P.M. BRIEFING : ’88 Calif. Crude Oil Output Off 3%

California crude oil production declined by 3% in 1988 to continue a decline begun in 1986, the state Department of Conservation reported today. Production of land and offshore oil fields totaled 388 million barrels, contrasted with 397 million barrels in 1987, said Supervisor M. G. Mefferd of the department’s Division of Oil and Gas. He attributed the decline to continued instability in crude oil prices. Oil production was 407.3 million barrels in 1986 and 423.9 million in 1985.