New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-20
THE PETROLEUM OUTPUT.
RUSSIA A LARGER PRODUCER THAN
THE UNITED STATES.

Washington. Oct l9.-The present condition of
the coal supply Of the United States and the posi-
biites of the large substitution of petroleum for
coal as fuel give an increased interest TO the
statistics of Russian petroleum, as reported in
Mineral Resources of the United States 1901,
soon 10 be published by the United Geologi-
cal Survey.
Since the year 1857 Russia has produced more
petroleum than the United States. Beginning with
1877. the Russian production has been increasing
by average OF over u per cent each year 10 the
close of 1901. In round numbers the figures Of pro-
duction Tor the TWO countries follows; 1897
Russia. 100000 barrels United States 6ooHon
barrels lScs-Russia, 6200o1 barrels: United
States 81 00o0o barrels lSg9-Russia Is s0O00 bar
rels; United States 100000 barrels 1gel-Russia,
100000 barrels; United States 100000 barrels.
lsol-Russia, $4,000 barrels; United States 69eo
90 barrels The average annual increase during
the five years for Russia has been 1857 per cent;
for the United States. 2Ss per cent. there having
been small decrease in the production Of the
United States in 1897 and large decrease in lssS
The facilities for handling the large Russian pro-
duction are at present crude. costly and waste
ful. The markets are far away from the pro-
toum, on the Black Sea. Is separated by noun
Baku on the Caspian Sea To bring the oil to the
seaboard. 400 miles OF railroad must be travelled
miles still remain before reaching Batoum The
capacity of the pipe line is almost double the ca
pacity OF the railroad. so that the amount taken
10 Batogm depends upon the capacity Of the rail
OF the production and reaches many miles into the
heart OF the Russian Empire But the Nolga Is
subject 10 months of low water stages in the sum
cents per barrel for resid1as Of fuel OIL allowing
S5 barrels 10 equal one ton of Russian coal
per ton for coal. When the oil is valued at Il
IS equivalent to s per rs ton for eoa This IS
very fair price for the petroleum and should carry
responding cost Of the Russian coal, which IL
regular supply and the huctuatng price which in
terfere with the sale Of larger quantities OF fuel
oil in the great interior of Russia Al the price
Which is Considerably higher 20 ths s the er
price for 1901 the oil cannot fail 20 secure mar
ket II transportation could be guaranteed, and
at prices much in advance Of the price named for
During the year 1890. Russia produced only about
l7;Seooo short tons Of coal. the higher grades OF
%Sh S I0r 4 10 10 Tqnies per ton or about g
States produced in round numbers, go Oo0o0 short
tons OF coaL All OF the countries bordering the
Mediterranean Sea are poorly supplied with fuel
When II is considered that two-thrds Of the total
production Of Baku about 0oo0Oo barrels in 1900
finds a market as fuel oil we have in the pc
troleum an equivalent OF nearly 100000 tons Of
coal sAEs'
When certain means Of oil transportation now
in contemplation in Russia are finished the value
the Industry of that great Country viii re-
eeive the benefits 10 which it is entitled from ma
The total exports Of petroleum. crude and re-
nned. from Russia TO foreign ports in 1901 were
exports OF petroleum from the United states in
1911 which amounted 10 lo62.7J0So6 gallons. valued
The very great difference between the petroleum
OF the United States and that OF Russia Is shou-n
in The statistics OF refined petroleum OF the total
Morld production of crude petroleum in 1901 l65
SS5 S barrels the United States produced sci $50 aa
barrels; or 41s7 per cent and Russia produced s.
1856 barrels. 5l.49 per cent: and vet OF the
IN lso estimated at gallons for All co9n
TIE me United States produced GIL 1905 H gallons
only III per cent. "