Petroleum Developments in Central and Southern Africa in 1967

Abstract

This review includes 43 countries, i.e., all of Africa except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, UAR, and Sudan. Overall statistics for Central and Southern Africa were severely affected by the civil war in Nigeria, which broke out at midyear, nearly closing petroleum operations in that country. Total annual production for Central and Southern Africa decreased 12.7% to 146,535,030 bbl. The decrease was mainly the result of partial shutdown in Nigeria. Gabon recorded a 132% increase whereas production in Angola and Congo (Brazzaville) declined 14.6% and 19.4%, respectively. No other countries produced oil in 1967. Exploratory drilling reached a new high of 149 wells completed, of which 24.6% were successful. Twenty-six discoveries were made in Nigeria and important discoveries also were made in Angola, Cameroun, Gabon, and Mozambique. Unsuccessful exploratory wells were drilled in Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Somali Republic, South Africa, Spanish Guinea, and Spanish Sahara. In Angola, Gabon, and Nigeria, 122 development wells were drilled with 74.6% success. Total wildcat and development footage decreased to 2,326,413. At year end, 27 rigs were operating compared with 44 at the beginning of the year. Party-months of surface exploration work were: surface geology, 57.0; seismograph, 284.3; gravimeter, 36.5; magnetometer, 7.0; photogeology, 60.0; geochemical, 1.0, and structure drill, 39.0. Although a return to normalcy in Nigeria would greatly accelerate petroleum activity, a moderate increase is expected in 1968 if conditions remain as at the end of 1967.