THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF NORTH DAKOTA 
619 
 
 Secondary-recovery projects were begun in the Madison poois at the Blue
Buttes, Hofflund, Charlson, Flaxton, Lignite, and Black Slough fields. The
North Dakota Geological Survey estimated ~ that these projects added 39.7
million barrels of oil to the State's reserves. 
 Overall drilling in the State was down 16 percent from the 183 wells drilled
in 
1966; exploratory drilling decreased 17 percent. Stark County had the highest
level of development drilling because of activity in the West Dickinson-Dickinson
area. Continental Oil Co. discovered the West Dickinson field, 3 miles west
of the Dickinson field, in late 1966; field development proved that the two
fields had a common reservoir. The Northeast Foothills field in Burke County
also was the site of considerable development drilling. 
 Of the eight discovery wells completed during the year, three were new pay
discoveries, and the rest were new fields. Based on initial production potential,
the Pan American Petroleum Corp. discovery in Williams County seemed most
significant. The well, No. 1 Hove, was completed for a daily flow gage of
756 barrels of 42° API oil from the Bakken formation (basal Mississippian)
through perforations at 9,900 to 9,914, 9,932 to 9,940, and 9,952 to 9,961
feet. Also in Williams County were two of the new pay discoveries, both in
the Tioga field—One in the Red River formation (Ordovician) and one
in the Duperow (Devonian). The Lone Tree field discovery, Ward County, appeared
to be of major importance; the well, Tom Vessels, No. 1 Doolittle, was completed
pumping 240 barrels per day from the Madison formation (Mississippian). According
to the State Geological Survey, these new discoveries added 6.6 n~illion
barrels to the oil: reserves; revisions to existing fields added 25.7 million
barrels.6 
 Twelve oil and gas lease sales of Federal and State lands resulted in the
leasing of 128,362 acres for a total bonus of $238,299. Three of the sales
school lands, totaled 57,764 acres and brought bonuses of $120,965, an average
of $2.09 per acre. Three sales of Bank of North Dakota lands covered 26,133
acres for which $43,610 was paid in bonuses. Four sales by the Fort Berthold
Indian Agency brought $69,843 in bonuses for 43,686 acres, an average of
$1.60 per acre. The Federal Bureau of Land Man- 
agement held two sales involving a total of 779 acres for which a total bonus
of $3,881 was paid, an average of $4.99 per acre. The highest bonus hid was
$30 per acre for Bank of North Dakota land in an April sale. 
 
NONMETALS 
 
 Notwithstanding the dramatic increase in the value of stone produced, total
value of nonmetal production decreased 5 percent from 1966. 
 
 Clays.—Clay production decreased from that in 1966. Its predominant
use was for lightweight aggregate. A lesser amount was used for brick. A
small quantity of bentonite, less than 0.1 percent, was produced for manufacturing
mortar. 
 
 Lime.—The value and quantity of lime production decreased 11 percent.
American Crystal Sugar Co. continued as sole producer for use in its sugar
factory at Drayton. 
 
 Salt.—Production of salt by solution mining increased 14 percent in
value and 12 percent in quantity. Seventy-five percent of the production
was consumed within the State. Consumption by the cattle industry continued
to he the major market. Other uses included food processing, oil refining,
railroad-car refrigeration, water softening, and ice removal from roads.

 
 Sand and Gravel.—Although the quantity and value of sand and gravel
production decreased, 13 and 14 percent respectively, it comprised more than
9 percent of the total value of mineral production. 
 Of the 570.8 miles designated Interstate and Defense Highway System in North
Dakota, 392.2 miles were open to traffic. Work on 116 miles was in progress,
leaving 62.6 miles for future contracts.7 
 Government crews and contractors produced 53 percent of the State output
and 50 percent of the total value. Production came from 378 operators—35
Government-crew, 169 Government-contractor, and 174 commercial operations—52
less than in 1966. The average value of all 
 
 5 Page 2 of work cited in footnote 4. 
 
 6 Page 2 of work cited in footnote 4. 
 
 Federal Highway Administration. Quarterly Report on the Federal-Aid Highway
Program, Dec. 31, 1967. Press Release FHWA—11S, Feb. 14, 1968.