FIRST OIL DISCOVERY IN KANSAS (USA)
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY November 28, 2025 FIRST OIL DISCOVERY IN KANSAS (USA) On November 28, 1892, drillers brought in the Norman No. 1 well in eastern Kansas, marking the first commercial oil discovery west of the Mississippi River. What began as a small drilling venture quickly became a major milestone that unlocked the Mid-Continent […]
VIETNAM’S OIL INDUSTRY TAKES SHAPE
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY November 27, 2025 VIETNAM’S OIL INDUSTRY TAKES SHAPE On November 27, 1961, Vietnam established its first dedicated petroleum exploration unit, known as the Oil Exploration Brigade. This marked the beginning of the country’s national oil and gas industry, setting the stage for decades of exploration and production. The formation of the […]
REFLECTION SEISMOGRAPHY USED TO LOCATE OILFIELD
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 4, 2025 REFLECTION SEISMOGRAPHY USED TO LOCATE OILFIELD The oil industry took a major leap forward on December 4, 1928, when Amerada Petroleum Corporation made the first commercial oil discovery using reflection seismography near Seminole, Oklahoma. Instead of relying on surface clues or pure luck, geologists could now “see” beneath […]
PEMEX STARTS IXTOC I DRILLING
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 10, 2025 PEMEX STARTS IXTOC I DRILLING On December 10, 1978, PEMEX began drilling the Ixtoc I exploratory well in the Bay of Campeche, Gulf of Mexico. The well represented Mexico’s ambitious push into deepwater exploration, aiming to tap the region’s significant oil reserves. The Ixtoc I well later experienced […]
PATILLO HIGGINS, THE PROPHET OF SPINDLETOP
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 5, 2025 PATILLO HIGGINS, THE PROPHET OF SPINDLETOP On December 5, 1863, Pattillo Higgins was born in Beaumont, Texas. A self-taught geologist and visionary businessman, Higgins became known as the “Prophet of Spindletop” for his unshakable belief that oil lay beneath Spindletop Hill—despite widespread skepticism from experts of his time. […]
THE BHOPAL GAS DISASTER
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 3, 2025 THE BHOPAL GAS DISASTER On December 3, 1984, the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India suffered a catastrophic gas leak, releasing methyl isocyanate into the surrounding community. The disaster claimed thousands of lives and left hundreds of thousands injured, marking it as one of the worst industrial […]
ROOSEVELT MOBILIZES AMERICA’S OIL FOR WAR
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 2, 2025 ROOSEVELT MOBILIZES AMERICA’S OIL FOR WAR On December 2, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Petroleum Administration for War (PAW) — a decisive move to coordinate America’s oil resources during World War II. Tasked with overseeing production, refining, and distribution, the agency ensured that Allied forces had […]
MAJOR OIL BOOM IN SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 9, 2025 MAJOR OIL BOOM IN SEMINOLE, OKLAHOMA On December 9, 1924, the discovery of the Bethel oilfield in the Greater Seminole region of Oklahoma by Amerada Petroleum sparked a major drilling boom. The find tapped a highly pressurized Wilcox sand, producing impressive flows that quickly drew attention from oilmen […]
THE FOUNDING OG NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 8, 2025 THE FOUNDING OG NATIONAL FUEL GAS COMPANY On December 8, 1902, the company that would become National Fuel Gas Company was incorporated, beginning its consolidation of natural gas interests across Pennsylvania. By uniting multiple gas fields and utility operations, the company laid the groundwork for a more organized […]
HAROLD HAMM’S LEGACY IN ENERGY
TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY December 11, 2025 HAROLD HAMM’S LEGACY IN ENERGY On December 11, 1945, Harold G. Hamm was born, later becoming a central figure in U.S. shale oil development. As founder of Continental Resources, Hamm spearheaded the growth of major shale plays, transforming America’s independent upstream oil sector. Hamm’s work advanced horizontal drilling […]