IS OIL PRODUCTION INCREASING OR DECREASING IN ILLINOIS?
In 1940, our state had its highest yield of oil when 147,647,000 barrels were produced. Although production figures remained fairly high for some time, they have declined in the past few years. Since no new large oil discoveries have been made recently, Illinois’ total known oil reserves are decreasing yearly. In 1963, Illinois ranked eighth among the oil-producing states, with 420 oil fields consisting of 30,149 wells.