The Trans-Arabian Pipe Line Company is one of hundreds of privately-owned companies competing for a share of the world's oil transportation business. As such, Tapline's primary function today is the transportation of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Sidon, Lebanon, by means of 30-31 inch pipeline.
   At Tapline's Sidon terminal, on the Mediterranean Sea, this oil is loaded aboard tankers that carry it to European and North and South American markets. Since 1955, deliveries also have been made from Tapline's terminal to the Mediterranean Refining Company (Medreco), south of the Sidon terminal.
   Tapline is owned by four major American companies in the following proportions:
Standard Oil Company of California .. .. 30 per cent
The Texas Company .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 per cent
Standard Oil Company (New Jersey) .. .. 30 per cent
Socony-Mobil Oil Company .. .. .. .. .. 10 per cent