The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-11-13
SOUTH AMERICA
 AS OIL PRODUCER
By HOLLAND


 New York, November 12.-Special. Frederick G. Clapp; who is managing en- gineer of the Associated Geological Engi- neers of high professional standing re- gently, in a carefully prepared state ment expressed an opinion which should be, at this time, of great interest to those who are deeply concerned over the out look of the petroleum or oil industry, not only of the United States, but of the world. He predicts that South America will probably rise, to quote his words, in the course of few years to the second place in the list of petroleum producers of the world When pr. Clapp made this statement he called attention to the fact that all five continents of the world contain petroleum and in the order or importance of present development stand thus, first, North America; second, Eu' rope; third, Asia; fourth, South Aneri- ca; and fifth, Africa. Yet although South America now stands fourth Tn the list other resasons are excellent for sur missing that in the course of q few years the production of petroleum in the south American continent will be so great as to change the position of South Amerlea from fourth to second place..
 Developments in Asia, however, may bring that continent up to the position Of second in the list, with South America third although Dr. Clapp says that 1t IS possible that North America will be ex- ceeded in production by Asia and South America.
 In view of the enormous present and increased future demand for oil and tor it's by-products and especially in view or tba tai iptx bot oil will be Sr6atlY needed within the next 10 years, there has been no little anxiety respecting the continuation of the supply. of oil. Some of the best experts have ventured to es- timate that at the present rate, of pro- duction-a little over 340,000,0Oo barrels of oil a year--supplied by the North Ameri- can fields our oil resources will have been exhausted within 20 years. Yet the United States and the world, in fact, are becoming more and more dependent upon oil in it's various manufactured forms for industrial and domestic pur- poses.
 WILL SOUTH AMERICA LEAD?
 Therefore, coming from so high an au- thority as Dr. Clapp, the estimate that within few years South America may stand second to the United States cer- tainly third, and may possibly exceed the production of oil in this country, brings some relief from the apprehension that our oil supply will be Exhausted within few years.
 It is an interesting fact that what ever may be the production hereafter of South American oil. and it is certain to be speeded up to the highest peak, the vast republic of Brazil, so far as is now known, will not contribute barrel of oil, for none has yet been found in Brazil. Brazirs neighbors, Argentina. Bolivia and the nations which border upon the Caribbean sea. are known to be rich in oil. For instance, pr. Clapp calls attention to the oil-producing possibilities in Colombia, Ecuador and especially in that province of Colombia which is the Isthmus of Darfen. Here the evidences are strong of abundant petroleum springs and pools and 1t is believed that Ameri- can capital will speedily be invested in the exploitation of new fields. The pe- troleum region of Ecuador is really, Dr. Clapp says, an extension of the Peru vian -oil fields. Bolivia is believed to
 have very large petroleum fields. Blu