Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-11-14


authority on the oil industry is the Hon.
William P. Cole, chairman Of the congress
sional investigating committee which has
many times prohed into the oil industry.
Congressman Cole is leaving congress to
become judge on the o. 8. Customs Court
In New York.
Before leaving his congressional post,
Congressman Cole addressed letter to
President Roosevelt in which he declared
that an oil famine is at hand which threa-
tens the success Of the United Nations in
the war-a situation created by the admin
istration, he says.
Il paint a sombre picture Mr. President,
and regret its necessity, but would be
recalcitrant Of my duty did I not call it to
your attention before leaving Washington"
wrote Congressman Cole
Every person should read this letter We
cannot print all of it but we will give the
outstanding paragraphs. Congressman Cole
told the president:
There is a serious lack Of understanding
among both officials and laymen as to the
real situation with respect to the supply Of
petroleum products for the conduct of the
war They have heard about the estimated
eighteen to twenty billions Of barrels OF
crude petroleum products for the conduct
Of the war They have heard about the
estimated eighteen to twenty billions OF
barrels Of crude petroleum remaining In
the oil fields of this country and have the
idea that this is a Is or il years supply at
our present rate of consumption.
There is no justification for such be-
lief 1t viii take many more than IA years
for this oil to be produced. Some of this oil
viii not be produced for so years.
with our present transportation and pre-
sent rate Of discovery. showing any regard
for conservation, we will be short OF OIL
within years.
Another misconception widely held is
that the productive capacity Of the present
crude oil producing facilities of this country
far exceed the quantity Of crude oil cur
rently being consumed
It is true that If every oil well in the
United States should be produced to capa-
city for single day, the crude oil produced
would exceed by several million barrels the
amount which we use each day. But pro-
ducing an oil well or an oil field at it full
capacity results in such waste Of gas and
such disruption of the ever-present under
lying salt water level as to result ultimately
in a shameful and incurable waste. Pc
troleum engineers have proven that the
wide open flow of wells results IN at least
one-third less oil being ultimately recovered
from the ground than when properly pro-
duced
"Circumstantial proof that restricting the
rate of production. increases the quantity OF
oil ultimately to be recovered is found in the
widespread voluntary curtailment now gen.
orally practiced in the oil fields.
1.-THE maximum efficient production from
all the wells in the country now is less than
the present consumption; and since the
bulk Of the producing capacity Is concen-
trated in areas far removed from the heavy
consumption the wells located closer to
the consuming areas are already being called
upon to produce at rates which are waste
full and which can only be sanctioned as
war measure.
"A THIRD MISCONCEPTION IS THE
BELIEF THAT DEFICIENCIES IN Pc
TROLEUM PRODUCTION CAPACITY CAN
BE MET BY CURTAIING CIVILIAN
CONSUMPTION TT SOUNDS so PATENT.
TT Is A MOST DANGEROUS ERROR.
1.-THE principal petroleum product con-
sumed by civilians is motor fuel. The
quantity Of petroleum products needlessly
consumed by civilians which could be cur
tailed viii have only a minor effect on the
quantity Of crude oil which must be re-
fined in order to produce the essential war
products
"It will have less than no effect unless
strategic equipment is made available to
utilize this saving and price adjustments
for changed conditions are inaugrated
1.-THE only civilian consumption which can
be curtailed to directly relieve the petroleum
shortage is the use of fuel oils for residential
heating.
'It is extremely dangerous to rely on re-
stricting civilian consumption to offset
petroleum shortage. without complete prep
aration for the utilization Of the saved prod
ucts of conversion to other war products.
1.-THE War Production Board and the Of
flee Of Petroleum Coordinator have given
priority assistance for materials for the
wildcat wells. Furthermore, they have
eliminated these exploratory wells from the
restrictions imposed by the orders generally
applicable to the industry.
"They have further attempted to force
wildcat drilling by wider spacing Of the wells
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