At the end of 1977, the total area covered by petroleum rights in the 6 countries in North Africa was 2,876,000 sq km, about the same level as at the end of the previous year. Most of these rights (86%) were on land, 7% were on the shelf, and the remaining 7% in deep water.

Exploration activity increased in all the countries during the year. Seismic statistics are difficult to draw up, as national-state companies rarely make their activities available. Reconnaissance geophysical methods and geologic studies remained at a low level.

Wildcat drilling activity increased slightly with 90 wells and 287,000 m drilled, compared with 87 wells and 271,000 m in 1976. The exploratory success rate was 21% (25% in 1976) with 19 discoveries, of which 7 were offshore. The best results were obtained in Libya with 13 oil discoveries. The other discoveries were made in Tunisia (3), in Algeria (2), and in Egypt (1). All the discoveries were oil except 2: 1 gas in Tunisia and 1 gas and condensate in Algeria.

Development drilling sharply increased (+65%) and this effort resulted in an increase in the production of all the countries concerned.

Oil production, with an average of 3,719,000 b/d increased 11.1% since 1976 (3,348,000 b/d). During 1977, 2 countries reached record highs in oil production: Algeria with 1,140,000 b/d and Egypt with 414,800.

Three new fields were put on stream in 1977: 2 in Egypt (Ras Gharib Marine and GS 382 in the Gulf of Suez) and 1 in southern Tunisia (Chouech-Essaida).

Gas production increased by 10% since 1976 with an average of 1,275,000 MCFGD. Egypt recorded the most significant increase with the development of the Abu al Gharadiq and Abu Maadi fields.