ABSTRACT
In 1939, approximately 70% of the refineries of the noncommunist world were resource-orientated, and only 30% were situated near the markets. The present trend in the oil industry is, however, to locate the refineries nearer the consumption centres. Economically, the advantages derived from the economics of scale of the large refineries are to be balanced against the high cost of distribution of oil products when these are supplied from refineries far away from the marketing centres. From the crude refining method the refiners then employed, about 70% of the production was kerosene, but its production also necessitated the production of motor spirit, which was volatile and inflammable, and without much use. The progress of refining technology, in response to these shifts in demand, is helping to restore the balance, but at the same time is also preparing the ground for new types of imbalance. Crudes also differ in their sulphur content and waxy nature.
