Abstract: | Oil production in Africa rose from 1.4m tons in 1959 to 3.5m. tons in 1961. Only a small fraction of world production, its most important effect will probably be one industrialisation rather than on exports. Though exports are increasing, so also are plans for refineries and innumerable industrial plants that, could absorb much of the oil locally. End 1961 Africa shared 2.8% of the world's oil reserves; of this 1.7% was Algerian and 1.1% the rest. Africa shared of world production 2% in 1961, of which 1,4% Algerian. Dominating in the rest was Nigeria (1961 £11.5m.); nearest rival Gabon's export £1m. in 1961. Oil refining capacity in Africa will rise from 11m. tons a year to 30m. in 1965. Refineries with over 1m. tons capacity: Tenerife Mohamedia, Durban and 2 in the Suez area together with the BP plant Adeh. Under construction or in project: Algiers, Dakar, Port Harcourt, Accra, Mombasa, Durban (2), Abidjan, Monrovia, Leopoldville. Prospecting, share of profits, oil search, home-use, secondary industries, gas are other items on which this article gives some, general information. |