This review includes data from 45 African countries excluding Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, U.A.R., and Sudan.

Total annual production increased 88% from 1969 to 471,325,018 bbl for an average rate of 1,291,301 b/d. Production in Nigeria increased 101% from 1969 to 395,840,789 bbl for an average rate of 1,084,495 b/d. This increase was the result of the settlement of the civil war and the addition of new producing areas. Production in Angola increased slightly more than 100% for an average daily rate of 97,567 bbl. Gabon production increased approximately 8% from 1969, whereas Congo (Brazzaville) decreased about 22% from the 1969 production.

Exploration drilling increased from 1969 with a total of 135 wildcat wells drilled for a success of 17%. Discoveries were made in Angola (7 oil, 2 gas), Congo (Kinshasa) (1), Ghana (1), and Nigeria (11). Unsuccessful exploration wells were drilled in Cameroun, Congo (Brazzaville), Dahomey, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Malagasy Republic, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal, South West Africa, Spanish Sahara, and Togo.

In Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, and Congo (Brazzaville), 1969 development wells were drilled for an 80% success. Footage drilled during 1970 increased to a total of 2,560,447 ft (779,415 m). As of December 31, 1970, 37 rigs were operating.

Party-months of surface exploration were: surface geology, 46.5; seismograph, 263.39; gravimeter, 6.0; magnetometer, 14.0; photogeology, 17.75; geochemical, 6.0; structural drilling, 5.0; total, 382.84.