This Day in History (1974): Annual review of operations, ‘Aramco 1973,’ out this week

From the April 17, 1974, edition of The Arabian Sun

Oil production by the Arabian American Oil Company (Aramco) showed a continuing increase through the first nine months of 1973, but the cutbacks resulting from the October war in the Middle East slowed the pace of production during the final quarter.

Total crude oil production for the year was 2,677,146,337 barrels, according to statistics presented in the annual review Aramco 1973, just released by the company. Production averaged 7,558,987 barrels daily during the first nine months, but the subsequent reductions had the effect of lowering the year’s average daily output to 7,334,647 barrels.

The report cites estimated probable crude oil reserves of 164,520 million barrels as of the end of the year. This figure includes proved reserves of 96,922 million barrels.

Three oil fields were discovered in 1973, including Maharah, a new offshore field located in the Arabia Gulf between the Zuluf and Marjan fields, and two offshore fields, Qirdi and Abu Jifan in the southwest portion of the concession area.

Exploration activities continued in 1973 with five seismic parties conducting further surveys in the central, northern, and western part of the concession area and the costal area. Seismic crews operating in the vast desert area of the Rub’ al-Khali, or Empty Quarter, were supported by large helicopters to transport crews and equipment.

Caption for top photo: Of Aramco’s total 13,001 work force in Saudi Arabia, 10,238, or 79 percent, were Saudi employees or apprentices. Of the total 738 supervisory positions, nearly 300 were filled by Saudis, an increase of 18.3 percent over last year in this category in office and field operations.

Also on this date

2021 — The funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, takes place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle

2014 — NASA's Kepler space telescope confirms the discovery of the first Earth—size planet in the habitable zone of another star

2011 — "Game of Thrones", based on the fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin premieres on HBO

1971 — The Provisional Government of Bangladesh is formed

1970 — Paul McCartney releases his 1st solo album "McCartney"

1945 — Historian Tran Trong Kim is appointed the Prime Minister of the Empire of Vietnam

1907 — The Ellis Island immigration center in New York processes 11,747 people, more than on any other day

1895 — The Treaty of Shimonoseki between China and Japan is signed. This marks the end of the First Sino—Japanese War

1492 — Spain and Christopher Columbus sign the Capitulations of Santa Fe for his voyage to Asia to acquire spices

1387 — According to scholars Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" characters begin their pilgrimage to Canterbury