Petroleum industry in Illinois, 1977

This report summarizes oil and gas developments and waterflood operations in the Illinois petroleum industry during 1977. Illinois produced 25,608,113 bbl of crude oil in 1977 (2.5% less than 1976), valued in excess of $300 million. There were 1036 new holes drilled to test for oil and gas, (down 17.6% from 1976), resulting in 585 oil wells, 20 gas wells, and 431 dry holes. Fifty-nine former dry holes were reworked, or deepened, and recompleted as producers (57 oil, 2 gas), and 20 former producers were reentered and recompleted as producers in new pay zones (19 oil, one gas). Total footage drilled in 1977 oil and gas exploration and development, including service wells and structure tests, was 3,114,443 (5.6% less than 1976). In 1977, 167 service wells were reported, 51% less than 1976; 68 were newly drilled wells, and 99 were old wells. Three oil fields, one gas field, 18 field extensions, and 29 new pay zones in existing fields were discovered in 1977. Five new waterflood projects are reported, and 82 older projects have been added to the report. Secondary recovery production was estimated at 15,221,220 bbl of crude oil.