130 Modern Business Geography
v
if
THE WORLy
2 JCTION OF PETROLFt
“MILLIDN. BARRELS oF
6(
WB.
Fic. 103. About seven tenths of the world’s output of petroleum comes from the United States.
Another tenth comes from Venezuela and Mexico. The remainder is supplied mainly by Russia,
Persia, Rumania, and the East Indies. A production map for 1950 may tell a very different
story; for the oil supplies of the United States are being exhausted, while the oil fields of western
Asia (Persia, Mesopotamia, Transcaucasia) have immense reserves. It is possible, also, that
before 1950 oil will be discovered in regions that have not vet been explored for it, or that most
will come from shale.
F. Where petroleum may be obtained.
Ll. In the United States. Examine the map showing the petroleum resources
of the United States (Fig. 102). Which is our leading oil state? Explain
why this state finds it cheaper to burn oil than coal in its locomotives.
Try to find out what state has the most “ oil shale.” Report on such
shales.
Which of the oil fields producing more than 4 per cent of the country’s
total are most advantageously situated to supply the greatest number of
automobiles? Which are best situated for transportation (a) by pipe
line (Fig. 104); (b) by tank steamer; (c) by tank car?
In the rest of the world. From Figure 103 list the six chief oil regions in the
order of their production.
Explain why many of the Mexican wells are drilled with English and
German capital.
How the petroleum industry has developed its peculiar transportation
facilities.
The pipe line. Examine the map of pipe lines, Figure 104. Why do so
many lines center in New Jersey? Give three reasons why they are lo-
cated in this section of the country.
Why do no lines run to the southeastern states?
Where are the chief centers from which most of the oil is pumped? If
we liken the pipe lines to arteries, what name mav we applv to these
regions ?
What reasons are there for pumping Oklahoma oil to Chicago rather than
to Baton-Rouge ?
2
A
GG
2.
2»
