This review covers the petroleum exploration and production in 45 countries of Africa. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, and Sudan are excluded, and dealt with in another article.

Surface exploration work decreased 44% to 272.1 party-months of which seismograph was 213.5, gravimeter 29.2, photogeology 11.5, magnetometer 8.9, surface geology 7, and geochemical survey 2.

Exploratory drilling decreased from 120 to 116 wildcats with 25.7% success, slightly less than in 1974. New-field discoveries were reported in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, and Nigeria. A total of 36 dry holes was drilled in 12 other countries.

Development drilling decreased to 231 wells in Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, and Zaire, with an 83.6% success ratio. Total wildcat and development footage was 3,013,401 (918,488 m). Average well depth was 8,684 ft (2,647 m) compared to 8,910 ft (2,716 m) in 1974. At year-end, 36 rigs were operating, versus 51 in 1974.

Total annual production decreased 15.8% from 951.8 to 801.6 million bbl, with an average rate of 2.2 million BOPD. Production increase was recorded in Gabon only. Production started in Zaire on December 24, 1975. Total annual gas output was 525,677 MMcf (1,440 MMCFD).