2l8 NOETLING : PETROLEUM IN BURMA. 



I have now to deal with the various branches of the petroleum 

 traffic, viz., local consumption, import into Lower Burma and export 

 from Rangoon. 



Section i. — The local consumption of crude oil. 



As already pointed out it is very difficult to form an opinion 

 about the quantity of the local consumption previous to the annex- 

 ation of Upper Burma. For the three years following the annex- 

 ation we may form an estimate by deducting the oil exported into 

 Lower Burma, from the total production, the quantity of both being 

 known, the balance showing the probable local consumption. The 

 figures thus obtained are, however, not as correct as one might wish 

 because this quantity represents the offtake of a local contractor 

 who having made an agreement with the Burma Oil Company, had 

 secured the monopoly of supplying the whole of Burma and India 

 with crude oil. The crude oil subsequently imported into Lower 

 Burma and exported to India is included in the figures representing 

 the import of crude oil into Lower Burma. The consumption of 

 crude oil in Upper Burma, including oil exported to China, must 

 therefore be smaller than represented by the following table. 



In computing these figures I assumed that for the period 1 880-81 

 to 1885-86 one third of the total production was consumed locally, 

 basing this assumption on the statement of the Burmese Minister 

 above referred to (page 27). For the years 1886-87 to 1890-91 the 

 actuals being known the figures will represent the offtake of the 

 local contractor, which includes oil subsequently imported to Lower 

 Burma, part of which was exported to India. 



From the 1st of April 1891, up to the present date, no accu- 

 rate figures can be given, because the native well owners have 

 obtained the right of free sale, the local consumption is supplied by 

 countless channels, through which the oil finds its way from the 

 producer to consumer. 

 ( 264 ) 



