Petroleum Developments in North Africa in 1973

Abstract

One of the most significant events in petroleum exploration in North Africa during 1973 was the revival of exploration by foreign companies in Algeria by conclusion of 6 joint-venture agreements with the state company, Sonatrach. At the end of 1973, petroleum rights in the 6 countries covered by this review totaled about 1.5 million sq km, about the same level as at the end of the previous year. Seismic activity decreased by a spectacular 33% to about 370 crew-months compared to 550 in 1972. During 1973, 66 wildcats were completed compared to 90 in 1972. Five wells were reported officially completed as oil wells, 3 in Libya and 2 in Egypt, but their respective commercial significance is difficult to ascertain at this time. Extension and development drilling in North Africa was at about the same level as in 1972 with 156 wells completed and 1,200,000 ft drilled. Crude-oil production in 1973 averaged 3,639,000 b/d, a drop of 3.2% compared with 1972. The production decreases reported in the Egyptian fields (Morgan and Alamein) and a 2-month suspension of operations in the Suez Gulf at the outbreak of the October war were partly compensated by 3 new fields going on stream in Egypt during 1973 and the production from 2 fields which started initial output in Libya at the end of 1972. Only fragmentary information is available on the gas production which can be estimated at about the same level as in the previous year with an average of about 1,600 MMCFD.