Oil and Gas

November 16, 1907 On the Pipeline – 109 Years Ago: Oil-rich Oklahoma becomes the 46th state. Oklahoma territory and Indian Territory collectively entered the Union, becoming the 46th state, and one possibly most known for its oil and gas industry. However, Oklahoma was a well-known producer of oil before statehood. “Oklahoma oil history began when…

November 9, 1880 On the Pipeline – 136 Years Ago: Edwin “Colonel” Drake died Pioneering oilman Edwin “Colonel” Drake died. Drake famously drilled the first commercial oil near Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859.  It wasn’t long after Drake struck the black gold that the oil rush began in Pennsylvania. “Within a few years the…

October 18, 1867 On the Pipeline – 149 Years Ago: the US purchased Alaska. Though some called it Seward’s Folly it would prove in time to hold valuable resources. The United States formally took possession of Alaska after purchasing the 586,412 square miles of territory from Russia for $7.2 million. Even though it was called…

  September 23, 1933 Forming the Oil Giants of the Middle East Pipeline – 83 Years Ago: A group of geologists from Standard Oil breakup successor Standard Oil of California, which later became Chevron, arrived in Saudi Arabia after receiving a concession from the Saudi government that allowed them to explore for oil. After many…

August 27, 1859 Oil struck in Titusville, PA Edwin Drake struck oil in Titusville, Pennsylvania, becoming the first American to successfully drill a commercial oil well. Amidst onlookers and hecklers calling the effort “Drake’s Folly,” Drake’s crew drilled to a depth of 69.5 feet before reaching a crevice. The following day, oil was found rising…

August 21, 1897 The Growth of the auto industry contributes to the growth of the oil industry Contributions towards the Pipeline – 119 years ago: Olds Motor Works, which later became Oldsmobile, was founded by Ransom Eli Olds. According to the R.E. Olds Foundation, he “is considered by many to be the founder of the…

August 14, 1942 Providing fuel from Britain to the Allied forces in France On the Pipeline – 68 years ago: Production began on the Pipe-Lines Under the Ocean Project, otherwise known as “Operation Pluto,” with the aim of constructing a network of pipelines under the English Channel to provide fuel from Britain to Allied forces…