Chinese oil sources during World War 2

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Admiral Bloonbeard
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Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#1

Post by Admiral Bloonbeard » 24 Mar 2021, 05:12

Does anyone know where China got it’s oil sources during World War 2?

EwenS
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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#2

Post by EwenS » 24 Mar 2021, 10:06

Much of the fuel to keep US and Chinese air forces in the air was being flown in over the Hump in 1944/45. Bombers were being diverted to the task. B-29s and B-24/C-109s

At the beginning of April 1945 a pipeline was completed from northern India through Burma and into China. It connected with other pipelines all the way back to Calcutta, which was the main oil import point for the CBI theatre.

http://www.cbi-theater.com/fuel/abcpipeline.html


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Admiral Bloonbeard
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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#3

Post by Admiral Bloonbeard » 24 Mar 2021, 11:23

EwenS wrote:
24 Mar 2021, 10:06
Much of the fuel to keep US and Chinese air forces in the air was being flown in over the Hump in 1944/45. Bombers were being diverted to the task. B-29s and B-24/C-109s

At the beginning of April 1945 a pipeline was completed from northern India through Burma and into China. It connected with other pipelines all the way back to Calcutta, which was the main oil import point for the CBI theatre.

http://www.cbi-theater.com/fuel/abcpipeline.html
And how about before that?

EwenS
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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#4

Post by EwenS » 24 Mar 2021, 15:44

There was an oil field in western China out of Japanese reach that was expanded to produce 60k tons per year in 1944.
http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/Y/u/Yumen.htm

Perhaps it would be better to ask what the Chinese need for oil was in WW2 given the lack of mechanisation of its forces, no navy to speak of other than some river craft etc.

One indication of the lack of need is that in 1939 Shell, then one of the largest oil companies in the world which owned much of the Far East oil business pre-war, had 50+ subsidiaries spread across 20 provinces in China, but they operated only 1000 sales outlets to serve a Chinese population of 268m people. History of Shell here with some information about keeping open overland deliveries from India throughout the war.
https://www.shell.com.cn/en_cn/about-us ... ry2004.pdf

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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#5

Post by Admiral Bloonbeard » 24 Mar 2021, 21:52

EwenS wrote:
24 Mar 2021, 15:44
There was an oil field in western China out of Japanese reach that was expanded to produce 60k tons per year in 1944.
http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/Y/u/Yumen.htm

Perhaps it would be better to ask what the Chinese need for oil was in WW2 given the lack of mechanisation of its forces, no navy to speak of other than some river craft etc.

One indication of the lack of need is that in 1939 Shell, then one of the largest oil companies in the world which owned much of the Far East oil business pre-war, had 50+ subsidiaries spread across 20 provinces in China, but they operated only 1000 sales outlets to serve a Chinese population of 268m people. History of Shell here with some information about keeping open overland deliveries from India throughout the war.
https://www.shell.com.cn/en_cn/about-us ... ry2004.pdf
Before the construction of the pipeline and after the fall of the Burma road, do you have statistics on Chinese oil imports? Numbers and exact sources are highly appreciated.

EwenS
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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#6

Post by EwenS » 25 Mar 2021, 00:33

I’ve been looking at oil production in WW2 for the last year or so but the kind of data you are seeking is proving elusive.

cstunts
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Re: Chinese oil sources during World War 2

#7

Post by cstunts » 16 Apr 2021, 01:23

Excellent background material with many archival sources referenced in Irvine Anderson's classic THE STANDARD VACUUM OIL COMPANY AND THE UNITED STATES EAST ASIA POLICY 1933-1941.
As one would expect, sources often mentioned are FRUS (Foreign Relations of the U.S.) series.

Additionally, I would guess that the splendid BDFA (British Documents on Foreign Affairs) series would very likely have just those sorts of statistics in their confidential reports.

The big multi-volume Jonker & van Zanden HISTORY OF ROYAL DUTCH SHELL might also have pertinent info.

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