Exploration activity in South America, Central America, the Caribbean area, and Mexico in 1989 continued to rebound from the low levels reported in 1987. Exploratory drilling increased in most major producing countries and, for the first time, wildcatting began in Aruba and stratigraphic drilling was done in Puerto Rico. Noteworthy discoveries were made in Argentina (Selva Maria-1, Estancia Vueja-1, and Lago Fuego-1), Bolivia (Patuju X-1, San Roque X-10, and Vibora X-2), Brazil (1-RJS-414 and 1-RJS-409 offshore, and 1-CUP-1-AM and 1-CRP-1-AM onshore), Chile (Terramar XE-1, Fresia-1, Mata Negra-1, Municion Oeste-1, and Gaviota Norte-6), Colombia (Cohembi-1, Mansoya-1, Mecaya-1, Toroyaco-1, Camoa-1, Chaparrito Norte-1, Los Toros-1, Sirenas-1, Bucaro-1, Guacamayo-1, aldivia-1, El Deseo-1, Dona Maria-1, Pacande-1, Olini-1, and Chenche-1), Ecuador (Danta-1, Lobo-1, Iro-1, Sunka-1, and Yanpuna-1), Peru (Chambria Este-123), and Venezuela (Boqueron Norte-1, Corozo-1, Carito-Este-1, and Tejero-1).

The highlights of 1989 were again in the eastern Venezuela deep basin, the Llanos basin of Colombia, the sub-Andean Amazon basins of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and in the Neuquen basin of Argentina.