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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 55 (1971)

Issue: 7. (July)

First Page: 997

Last Page: 1011

Title: Developments in Michigan in 1970

Author(s): Garland D. Ells (2)

Abstract:

In spite of the widely publicized reef discoveries in Michigan's Northern District during the latter part of 1969, overall oil and gas statistics indicated no radical changes for 1970. Exploratory well completions were slightly below the 1969 level but development well completion increased about 23%. Facility wells and other types increased over 60%. Exploratory drilling in the Northern District about doubled from the previous year. The results were extraordinary--9 new reefs and 1 new reef pool were found. Also of major importance, new reef discoveries in the southern part of the basin open up a large area for new exploration. There were 18 new discoveries during 1970.

Exploratory and development well footage, figured from final CSD printouts, amounted to 1,073,765 ft compared with 1,111,198 ft in 1969. Of the 1970 total, 614,781 ft is credited to exploratory wells and 458,984 ft to development well drilling. Geological Survey records show an additional 162,344 ft drilled in connection with gas storage and other types of service wells.

Total oil production dropped from 12,212,882 bbl to 11,693,488 bbl. Gas production increased from 36,162,173 to 39,252,013 Mcf during the year. Production from new 1970 discoveries should be reflected in next year's figures. The Albion-Scipio trend field produced 5,443,528 bbl of the oil or about 47% of the state's production. It also produced 11,434,407 Mcf of gas, or about 29% of the annual gas production.

Though no figures are available, geophysical activity probably reached an all time high during the year. Objectives were primarily Silurian reefs. Leasing activity increased considerably. From 6 to 8 million acres, including state lands, are estimated to be under oil and gas lease.

Environmental issues, mainly in the Northern District, led to a cancellation of a lease sale of state-owned mineral lands, and to a moratorium on drilling of wells on certain state lands already under lease. Leasing and drilling policies on state lands were reviewed and changed, and parts of the general drilling regulations were changed. In addition, proposals have been made in the Michigan legislature to change certain features of the state's 1939 oil and gas act. A new law, Act 127, Environmental Protection Act, became effective in October 1970. This law could have an adverse impact on oil and gas developments in the state.

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