The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-01-12
oil OPERATORS
BEGIN AS WITH
BRIGHTER HOPES
b. BICKNELL EUBANKs

by B1CANEkL EUbANAS
UNITED Press Stan CoFrespohdent)
Houston, Tex, Jan IL (UP)-The
nation,S petroleum industry, q bit
groggy from the blows Of the first
year at war, has started to recuper-
ate and begins the new year with
morec onfidence in the future than
1t has had In many months.
In production and manufacturing
phases, the oil industry has had
to cope with problems this past year
which never before had faced It.
Rationing of gasoline and fuel oil
was only the climax Of the multi
fold problems which began Dec. z,
1871, and accumulated rapidly dur
ing the months following.
Many independent operators in
this Southwest oil capital, who had
feared they would be squeezed from
solvency, now face the future a lit
tie more serenity. One unnamed in
dependent reflner said he had found
that military and lend-lease needs
were absorbing most Of the losses
incurred when the Eastern seboard
first started rationing and which
increased at least temporarily with
national rationing,
There still will be much civilian
use Of gasoline, for many cars have
b and e. cards." he pointed out.
TOO, trucking and bus companies
vii have increased business and
consequently will need more gaso-
line"
Adding New Products
He could not tell just how much
gasoline and other petroleum prod
uctS he was furnishing the Army,
Navy and lend-lease, but added that
1t was enough to keep him in busi-
ness.
In addition to normal petroleum
production, major oil companies are
now. turning to other, related fields.
MIST Of their 1912 profits are being
diverted to new plants for the pro-
duction of synthetic rubber, toluol,
toluene and high-test aviation gaso-
line.
OIL men predicted that the in
dustry would see more .wildcatting
during the new year than was pos
sible In 1912. It was predicted free
ly that restrictions on the use of
critical NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. which
have hamstrung the necessary oper-
atiorlS Of wildcatters-would be nft-
ed somewhat.
Important new oil discoveries were
made In 1912, however. In this area
they included the North Bayou City
Field opened by the Ohio Oil Co.
and the Gray and Gloria
Corp. strike in Montgomery county,
Tex, in the Conroe- Wilson trend.
See Sufficient Supply
Houston oil men predicted that
when the peak of the war effort Is
reached, the industry must produce
at least 5000, 900 barrels Of petroleum
a day to meet military and civilian
needs. f.. o,.
This production can be assured
from the nations oil fields by in
creast11g allowables and by pulling
more oil from the vast West Texas
reserves" william Fea1el, Houston
independent operator, said, TN
creased allowables together with
possible new discoveries should meet
all wartime demands, q4.
On the whole, the industry's rep
reSentAtives here felt the storms
that might spring up In 1913 could
be weathered. -
We've gotten along so far and
I'm sure we'll keep going right
along,'' one independent said.
There's les sactiyity, 1t is true, but
those in the industry ar sticking
together. I haven't heard Of many
being forced >out Of business. The
major companies, contrary to pro-
phecies early In 1912, have not COB
bled up the little man. On the other
hand, they have helped a few over
the high hurdles and have shown
that they are Just as. anxious for
the small operator to stay in bust
ness as he is himself"