Creole is the first oil field discovered in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Seismograph exploration work done in 1934 led to the drilling of the discovery well in March, 1938. The companies developing this field were pioneers in the drilling of slanting holes from one platform, some with angles as high as 44° from the vertical. Oil accumulation is found in three sands of the middle and lower Miocene from 5,100 to 6,600 feet in depth. Accumulation is controlled by up-to-the-south faulting which seals the producing sands against shale bodies. Geologists supervising the development of the field have worked closely with engineers in the drilling of directed holes from a single platform. Special tools for directional drilling and orienting the holes were necessary a d are described briefly. The deepest test drilled did not encounter salt; however, Creole is probably on a deeply buried salt dome.