NEBRASKA JOINS THE OIL PRODUCING RANKS
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 29, 2026 NEBRASKA JOINS THE OIL PRODUCING RANKS On May 29, 1940, the Bucholz No. 1 well near Falls City officially became Nebraska’s first commercial oil producer. Drilled by the Pawnee Royalty Company, the well struck oil at a depth of about 2,200 feet and initially produced 170 barrels per […]
THE MEXICAN OIL STRIKE OF 1936
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 28, 2026 THE MEXICAN OIL STRIKE OF 1936 On May 28, 1936, the Syndicate of Petroleum Workers of the Mexican Republic (STPRM) launched a massive nationwide strike against the foreign oil companies operating within the country. This labor action effectively paralyzed the industry, as workers demanded better wages and social […]
SINCLAIR OIL INTRODUCES ITS FAMOUS DINOSAUR LOGO
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 27, 2026 SINCLAIR OIL INTRODUCES ITS FAMOUS DINOSAUR LOGO On May 27, 1933, the Sinclair Oil Corporation made marketing history by unveiling a massive dinosaur exhibit at the Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago. The display featured two-ton animated models, most notably the gentle Brontosaurus that would become the […]
THE MASJED SOLEYMAN OIL STRIKE IN PERSIA
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 26, 2026 THE MASJED SOLEYMAN OIL STRIKE IN PERSIA On May 26, 1908, the global energy landscape shifted forever when an exploratory well at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia struck a massive column of oil. Led by engineer George Reynolds and financed by the persistent William Knox D’Arcy, the crew […]
SANTA RITA NO. 1 REVEALS THE PERMIAN BASIN
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 25, 2026 SANTA RITA NO. 1 REVEALS THE PERMIAN BASIN On May 25, 1923, the Santa Rita No. 1 wildcat well in West Texas showed its first signs of oil and natural gas, forever changing the trajectory of American energy. Located on University of Texas land in Reagan County, the […]
THE TOMBALL OIL FIELD DISCOVERY WELL COMPLETED
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 22, 2026 THE TOMBALL OIL FIELD DISCOVERY WELL COMPLETED On May 22, 1933, the Humble and Magnolia No. 1 J.F.W. Kobs well was completed, marking the official discovery of the Tomball oil field in Harris County, Texas. This prolific well initially tested at an impressive 1,656 barrels of oil per […]
STANDARD OIL INTRODUCES THE ICONIC “ESSO” BRANDING
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 21, 2026 STANDARD OIL INTRODUCES THE ICONIC “ESSO” BRANDING On May 21, 1923, Standard Oil of New Jersey officially began using the name “Esso” to market its petroleum products and lubricants. The name was a clever phonetic play on the initials “S” and “O,” representing the company’s roots in the […]
THE LEGACY OF CANADIAN OIL PIONEER FRANK MCMAHON
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 20, 2026 THE LEGACY OF CANADIAN OIL PIONEER FRANK MCMAHON On May 20, 1986, the energy industry lost a visionary with the passing of Frank McMahon in Hamilton, Bermuda. A titan of Canadian petroleum, McMahon was the driving force behind the founding of Pacific Petroleums Ltd. and the Westcoast Transmission […]
THE DISCOVERY OF THE LIMA OILFIELD IN OHIO
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 19, 2026 THE DISCOVERY OF THE LIMA OILFIELD IN OHIO On May 19, 1885, Benjamin Faurot struck oil in northwest Ohio, leading to the discovery of the Lima Oilfield. This discovery transformed the region into one of the most productive oil hubs of the late 19th century, eventually outproducing all […]
THE GREAT GAS OPENING
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY May 18, 2026 THE GREAT GAS OPENING On May 18, 2001, Saudi Arabia marked a historic shift in its energy strategy by selecting eight international majors to lead its massive “Gas Initiative.” Industry giants like ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP were brought in to spearhead developments worth billions, representing the first major […]