Developments in North and West-Central Texas in 1943

ABSTRACT In 1943 the north and west-central Texas area contributed 52 discoveries and 40 extensions of proved fields or successful completions in new pay zones in areas already productive. This is comparable with 38 new discoveries and 12 extensions in 1942. Included with the 1943 discoveries are 6 gas wells. In 1943, 1,483 wells were drilled in the area. Of these, approximately 400 were wildcats. This is comparable with 1,010 wells drilled, including 190 wildcats, in 1942, and indicates a 50 per cent increase in drilling activity for the year. The 1943 completions included 671 oil wells, 13 gas wells, and 799 dry holes. Approximately 50,287,000 barrels of oil were produced in north and west-central Texas in 1943, as compared with 50,245,000 barrels in 1942. Wichita County again was the leading producer with 14,575,000 barrels during 1943, as compared with 15,591,000 barrels during 1942. Probably the most important developments in the district in 1943 were: the discovery of a new deeper Strawn sand “pay” in the Walnut Bend “Winger” pool, Cooke County; the discovery of thick Bend (or Caddo) conglomerate “pay” above the Ordovician producing zone in the Hildreth pool of Montague County; the increased development and completion of dual wells in the Wimberly pool of Jones County; and the discovery of a new Caddo producing area designated as the Ellis field of northwest Jack County. Several additional Mississippian limestone discoveries during 1943 added appreciably to the reserves of the area. Some of these discoveries were under old producing fields; a few were in wildcat territory, although the Wynn discovery is the only one which may indicate production to an extent comparable with the New York City Mississippian pool, in east-central Clay County. The discovery of 33°gravity oil in a Cisco limestone in King County and 40° gravity oil in a basal Pennsylvanian conglomerate in northeast Wilbarger County on the north flank of the Electra arch enlarged the scope of possibilities in regions heretofore non-productive. The extent of the production in these areas remains speculative at this time. Of the 92 discoveries and extensions found in 1943, there were: 1 each from shallow Permian limestone and Permian sand; 13 from shallow Cisco sands, 2 from Cisco limestones; 1 from Canyon limestone, 4 from Canyon sand; 24 from Strawn sands; 26 from Bend limestone, conglomerates, and sand (including 20 from the “Caddo” and 6 from the Marble Falls); 12 from the Mississippian limestone; and 6 from the Ellenburger. The Simpson series, although prospected by several wells, yielded no discoveries in 1943. According to the available information the discovery methods responsible for the new producing areas and extensions are as follows: 4 random drilling, 5 surface geology, 43 subsurface geology, 24 seismograph, 1 geochemical, and 15 a combination of two or more methods. Seismograph and subsurface mapping continue to be the most effective methods of exploration in this district. At the end of the year, there were 12 seismograph crews, 3 gravity-meter crews, 1 magnetometer, and 3 core drills working in the area. Despite the fact that production for the area as a whole showed no decline during 1943, new reserves discovered are apparently less than one third of the oil produced during the year.