178 



NOETLING : PETROLEUM IN BURMA. 



construction, and if we add to their number (120) that of total num- 

 ber according to Captain Strover, nafnely 270, we receive 390, say 

 400 wells, a figure which is pretty close to that given by Dr. Fried- 

 lander. 



The next estimates, that is to say, those of the Burmese Minister 

 (336 wells), of Sir Charles Bernard (343 wells), and Dr. Romanis 

 (374 wells) are undoubtedly too low, because I ascertained at the 

 time of my first visit the existence of the old numbering of the wells 

 which may partly be seen still, according to which there were at 

 least 538 wells. It has been stated that the numbering was done 

 immediately after the annexation ; however it may be, whether it 

 was done in Burmese times or later, the figure of 538 wells agrees 

 so well with the number of 512 wells, theoretically supposed to be in 

 existence in 1885, that the two statements referring to the number 

 of wells in 1886 must be below the mark, which applies probably also 

 to the statement for 1879-81. The number given by me in 1888 is 

 also a little too low, as I confess that I must have overlooked some 

 of the abandoned wells. 



The following table will show the probable number of wells in 

 existence in the years referred to, those figures which are calculated 

 being marked by*:— 



Table showing the probable number of productive and unprom 

 ductive pit wells in the Yenangyoung oilfield during different 

 periods. 



Year. 



Number of 



productive 



wells. 



1795-97 



1826 •••••« 



1855 



1873 



1874 



1885 



70* 

 107* 

 130 

 ISO 

 214 



245 



Number of 



unproductive 



wells. 



60* 

 93* 

 113* 

 130* 

 186* 

 289* 



Cotal number 

 of wells. 



130* 

 200 



243* 



280* 

 400* 

 538 



( 224 ) 



