New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-26
Tile PETRNLENM SIPPLI.

A GREAT DECLINE IN TIE Production OF THR
BRADFCED OIL FIsLD-AC1IvE COMPETITION THE
Only HOPE FOR CHEAP OIL IN THE FUTURE.
from An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE rHWuNE.l
BRADFORD. Penn, Dee. GA few facts re-
gardlng an industry that contributes product the
fourth value upon export list VIII not, perhaps,
nasmuch parativcy little Is known OF
the petroleum business outside Of the region OF It's origin
In general way has been Understood that the pro
ducOn of oil has, since the discovery Of the Brad
ford field three or four years ago. greatly exceeded the
consumption, and few persons not directly interested
have gwen any further attention to the mat
ter. To-day, however. the whole situation
has changed, ana mess some other great OIL
producing very Brought 10 gh,, The con
sumers and not the producers Of petroleum Will have
cause for anXl r.
The situation seems to be as follows: The Brad
ford oil field is rapidly following IN Tie foot
STEPS OF the Oh Creek, Butler and Clarion dis
trcs the decline in production being steady and rapid
OF Creek. tuai at time supplied the world with OIL,
nav produces than 600 barrels day, while the
Butler aud Clarion districts, thar put forth
10000 barrels daily, are now known only
as places where old JUNK may be purchased az very lon
prices. In other words, the Bradford field must now
produce The oil and II is beyond question that TINS field
upon the downward grade. One of the strongest
Indications of tins fact is found in the decline OF new
work. THIS caused by the inactivity OF the pro-
Gucers but by the lack Of available territory IN which TO
operate All producing territory IN the hands OF
actual operators, many of whom were anxious TO
bold their land without drilling until next
year. they expected much better prices, knowing
that the field was limited But in nearly every case
these conservative operators were compelled TO sink wells
in order TO prevent their lands from being drained
through the drilling OF reckless neighbOr. The result
has been that to-day they that they will be out Of
work next year territory. But the individual
hardship VIII be nothing compared 10 the
probable increased OF artificial light 10
the worlds poor. To come. then, to the immediate
future of petroleum production and its cost, 1t
may be said that, from the comparatively little
new work being commenced, the rapid decline in
the wells now producing and the defining OF the Oil
bearing territory, the days Of cheap petroleum have
passed at least for some time. Even should new field
be discovered past experience shows that petroleum.
outside OF the present field where the oil flows owing to
the great quantity Of gas produce from II 80
80 per barrel When the world has to depend upo dis
trcis outside of Bradford for its supply, it may
sonaoly expect TO pay the above prices for
crude oil The number OF wells now being pumped
this district is simply enormous, and have talxed
with three suckerrOd manufacturers who fitting up
daily an average of twenty wells pumping well never
produces anything Ike as much one that flows and
the increased of operating made up of labor break
ing and wearing OF machinery clogging OF the tdbil
from sand and parafine and stoppaGe from severe
weather all Into the general account AT pres
a "a
scarcity Of In every district In the Bradford field
indications or an immense decline daily accumulate.
While an decIInc and increased cost OF pro-
ductlOn crude oil are certain anything
b. It possible that this not have The
effect raising the price OF refined oil for the following
reasons Heretofore the Standard Oh Company has
at least twothrds OF the crude material and The
profits have undoubtedly been very large In the
Injunction SUIT, Cleveland. of the Standard OIL Com
pany against Sch0ficld, Shurmer Teagle the following
appeared as part of the evidence:
The next year. 1876 the profit per barrel 20 So
About S. 900 barrels refined, and there real
profit Of 5000 900. Each party, plaintiff and dcfcuu-
ants thus received ST. 900 profit While the
continued July 20. 1850 the lowest profit 81 81
per barrel, ana the average II ~ per barrel.
1t was inevitable that business show
ing such net profit to one corpora
tion and large a percentage OF net gains should
attract attention Of capitalists. aud large number
of capacous refineries buidIDgat Buffalo Pitts
burg Chester and other points with these renerIes ia
the crude market competitive buyers, IL IL possible
price of refined OIL Will be Kept within reason
able nmiIs Notwithstanding large appreciation OF tn"
urjce OF crude oil. 4 moderate price for refined OIL Is
a real blessing to almost every laud on the planet,
and boon which, 1t Is TO be hoped, THIS country be
able to confer upon the poor VI all nations Tor macy