The correct sequence that traces the development of the petroleum industry in Texas during World War II is:
- Oil discoveries in the Permian Basin
- German U-boats sink U.S. oil tankers off the eastern seacoast
- Construction of the Big Inch and Little Inch pipelines
- Texas oil production increases to 500,000 barrels per day
This order reflects the initial discovery of oil that spurred development, the need for increased transportation of oil due to attacks on oil tankers, the subsequent construction of pipelines to facilitate that transportation, and finally the increase in oil production as a result of these developments.
So the response would be: oil discoveries in the Permian Basin, German U-boats sink U.S. oil tankers off the eastern seacoast, construction of the Big Inch and Little Inch pipelines, Texas oil production increases to 500,000 barrels per day.