Drilling operations in the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi increased slightly during 1972, as 642 wells were drilled, compared with 637 in 1971. There was a notable increase in the Jurassic trend activity in both exploratory and development drilling. In the Upper Cretaceous trend drilling activity declined because of less development drilling at Baxterville and Heidelberg fields. Drilling in the other trends remained very near the 1971 level. Of the total completions, 387 were exploratory tests which resulted in 40 discoveries. Development drilling included 255 completions netting 140 oil wells and 13 gas wells.

Deep drilling in the Jurassic trend of Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida continues to highlight the drilling activity with 41% of the total wells drilled. Jay field dominated the development drilling with 57 completions. At year end production from this field was nearing 2 million bbl of oil per month, which was more than half of the total Jurassic production in the 3-state area. Significant exploratory successes in this trend were Big Escambia Creek field in Escambia County, Alabama; Blackjack Creek field in Santa Rosa County, Florida; and Lake Como field in Jasper County, Mississippi.

Drilling in the Black Warrior basin increased from 41 wells in 1971 to 48 wells in 1972 and recorded 8 exploratory successes. The most significant of these is the Corinne field discovery in Monroe County, Mississippi.

Geophysical activity shows a decrease from the previous year in Alabama and Florida and an increase in Mississippi.

Exploration is expected to continue at an active pace in the southeastern states in 1973 with the greatest emphasis again in the Jurassic trend. Also, a continued increase in activity is expected in the Black Warrior basin.