In 1967, the Arkansas, North Louisiana, and East Texas district had 604 exploratory tests compared with 602 drilled in 1966. Exploratory drilling increased 2% in Arkansas and 22% in East Texas, but declined 22% in North Louisiana. There was a 7% increase in new-field discoveries in the district. Development drilling within the district declined by 21%.

Arkansas had an outstanding success ratio in exploratory drilling, 25% of the tests having been completed as discoveries. Exploratory success ratios in Louisiana and East Texas were approximately the same as in 1966.

In Arkansas, most of the 1967 exploratory effort was in search of new pays in, or extensions to, existing fields. As last year, the major exploratory effort in East Texas was in the Jurassic trend where 6 Cotton Valley and 14 Smackover discoveries were made. Louisiana's major exploratory effort was concentrated in the Wilcox producing trend as it has been for the past several years.

Seismic exploration continued to decline throughout the district.

It is anticipated that exploratory drilling in Arkansas will remain at approximately the 1967 level with more effort concentrated in the Arkoma basin than during the past year. Exploratory effort in East Texas is anticipated to increase in the Jurassic trend in 1968, but to decline in other trends. North Louisiana's exploratory effort in the Wilcox area is expected to remain at about the 1967 level. It is anticipated that exploration for Jurassic production will increase in the northern and northeastern parishes.