This review presents developments on the petroleum exploration and production activity during 1977 in 45 countries of Africa.

Petroleum was produced in 6 countries with a cumulative production of 930,959,959 bbl (2.5 million b/d), a 3.8% increase from the 1976 production level. Production increases were reported in Angola (41%) and Nigeria (13.5%). Cameroun recorded its first production from the Kole field in November 1977. Slight decreases occurred in Congo, Gabon, and Zaire. Total annual gas production decreased 18% to 604,200 MMcf (1,655 MMCFGD).

Surface exploration work decreased 19% to 139 party-months, including 120.22 party-months of seismic, 17.40 gravity, 1.33 geology, and some magnetometer.

A total of 245 wells was drilled, an increase of 14 (5.7%) from 1976. Exploratory drilling increased 39% to 114; 43 of the exploratory wells were discoveries, a success rate of 38%.

New-field discoveries were reported in Cameroun, Nigeria, Angola, and Gabon. A total of 71 unsuccessful wildcats was drilled in 12 countries. Development drilling amounted to 131 wells in Nigeria, Congo, Gabon, Cameroun, Ghana, and Zaire, with a 94% compounded success rate. Total wildcat and development footage was 1,948,016 (593,757 m). At year end, 39 rigs were operating.