Petroleum Developments in Central and Southern Africa in 1968

Abstract

This review includes 43 countries, i.e., all of Africa except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, UAR, and Sudan. Total annual production for Central and Southern Africa decreased 38% to 91,159,284 bbl. The decrease was the result of curtailed production in Nigeria caused by the civil war. Gabon and Angola increased production by 38% and 30% respectively. The latter was boosted by the initiation of production in Cabinda. Production in Congo (Brazzaville) declined 18%. No other countries produced oil in 1968. Exploratory drilling decreased with 120 wells completed, down 29 from 1967. The success was 30.8%. Twenty discoveries were made in Nigeria, 10 in Angola 5 in Gabon, and 1 each in Dahomey and Cameroun. Unsuccessful exploratory wells were drilled in Equatorial guinea, Kenya, Portuguese Guinea, Senegal, Somali Republic, and South Africa. In Nigeria, Angola, and Gabon, 156 development wells were drilled with 87% success. Total wildcat and development footage decreased to 2,195,737. At year end 32 rigs were operating compared with 27 at the beginning of the year. Party-months of surface exploration work were: surface geology, 89; seismograph, 234.1; gravimeter, 20.7; magnetometer, 10.0; photogeology, 26.0; and geochemical, 5.0. A moderate decrease in exploration drilling and surface exploration is expected in 1969 but production should increase to record levels.