Petroleum Production in Middle East countries in 1961 totalled 2,063,128,000 bbls., an average of 5,652,405 b/d Comparable figures for 1960 were a total production of 1,924,469,000 bbls., an average of 4,598,606 b/d.

Production in Pakistan and India rose to 6,384,000 bbls. plus some additional production by the Indian Government in the Cambay-Ankleshwar area. Total production for these countries during 1960 was 6,006,000 bbls. Daily averages were: Pakistan 7,732 b/d in 1961 (7,210 b/d in 1960) and India 9,578 b/d in 1961 (9,200 b/d in 1960).

Important discoveries were made during 1961 in the Iranian offshore area, and other discoveries were made in Turkey, India, Israel (gas), Afghanistan (gas), and in continental Iran (unassessed).

Important acreage acquisitions were made by Shell in the Kuwait offshore area, Pan American in the Hadhramaut, and by John W. Mecom in the Yemen.

A decrease in exploration activity was noted in Iraq as a result of governmental decree, in Pakistan and in Israel. Elsewhere, in general, the effort expended was much the same as in previous years.