Circular 72—Petroleum developments in New Mexico during 1960

By R. A. Bieberman and M. A. Grandjean, 1966, 67 pp., 4 tables, 1 fig.

Also in this series are Circulars 48, 50, 52, and 96. Petroleum, the most important mineral industry in NM, provided almost 68% of the total value of all minerals produced in the state during 1960. The 1960 production of crude oil and distillate amounted to 107,365,148 barrels, an increase of almost 2½ million barrels over 1959. Natural gas production amounted to 821,914,616,000 ft³, an increase of almost 79 billion ft³ over 1959. NM ranks 7th in the production of crude oil and 4th in the production of natural gas in the U.S.

A total of 1,798 wells were drilled during the year, a decrease of 305 tests from the total for 1959. The total footage drilled in the state increased slightly in 1960 to 9,129,674 ft from 8,724,066 ft in 1959. Average depth per well increased from 4,148 ft in 1959 to 5,078 ft in 1960. The wells completed in New Mexico during 1960 are listed along with the location, completion date, initial production, elevation, top of pay, and producing formation for each well. The wells are listed first by county and then by section, township, and range within the county.

The petroleum industry is the most important mineral industry in New Mexico. During 1960, the value of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids produced made up almost 68% of the total value of all minerals produced in the state. The rank and percentage of total value of the various minerals produced in New Mexico were as follows: (1) crude oil, 47%, (2) natural gas, 13%, (3) potash, 12%, (4) uranium, 9.5%, (5) natural gas liquids, 7.5%, (6) copper, 6.5%, (7) sand and gravel, 1%, and (8) all others, 3%.

The first section summarizes production and drilling statistics for New Mexico during 1960. In the eight counties from which there was some oil or gas production, the status of each well has been determined on the basis of its proximity to other producing wells of established pool boundaries. Development wells are those located within one mile of a producing well of field and test rocks of the same geologic period or formation as the producing well or field. Wells spudded more than one mile from production, or which tested rocks previously nonproductive for a distance of at least one mile, are considered exploratory wells or wildcats.