Petroleum Developments in Africa in 1950

Abstract

Petroleum production in Africa in 1950 reached a new all-time high of 16,652,000 barrels. About 98 per cent of this production was from Egypt but both of the other producing countries, French Morocco and Algeria, showed very significant increases. Drilling exploration during the year was carried out in Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, French Equatorial Africa, French Morocco, Tunisia, and Uganda. Total footage drilled during the year was by far the greatest in French Morocco (263,000 feet), followed in order by Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, and French Equatorial Africa. Exploratory drilling was 4 per cent successful. Seventeen drilling rigs were in operation at the close of the year. Geological and geophysical exploration for petroleum was in progress during 1950 in Algeria, Angola, Cameroons, Egypt, Ethiopia, French Equatorial Africa, French Morocco, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Spanish Sahara, Tunisia, and Uganda. This work in party months was approximately as follows: surface geology--160; seismograph--77; gravity--83+; telluric prospecting--38½; structure drill--16; ground magnetometer--10½; airborne magnetometer--3. Maximum geological and geophysical exploration activity was in Tunisia.