The times., 1901-04-29
THE FUTURE FOR FUEL OIL.
Beaumont Fields Can supply 1t at
Very Low Prices.

BALTIMORE. April 2S.-Five gushers
already in the Beaumont field is rec
ord, which is adding daily interest in the
DEVELOPMENTS in the new oil region OF
Texas II seems to be generally recog-
nized that the great value of the Oil is
it's quality as a fuel placed by nature
where il is capable of doing the most
good to the greatest number at the least
cost of production This is the position
taken in an elaborate article reviewing
the worlds oil trade. but having special
reference to the Texas situation, publish
ed in the Manufacturers Record, ana
written by student of the oil situation
from the broadest kind of standpoint
lie writes:
''On first impression it would seem that
as the Beaumont oil is chiefly fuel oil
ii would be of secondary importance to
the higher grade oil, but when the reia-
tive demands for fuel oil and refined OIL
are considered it is evident that a tuel
oil in the apparently ineNhaustible guam
titles in which it has been found in the
Beaumont field is of much more import
ance and value than an Illuminating OH
In the comparatively limited quantities
that nature has provided for it
"The demand for refined oil Is to
certain extent limited, and the supply at
the present time is approximately equal
TO the demand, while the demand for fuel
oil is practically unlimited and the de-
mand has been met in only one country,
Russia. where the consumption of fuel
oil now amounts to more than eight times
the combined consumption of all the re-
fined oils.
The special advantage which Beau
mont oil has over any other oil in the
world is in the fact that it can be pro-
duced and marketed at a minimum cost.
Being produced within eighteen miles Of
a seaport it can be piped into tank steam
ers at a cost so small as to be almost in
calclIlabIe. and it can be delivered at the
seaports of the United States, Mexico, the
West Indies South America, and Eu-
rope at a cost so low that no other fuel
can be used in competition for steam pur-
poses
Fuel oil from wells in the Beaumont
field can be piped to the seaboard at
Port Arthur and run into tank steamers
at a total cost OF production and trans
portation not exceeding 10 cents a bar
rel. and as three and one-half barrels OF
oil are equal to one ton Of coal for steam
purposes. this is equal to the delivery of
coal at the seaboard at a cost of 80 cents
a ton.
The location is specially advantageous
for shipment to Mexico and the West In
dies. which are the largest importers of
American coal, receiving nearly so per
cent of all the coal that is exported, eX-
cepting that which goes to Canada, In
considering the export feature of fuel oil
and the advantageous location of the
Beaumont field, the growing Importance
of New Orleans and Galveston as sea-
ports now stand respectively fourth ana
NTH IN the value of their exports, Whlch
i'm e. n case amount to more than double
that 3f San Francisco, and are only eX-
ceCd,u by New York, Boston, and Bal
timore.
for steam and industrial purposes is about
so per cent of the entire production.
Wherever fuel oil has come into compe-
tition with coal for steam purposes 1t
has practically driven coal from the field.
1t has done il in Russia, and IS now doing
it in California, and 1t viii do it wherever
it comes into competition with coal which
has TO be transported long distances.
The article treats of the Beaumont oil
as a Suppiier OF fuel for the southwest,
as well as for foreign shipment, ana says:
10 There is no question but that fuel
oil which can be put aboard vessels as
cheaply as oil from the Beaumont field,
can be delivered to any point IN the
| United States that can be reached py
water at a price which VIII give IL a
great advantage over steam coal. 1t Is
evident that the market in this direction
alone would absorb the entire production
Of the Texas oil field at a price which
gives its use an advantage over coal
That this viii be the case cannot be
doubted when it is considered how sensi-
tive industrial works of every kind are Il
the cost OF fuel, which is only second III
importance 10 water transportation as a
factor in the location and growth OF IN
dustrial centres, and the slightest advan-
tage is Immediately taken by all consum-