Petroleum Developments in Central and Southern Africa in 1977

Abstract

This review presents developments on the petroleum exploration and production activity during 1977 in 45 countries of Africa. Petroleum was produced in 6 countries with a cumulative production of 930,959,959 bbl (2.5 million b/d), a 3.8% increase from the 1976 production level. Production increases were reported in Angola (41%) and Nigeria (13.5%). Cameroun recorded its first production from the Kole field in November 1977. Slight decreases occurred in Congo, Gabon, and Zaire. Total annual gas production decreased 18% to 604,200 MMcf (1,655 MMCFGD). Surface exploration work decreased 19% to 139 party-months, including 120.22 party-months of seismic, 17.40 gravity, 1.33 geology, and some magnetometer. A total of 245 wells was drilled, an increase of 14 (5.7%) from 1976. Exploratory drilling increased 39% to 114; 43 of the exploratory wells were discoveries, a success rate of 38%. New-field discoveries were reported in Cameroun, Nigeria, Angola, and Gabon. A total of 71 unsuccessful wildcats was drilled in 12 countries. Development drilling amounted to 131 wells in Nigeria, Congo, Gabon, Cameroun, Ghana, and Zaire, with a 94% compounded success rate. Total wildcat and development footage was 1,948,016 (593,757 m). At year end, 39 rigs were operating.