The Arctic is the latest accretion to the prospective petroliferous areas of the world which historically has grown in steps as new areas have come within reach through technical and economic breakthroughs.

The production of Arctic oil will depend on the effort expended. Historically, though total world oil supply and demand have increased smoothly and exponentially, individual country productions and demand have moved in steps as the effort expended has varied with the presence or absence of restrictions, self or externally imposed.

Resulting world oil supply patterns over the past 30 years have also shown some marked changes, some short, some longer lived.

North American Arctic oil, on presently indicated reserves, will be used in the United States. But what would the world supply pattern be in 1985 if the North American Arctic had proved to be equal to the Middle East in size of reserves?

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