RECORDS ESTABLISHED

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 112, 14 May 1935, Page 14

RECORDS ESTABLISHED

PETROL CONSUMPTION

FIGURES* FOR 1934,

INTKK ESTING COMPARISONS. How much petrol did tlie world use lust year? Figures for 19.'!4 show that the world's production of petroleum equalled, if they <lid not surpass, the peak output of 1920, nnd this high yield lias been reached although the United States had been allowed to produce only about li per cent more than in the preceding year. The U.S.A. produce nearly 02 per cent of the world's total. All other important producing countries, except Venezuela, Mexico, and Colombia, probably reached their highest peak last year. The world's consumption of petroleum, its products and related fuels, is estimated at 1,438,000,000 barrels. This is a substantial increase over 1933,

although it does not equal the peak consumption of 1920. The increased consumption in the various countries is estimated as follows: In the United States at 4 per cent, in France at ">.l per cent, in Canada at 8 per cent, in the United Kingdom at about 10 per cent, nnd i" Germany about 15 per cent. In Rltsein there is a small increase in consumption, a decline of exports, and a new peak production figure. The probable result is an increase in stock often ascribed to the importance that Russia places on an ample available supply of fuel in case of international difficulties. Japan, it is noteworthy, has made it mandatory on petroleum marketers to keep at nil tunes a six months' supply in storage.

From -figures of the world's petrol consumption the enormous nature of the trade can be appreciated. In the United Kingdom, us can be shown by official statistics, consumption approaches 100,000,000 gallons per month. In the United Statns consumption is fourteen times as great, or over 1,350,000.000 gallons per month. The State of New Vork alone consumes r>o per cent more petrol than the entire United Kingdom.