The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-06
PETROLEUM PRODUCTION.

In his report to the United states Geo
logical Survey on the production of pc
troleum in 1902, now in press, Mr.. T. H.
| Oliphant notes the following points as
the most conspicuous features in the pro-
duction. sale, and export of crude petro-
leum and its products for the year 1902:
The production of crude petroleum was
greater than that of any previous year;
there was a slight decrease in production
of the Appalachian field, and a slight in
crease in the Lima-Indiana field; the gen.
eral average price for crude petroleum
was less than in any year since 1895;
stocks held in the Appalachian and Lima
Indiana fields showed a considerable de-
crease, principally in the Appalachian
field; the exports of petroleum in 1902,
were less than in 1901; no new pools were
discovered in 1902
The total production in the United
States Of crude petroleum in 1902 was
so, s94599 barrels, as against So, 3s9 1874 bar
rels in 1901. an increase of II ,505, 396 bar
rels, or 16.5 per cent over that of 1900.
The greatest portion of the increase in
1902 came from Texas and California, the
gain being 5,SSO,s94, barrels, or 1927 per
cent, for Texas. and 5,1S7,51s barrels. or
SO per cent, for California, as compared
with their respective productions in 1901.
The increase in Indiana in 1902 was 1.722,-
SO barrels, or about 30 per cent over that
of 1901. Louisiana produced for the first
time in 1902, the production being 54s.617
barrels. The increase in the production
Of Kansas was 59s barrels. or about
So per cent over 1901 Kentucky and Ten
nessee Increased their production in 1902
by 47,79s barrels, or nearly 50 per cent
Indian Territory increased 27.OOO barrels
and Wyoming $50 barrels as compared
with 1901
The largest decrease in production 10
1902 as compared with 1901.
The largest decrease in production in
1902 as compared with 1901 was in West
Virginia, where it amounted to 663,7s1
barrels, or about As per cent; and Ohio
in its two fields. showed a decrease of
6SS,S52 barrels. or nearly per cent. The
decrease in Pennsylvania was Sol 49S bar
rels, or about per cent; in Colorado
66.21S barrels, or about ii per cent.
The percentages of production by fields
show remarkable change from 1900 TO
1902. In 1900 the percentages were: APP
palchian field. 81; Lima-Indiana field, "a;
all other fields. nearly 9. In 1902 the re-
spective percentages were: Appalachian
field. 80; Lina-Indiana field, %; all other
fields, about 90.
The value of the crude petroleum pro-
duced in 1902 was $50 610.SS4, or SIS cents
per barrel, that for 1901 having been SEQ
1885, or 97.7 cents per barrel, a decrease
of 81 cents per barrel, or 10 per cent. in
1902. The gross amount received for the
total product in 1902 was only sS,l93. O13
greater than that in 1901, although the
increase in output was about 16.5 per cent
greater. The average price paid for what
is known as Pennsylvania petroleum,
which comprises nearly 90 per cent of the
production of the Appalachian field, was
s1.2375 per barrel in 1902, that for 1901 hav-
ing been S1.21, a gain Of nearly B cents
per barrel There was also gain off
nearly cents per barrel in the price OF
/ the Lima Indiana petroleum in 1862 over
1901. California petroleum decreased us
cents per barrel in 1902 as compared with
1901. and Texas petroleum decreased ASS
cents per barrel.
The total number or productive wells
in the Appalachian and the Lima-I Indiana
/ fields in 1892 was 1925. the number in
1901 having been 9s12. The total number
of wells completed in the United States
IN 1see was about 1880 At an average
cost of S1,5e0 each these wells represent
an investment of SIS. 10000. or about "a
per cent of the gross receipts for the Pc
I troieurn produced in 1902
The exports of petroleum and its pro-
ducts exceeded 1.Ooe.eo0 ballons in 1902,
( for the second time in the history OF the
I industry. the number OF gallons exported
being 64.2SS.e0 a smaller total exporta-
ton by nearly l5.ooe,oc0 gallons than In
I 1901