Petroleum Developments in Central and Southern Africa in 1966

Abstract

This review includes 43 countries, i.e., all of Africa except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan. Total annual production for Central and Southern Africa increased by 47.7% to 167,828,165 bbls in 1966. This increase was contributed largely by Nigeria, although Gabon also recorded a new high. Production in Congo (Brazzaville) and Angola declined by 12.4% and 0.5%, respectively. No other countries produced oil in 1966. A record number of exploratory wells--107--were completed in 1966, of which 33.7% were successful; 24 oil discoveries were made in Nigeria, 9 in Angola, and 1 in Gabon. One gas discovery also was recorded in Nigeria. Exploratory wells were completed, but without successes, in Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Senegal, Somali Republic, South Africa, and Spanish Sahara. In Angola, Gabon, Mozambique, and Nigeria, 141 development wells were completed, 82.8% being successful. A total of 2,633,650 ft (a new high) of wildcat and development footage was drilled in 1966 in Central and Southern Africa. At year end, 44 rigs (a new high) were in operation. Geological and geophysical exploration was greatest in Nigeria. Party-months of various types of exploratory work for all of Central and Southern Africa were: surface geology, 13.8; seismograph, 315.7; gravimeter, 58.9; magnetometer, 18.7; photogeology, 74.0; geochemical, 2.0; and structure drill, 2.0. These figures represent a 43.7% increase from 1965; only surface geology party-months decreased. Another modest increase in overall exploration work during 1967 is indicated by new concession activity as well as expanded drilling plans for several countries.