The daily morning oasis., 1920-03-12
TAMPICO C 0 U | D
SUPPLY 7 H {
%
WORLD WITH
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INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT OIL
PRODUCTION IN MEXICO, AND
ITS MARKETS.
Bv RALPH H. TURNER

UNITED Press Staff correspondent
TAMPICO, Feb. 9. (By MaiD- Oil
men believe today that 1920 may wit
ness the greatest activity in the Mex
lean petroleum industry. They agree
also that the oil development of Mex
leo is still in it's infancy.
Before peering into the future, how
ever, it is we'll to get picture of the
present. For only by comprehending
the immensity of the Mexican oil
game today can person give credence
to the staggering possibilities of the
future.
1t must be explained, before citing
production figures, that in Mexico a
distinction always is drawn between
actual" and potential" production.
T-.e potential production of a well in
the Tampico field is so great that only
comparatively small part of the oil
is pumped from the wells. There are
two principal reasons for this. First
transportation and terminal facilities
are insufficient to handle the full out
put; second, it is deemed unwise to
pump the wells to their full capacity,
ror that hastens the enerochment of
salt water, a factor that has already
brought grief to many of Tampico's
biggest producers.
On the first of this year the daily
potential production of the Tampico
territory was estimated at 1,77O,OO0
barrels. This figure included the out
put Of the two principal fields of the
! northern district, Panuco and Topila,
| I'D of the south country, where pre-
| duction is heaviest the wells in that
.ield averaging daily potential pro-
auction Of $4,000 barrels. Of the
total estimate, however, not more tina!
IS per cent of the oil is actually being
produced.
A better idea of actual production
may be gained from the export fig
ures.
In January sixteen oil companies
exported 100000 barrels of petrole-
UNI from the Tampico district, an in,
crease ever previous months. The
Hausteca Petroleum Company, found
! ed by E. L. Doheny of Los Angeles
recorded the biggest EXPORTS The
Standard Oil Company of New Jerse,
was second and Ell Aguila, represent
ing British capital was third
During 1919. the production of pc
troleum in Mexico totalled 92,4O2,055
barrels, according to George Blardone,
petroleum statistician whose figures
are generally accepted as "official''
by the oil companies.
Exports of crude oil and refinery
products from the three ports OF Tam
pico, Tuxpam and Port Lobos totalle'
80 100000 barrels in the same year.
But here is the sufficient fact; this
was an increase of AZ per cent over
1918. Of the total exports the Unit
ed States took nearly 57,OO0,OOO bar
rels. South America, with six and
one-half million barrels, and Great
Britain, with something over two mil
lion barrels, were next in line.
Not only do these figures give con-
crete evidence of the size Of the Mex
lean oil industry. but they indicate
that the United States not only is the
leading producer of Mexican oil but
also is the principal purchaser. I'm
like other oil producing countries, the
internal consumption Of crude oil and
refined products in Mexico is very
low; consequently, the bulk of the pro-
duction is transported to tidewater
and shipped to foreign ports.
The quantity of Mexican oil pro-
duction, however, must be viewed in
light of fact that she has probably
has drilled fewer wells, and proved
less territory, than any other great
oil producing region. Oil men in
Tampico declare today that potential
ly Mexico is able to supply the petro-
ieum demands of the whole world.
The basis of that prophecy, and the
movement toward it's realization, con-
tain the future of Mexico's oil in
dustry. And it is future oil supply
that the world is struggling for today.
Mrs. w. D. Cameron, of 2O7 West
xor,,o SC rooo,Hod Ollito i'll