May 17, 1979

Randolph, A Philip: 90 (L)

Illus of graduates, commencement ceremonies

Article on Texaco oil production and refining operations in Ecuador; Texaco is the only foreign producer in country, drilling in 2 Amazon reservoirs and in small offshore locations, with overall reserves estimated at 1.4 billion bbls; continued profitablity of operations is threatened by rise in domestic consumption, which has cut exports from 80% of production in '77 to 52% in 1st quarter of '79; domestic oil price, $1.84 a bbl, which keeps price of gasoline at 18c a gal, compared with export price of $20.36 demanded by CEPE, Government oil company and Texaco's partner in oil operations; cost of extracting oil has been rising as reservoir pressure falls; numerous contract reviews and renegotiations sought by Government drove Gulf Oil from Ecuador and have made it difficult for Ecuador to attract foreign companies; Rene Bucaram, Texaco district manager, comments; map of oilfields and refineries; graph of oil output '68 to '78 (M)

Article on workrooms and showrooms of fashion designers Perry Ellis and Bill Atkinson, NYC; Ellis's showroom and workroom was designed by James Terrell; Atkinson designed his own place; illus (M)

Paul Goldberger article on architect Frank Gehry's unconventional home in Los Angeles area; illus (M)