Geologic Past
GEOLOGIC PAST Highlighting Articles from Past Issues of GSA Bulletin “The Problem of Petroleum” Frederick G. Clapp, GSA Bulletin, March 1939 In an “Anniversary Day” address to the Society at its semicen- Clapp, was “how to produce and distribute the volume of tennial celebration in December 1938, Frederick G. Clapp tack- petroleum which is economically necessary at any given time” les “the problem of petroleum” with a global historical view of (p. 368). Clapp blames fl uctuations in the balance between the science of petroleum geology, an analysis of the economics supply and demand for price swings “between 10 and 20 cents of “over- or undersupply” (p. 370), and a call for scientifi c fore- per barrel” (p. 369)—perhaps a pittance given the present-day sight. His speech was published in GSA Bulletin in March 1939 economic situation, but still, a 100% variance. (v. 50, p. 361–374). Clapp emphasizes the fact, as is widely acknowledged today, First, Clapp addresses the question, “Who was the fi rst petro- that “there are only a certain number of possible oil-bearing leum geologist?” (p. 362). Clapp wisely States, as is likewise the case with argues that this person or persons foreign countries. Consequently, would not “be found among our fa- even if technique should advance to thers, uncles, or contemporary teach- an unlimited extent, new discoveries ers” (p. 362), but rather would have … will in time cease” (p. 369). Clapp lived at the edge of recorded history. also predicts that even if the United The fi rst petroleum geologist could States curtailed its consumption of have been a Chinese engineer, a Baby- oil products, other nations would in- lonian navigator, a general of Alexan- crease demand, “particularly the Asi- der the Great, or even Lot, the nephew atic countries, some of which have of Abraham.
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