The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-05-02
OIL IS KING
IN CALIFORNIA


ures for the year just concluded shb
that the output of petroleum for 1910
was 100000 barrels. At an average
of the prices obtained during the year
this product brought to the producers
approximately $97,500,000.
While this is the remarkable record
of the past, the prospects for the flu
ture are even brighter. One of the
best discussions of the future of the
states oil industry was embraced in
paper read before the mining associa-
ton of the University of California by
M. L. Requa. After indicating the
growth of production to its present
proportions. he said in part:
at is not possible that this increase
can continue in any such ratio over
any long period. The nearby markets
are now amply supplied, and to in
crease consumption, beyond the nat
ural yearly growth due to increased
population, we must seek more distant
markets with, incidentally, greatly
added capital required to supply
transportation facilities. There is a
reason to be lieve that California can
can find a market for 30,000,010 bar
rels annually within two years and
100,0000)0 barrels within five years.
Beyond this it is at present hard to
say, but, personally, believe 100000
300 barrels may be the ultimate high
water mark and it is quite possible in
the event of natural gas being piped
throughout the state, that the annual
consumption will be somewhat less.
"In view of the large investment re-
quired in pipe lines, ships, tank cars
and distributing stations, and the vital
bearing the industry has on the pros
perity of the state, it is interesting to
theorize upon the probable productive
life in years Of the oil lands of the
state.
"W w. circuit, geologist of the
Union Oil Company. has estimated
that from actually known sources the
state can output 100000 barrels
per annum for period of fifty years.
This totals 3,750,OOO,0]O barrels, and
circuit has pointed out that this esti-
mate is confined to territory regarding
which there is little doubt; in fact, it
comprises largely the proved areas of
the state from which production is
already being derived.
''Mr. Arnold, whose reports on Col
ifornia fields, published while he was
a member of the United States geo.
logical survey, are the most exhaust
i've treatises extant, has estimated as
a result of his Investigations a total
minimum of 5,O0O,OOO,)00 and maxi
mum of S,5OO,OOO,OOO. Assuming a
mean of 7,0OO,OOO,10O barrels, we
would have a yield of 7O,OOO,0)O bar
rels per annum over period of 100
years, and it is possible, as I have
already indicated, that provided the
territory comprised in Arnold's estt-
mate ofS50 square miles is equally as
productive as the territory already
producing we may have total posi-
BILE recovery Of 1000, 100000 barrels
with possibilities even beyond this
quantity
81 believe we can safely assume the
figures of circuit as being a minimum.
and if we do so assume we are as
sured that the state will maintain it's
present production for period of at
least fifty years.
'The west coast of North America,
Central and South America, is poorly
supplied with coal deposits. Aside
from the deposits in Washington and
British Columbia, and the undevel-
oped resources of Alaska and Peru,
there is no available fuel of salts
factory quality. The coal that is pro-
duced does not at all compare with
the best Eastern, Welsh or Austria
liam Goals, and the cost is materially
higher Herein lies the reason for
the great success of, and the demand
for. California oil For the genera
ton of steam it is the fuel par excel
lence, being in every way more desir-
able than coal.
at is now among the near POSSIBLE
tiles that natural gas, product of oil
will be piped from the Midway field
through the Sacramento and San Joa-
quin valleys and to Southern Califor-
MIA. If this is accomplished We shall
be burning gas in place Of coal in our
homes, and gas will probably largely
supplant oil for stationary power
plants and will be used directly for
Illuminating in place of the gas now
made from oil. What quantity of oil