Oil production in the 6 North African nations of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan which are covered in this report reached a new high of 561,802,211 bbls. in 1964. This was an increase of 178.2 million bbls., approximately 33%, over 1963 figures. With a gain of more than 114 million bbls. over 1963. Libya was the major contributor to the increased flow of oil. In Algeria the gain was 14.7 million bbls and in Egypt 5.2 million bbls. In Morocco oil production decreased from 1.1 million to 0.9 million bbls. Tunisia and Sudan had not yet established commercial oil production.

Gas production increased 17.6 billion cu. ft., largely the result of a gain of 14.7 billion cu. ft. in Algeria as the export of liquified natural gas began.

Figure 1 shows the surface geology of North Africa and the distribution of the sedimentary basins.

Figure 2 is a plot of exploratory activity for the past 10 years which shows the time relationship of reconnaissance exploratory work compared with rig activity. Increased activity in Egypt resulting from new concession contracts in late 1963 and early 1964 caused a slight increase in gravity and magnetic work over 1963. All other exploratory activity continued a decline that will probably persist through 1965.

Exploratory completions, total footage drilled, and total production in North Africa are compared in Figure 3. The implication that the plotted number of wells and footage drilled were required to establish the production attained is somewhat misleading. In all probability the present rate of production could have been attained with less drilling activity but concession terms requiring periodic surrenders have prompted the maintenance of active drilling programs to evaluate acreage.

Oil production should continue to increase in Algeria, Egypt, and Libya in 1965. The Tunisian discovery at El Borma is still being evaluated and no target date for initiating production has been announced.