The Louisiana Gulf Coast region consists of the 38 southern parishes of Louisiana and 21 continental-shelf areas extending out to the 6,500-ft water-depth limit.

There were 1,966 exploratory and development wells drilled in 1973, a decrease of 0.9% from the previous year. Of the exploratory wells, 21% were successful. Success for development wells was 72% for 1973.

A total of 20 significant new-field discoveries was drilled in 1973, 6 onshore, 14 offshore. The most important are Bayou Sherman, Bay Lizette, South Bayou Boeuf, South Marsh Island Block 131, Eugene Island Block 342, South Marsh Island Block 269, and West Cameron Block 643. The most significant of the new pools and extensions are Gibson, Pecan Island, Eugene Island Block 333, and Eugene Island Block 339.

Geophysical activity declined 28% onshore and increased 43% offshore. This increase in offshore activity is attributed to the revitalized federal leasing program.

Leasing activity onshore declined 15% from a year ago with the downdip Miocene trend being the most actively leased. Only 5 tracts were leased offshore compared to 178 last year.