onshore, 16 offshore) the most important are: Money Island, Cameron Parish; Mud Point, Vermillion Parish; Block 112 field, Main Pass Area; Block 225 field, Block 229 field, West Cameron Area; and Block 41 field, West Delta Area. The most important of the 240 new pools and extensions include Couquille Bay field, Plaquemines Parish; Eloi Bay field, St. Bernard Parish; and Lake Barre field, Terrebonne Parish.

Geophysical activity showed a slight increase for the first time in several years. Leasing continued to be very active but scattered.

In general, 1962 compared favorably with 1961 and preceding years.