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AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 49 (1965)

Issue: 8. (August)

First Page: 1257

Last Page: 1291

Title: Petroleum Developments in Central and Southern Africa in 1964

Author(s): Eugene A. Cordry (2)

Abstract:

This review includes 43 countries, i.e., all of Africa except Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan.

Total annual production for Central and Southern Africa increased by 43% to 58,795,166 bbls. in 1964. This increase was contributed largely by Nigeria although Gabon and Angola also recorded new highs. Congo (Brazzaville) had a 23% drop in production. No other countries are currently producing oil.

Fifty-four exploratory wells were completed in 1964, of which 51.9% were successful. Twenty-one oil discoveries were made in Nigeria, one in Gabon, and one in Congo (Leopoldville), the latter's first discovery. Four gas discoveries were recorded in Nigeria as well as a gas-condensate discovery in Angola. Exploratory wells were completed, but without successes, in Niger, Somali Republic, South-West Africa, and Spanish Sahara.

Eighty-one development wells (solely in Nigeria and Gabon) were completed with 88.8% success. A total of 1,265,201 ft. (a new high) of wildcat and development footage was drilled in 1964 in Central and Southern Africa. At the end of the year, 20 rigs were in operation.

Geological-geophysical exploration was greatest in Nigeria. Party-months of various types of exploratory work for all of Central and Southern Africa were as follows: surface geology 65.4; seismograph 201; gravimeter 15.4; magnetometer 7.2; photogeology 30.5; and structure drill 6.0. These figures represent a significant decline and are the lowest for any year since 1953. If Nigeria is excluded, the drop in exploratory activity in Central and Southern Africa is particularly sharp and may be attributed to (1) the generally discouraging results obtained in East and far-West Africa, and (2) the remarkably successful exploration effort in North Africa and Nigeria which has caused these latter areas to attract a major part of the industry's exploration, as well as development, efforts. New oncession activity, however, and plans for resumption of drilling in several countries suggest a possible upturn in over-all exploration work in 1965.

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