ASSESSMENT OF PETROLEUM POTENTIAL IN LATIN AMERICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T01018A000200060002-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 15, 2001
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 2, 1956
• Content Type: MEMO

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CENTRAL INTELLIGENGE AGENCY
Geography Division, ORR
Project Initiation Memorandum
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To: Chief, Geographic Research
Pro je Ct Np e 6 bo llt?0
Froms Chief, f3eogrraphy Division Dates 2 October 1956
1. Subject of Proposed Project: Assessment of Petroleum Potential in
Latin Acaerica.
2. Statement of Problem: (Outline attached)
To determine: a. ~iow much oil is presently being produced in Latin
America; b. the proven and estimated reserves; and c. the extent to which
these reserves can be utilized in the near futurep
3.
Requesters Self-initiated.
25X1 A
1te
Responsible Anslyst:
Western Hemisphere Branch
5a
8ind and E~-tent of Cooperation Desired from:
b.
c. Other parts of CTA: CIA Library, Industrial Register, Graphics
Register, and Materials 'Division, ORR
d. Outside CTA: Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce;
Library of Congress Facilities; and Departmc~t of ~~~,~
Petroleum Staff No cWANC~ ttu CLASS. ^
D OECUISS{FIED
6. Estimated Man Hours: 1$0 professional hours cl.ASS. CWANf3ED To: Ts s c
NEXT REVIEW DATE:
T. Probable Completion Elates Novgnber 1956
AUTW: WR 70.2
DAT
E: REVIEWER: 8514
$. Probable Form of Final Publication: d. G ~~ ~ C''
9a Comments: A shorter deadline would be desirable because of the current
interest 3.n world petroleum resources (due to the Middle East crises), but
the time alremdy committed to other woris and the complexity of the subject
dictate the November deadline.
25X1A
25X1A
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O~,itline for Project b6.11t70: Assessment of Petroleum Potential in Latin America
I. Latin American Petroleum: Summary and conclusions based on more detailed
information in body of report. Essential questions to be answered:
How much oil is recently being produced (actual amount and share of
world production; what are the proven reserves: can these reserves be
utilized in the near future?
It. For each oil-producing country:
A. Brief resume' of the deve].optoent of the petroleum industry.
Z's it well established or a new development? i~iho started it--U.S.,
other foreign, or native co~epaniea; what companies?
B. How much oil has been produced in the past and how much now?
i. e., current rate of production. Actual mount and share of
world production.
C? Estimated future prodnetions estimated and proven reserves;
ability to utilize these reserves.
D. Refineries: How maw, curr~t rate of production; capacity;
plans !or building new refineries and//or e~ansion of current
facilities.
Eo Market: Domestic--present std future requirements; foreign--
U.S. and/or other.
Approved For Release 2001/04/12 : vGF,p-RDR79T0:10~8A~~0200060002-5