Austin Chalk production began in the Giddings Field in 1960 with the City of Giddings #1 well in Lee County. A drilling phase of about 4,400 vertical wells ensued through to December 2005, where the chalk has produced 772 million barrels of oil and 4.8 trillion cubic feet of gas. The Giddings Field dominates the region, accounting for 65% of the oil and 75% of total production from the Austin Chalk trend.  In 1988 new life was given to the Giddings Field with the advent of horizontal drilling technology. This led to some extremely prolific horizontal wells, commonly in areas already densely drilled by vertical wells.  Production occurs from 6,000 feet to 15,000 feet.  The Austin Chalk, Buda Lime and Georgetown Formations are gently dipping, fractured carbonate reservoirs with near-vertical fractures. This makes them ideal for low risk development by horizontal drilling. (Please read the accompanying articles)