A production target of 1.34 million tons a year is followed by a quoted average of 1.5 million tons during 1940-44. Average consumption is described as exceeding production by roughly 26,000 tons a year. Stores and supplies obtained elsewhere are offered as ways that gap was met. These figures do not establish a plentiful surplus for a larger fleet. The proposed advantage is that a navy using one fuel could allocate it between operations without waiting for a particular mix of diesel and heavy fuel oil. Concentrating on diesel from the mid-1930s is also expected to create a clearer case for expanding production.
Notable Point · 7:56-10:18
A common fuel pool would still face diesel shortages
The quoted fuel balance leaves little spare diesel, but a common supply would let the navy choose which ships to operate.