Petroleum Production in the Dutch East Indies and Western Borneo (Sarawak and Brunei) during 1932

THE total crude production from the Dutch East Indies, and the British Protectorates of Sarawak and Brunei for 1932 is given in the following table: BARRELS BARRELS (42 GAL.) (42 GAL.) North Sumatra 4,226,935 Ceram 326,207 South Sumatra 13,956,157 Sarawak 2,739,650 Java 3,845,568 Brunei 1,322,725 Dutch Borneo (main island) . 9,406,733 Dutch Borneo (Island of Tara- kan) 6,579,184 Total 42,403,159 Production, which had shown a rapid increase from 1921 to 1929, has since been reduced. Exploitation drilling in the majority of the larger fields was suspended and existing production kept within predetermined limits by beaning. Most of the smaller fields were shut down entirely. The depth of producing levels varies widely in the different fields. Shallow fields with drilling depths to 500 meters (1650 ft.) are still numer-ous as well as those with depths between 500 and 1000 m. (3300 ft.). A few of the newer fields reach greater drilling depths. up to 1600 m. (5250 ft.). The deepest exploration well drilled to date (Djambi field, South Sumatra) reached a depth of 2332 m. (7650 ft.) before abandon-ment in March, 1930. The specific gravities of the various crude oils produced range between 0.65 (86.2° A.P.I.) and 0.95 (17.5° A.P.I.). The lighter crudes have a high gasoline content and fuel oils are derived from the heavier crudes, which usually are rich in paraffin.