Black gold, more commonly known as oil, is found in naturally occurring locations around the world. For hundreds of states, countries, provinces, and regions; oil is historically a huge source of income as oil is used to create gasoline, diesel, plastics, kerosene, and much more. Natural gas is also a naturally occurring substance with a limited number of available locations found throughout the globe, and also is non-renewable. It is used as a very common source of energy including heating cooking, electricity, fuel, chemicals, plastics, and more. Oil and natural gas have a lot in common, but nothing more so than they can be both found in great supply in Oklahoma. The state has a rich history with both oil and natural gas, and still contributes to their modern economy.
Oil Found in Oklahoma
In a mine originally built to find sources of salt, Louis Ross found the first oil well in Oklahoma in 1859. This discovery was nearly 50 years before Oklahoma was officially declared a state, and was originally found in Native American territory. Oil fields quickly sprouted up throughout the landscape of Oklahoma, and many communities were established based solely on oil production. The promise of oil and its encompassing profits lead to an increase of settlers and overall population in nearby territories. Had Ross been successful in finding his originally intended salt mine, the outcome would have still been profitable. However, his discovery led to a multibillion dollar industry for the entire state of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Oil Today
Over the years the oil industry has grown by leaps and bounds in the state of Oklahoma. Today, Oklahoma ranks fifth among states in oil production rates, and 3rd in overall natural gas production. The generated income for Oklahoma is overwhelming at over$15.4 billion a year. The state of Oklahoma itself consumes nearly a quarter of Oklahoma’s natural gas production, the rest is sent via pipeline through surrounding states such as Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri. Oil production locations in Oklahoma are known as the SCOOP, or the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province. The oil industry in Oklahoma continues to increase, and has seen larger oil reserves and continues to develop projects related to locally found oil.
Oklahoma City Oil Field
Oklahoma City Oil Field is famous among the oil industry as one of the world’s largest petroleum fields. The site is in Oklahoma City and includes drill sites near state government buildings and even near the Oklahoma state Capitol itself. This well, which has produced over 1 billion barrels of oil, is approximately 12 miles by 4 miles in total area. Historically, the site itself caused quite a stir upon discovery; it was discovered in an urban area and city ordinances had to be passed to limit drilling locations as well as within certain timeframes. Many legal challenges and violations of the ordinance followed, which eventually led to Governor William H Murray declaring martial law around the oil wells in 1932 and 1933, causing great controversy. The Oklahoma City Oil Field is found on the northeast edge of the Anadarko basin, the entirety of which has been prominent source of oil and natural gas.