Significant rightholding changes took place in central and southern Africa during 1988. Angola, Chad, Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Somalia, Tanzania, and Zaire announced awards or acreage open for bidding. Decreases in exploratory rightholdings occurred in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Kenya, Malagasy Republic, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.

Fewer wells and greater footage were drilled in 1988 compared to 1987. Total wells decreased slightly as 246 wells were completed compared to 254 in 1987. Footage drilled during 1988 increased by 10% as about 2.1 million ft were drilled compared to about 1.9 million ft in 1987. The success rate for exploration wells in 1988 improved considerably to 49% compared to 36% in 1987. Significant discoveries were made in Nigeria, Angola, Congo, and Gabon.

Seismic acquisition was the major geophysical activity during 1988. Seismic crew activity (2-D and 3-D) increased by 5% to 207 crew-months. Total 2-D seismic kilometers recorded decreased by 20% to about 67,500 km compared to 84,000 in 1987. Geological field work and gravity and magnetic surveys decreased significantly compared to 1987.

Total oil production in 1988 was 875 million bbl (about 2.4 million BOPD), an increase of 13%. The increase is mostly due to a 12% increase in Nigerian production and a 26% increase in Angola production. The production share of OPEC countries (Nigeria and Gabon) versus non-OPEC countries decreased from 67% in 1987 to 66% in 1988 due to increases in Angola.