Circular 96—Petroleum developments in New Mexico during 1961

By R. A. Bieberman, 1968, 68 pp., 4 tables, 1 figure.

Also in this series are Circulars 48, 50, 52, and 72. The 1961 production of crude oil and distillate amounted to 112,553,401 barrels, an increase of more than 5 million barrels over 1960. Natural gas production amounted to 786,594,983,000 ft³, a decrease of more than 35 billion ft³ over 1960. New Mexico ranks 6th in the production of crude oil and 4th in the production of natural gas in the U.S.

A total of 1,912 wells were drilled during the year, an increase of 114 tests over the total for 1960. The total footage drilled in the state increased from 9,129,674 ft in 1960 to 9,490,529 ft in 1961. Average depth per well dropped from 5,078 ft in 1960 to 4,964 ft in 1961. The wells completed in New Mexico during 1961 are listed with the location, completion date, initial production, elevation, top of pay, and producing formation for each well.
The petroleum industry is the most important mineral industry in New Mexico. During 1961, the value of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids produced made up almost 65½% 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) potash, 14%, (3) natural gas, 12½%, (4) uranium, 9%, (5) copper, 7%, (6) natural gas liquids, 6%, (7) sand and gravel, 1½%, and (8) all others, 3%.

The first section summarizes production and drilling statistics for New Mexico during 1961. 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 or established pool boundaries. Development wells are those located within one mile of a producing well or field. Wells spudded more than one mile from the production, or which tested rocks previously nonproductive for a distance of at least one mile, are considered exploratory wells.
The second section lists the wells completed in New Mexico during 1961 and 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.