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On February 12, 1954, Eagle Springs No. 1 in Nye County became Nevada's first commercial oil producer. The field eventually grew to 14 wells, each producing around 20,000 barrels per year by 1968. However, due to plummeting oil prices, most wells were shut in by 1986, with total production reaching 3.8 million barrels. It would take another 22 years and 100 dry holes before the next oil field was discovered.
Nevada's oil exploration history dates back to 1907 when the first well, drilled to 1,890 feet, came up dry. After several unsuccessful attempts, the Great Depression of the 1930s further slowed exploration efforts until activity picked up again in the 1950s.
