Key indications are that the industry decline that began in 1982 has bottomed out in central and southern Africa. Seismic in 1984 was up more than 10% from 1983. Wildcatting and total drilling were down slightly, but production posted a 13% increase. The total number of wildcats decreased from 86 in 1983 to 83 in 1984; however, if Nigerian activity is excluded, wildcats actually increased to 71 from 62. Production is up principally because existing fields were expanded and new ones came on stream. It increased from 1.85 million BOPD in 1983 to 2.1 million BOPD in 1984. The increase in development drilling led by Cameroon and Nigeria should result in a continuation of this rise unless world conditions override.