American Petroleum Institute history

1928 First oil discovery using reflection seismography.

In 1930, these efforts expanded to include state governments.

In 1937, chemists discovered a new advance in refining, the catalytic cracker.

Saudi Arabian oil was first discovered by the Americans in commercial quantities in 1938 at Dammam Oil Well No.

Due to the tremendous increase in natural gas and oil consumption after World War II, petroleum supplied more of our nation’s energy than coal for the first time in 1946.

1947 First offshore oil well out of sight of land.

On March 17, 1949, a team of experts converge on an oil well about 12 miles east of Duncan, Oklahoma – and make history by performing the first commercial application of hydraulic fracturing.

On February 20, 1959, after a three-week voyage, the Methane Pioneer – the world’s first liquefied natural gas tanker – safely arrives at the world’s first LNG terminal at Canvey Island, England, from Lake Charles, Louisiana, initiating commercial LNG shipping.

1960 The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) founded.

1963 3-D seismic technology developed.

A 19th century petroleum product – kerosene – made petroleum history when it fueled the first stage of the Saturn V rocket that carries Apollo 11 to the moon, where astronaut Neil Armstrong announced on July 20, 1969, “Houston, Tranquility Base here.

In 1973, United States dependence on foreign oil – and the danger it created – was made clear when the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to embargo shipments of oil to the United States, causing shortages and raising energy costs.

Following the OAPEC embargo, Congress passed the EPCA in December of 1975 in an attempt to stifle the impact of future oil embargos by foreign oil producing countries.

By 1995, 75% of United States onshore surveys use 3-D seismic imaging.

In 1997, Mitchell Energy performed the first slickwater frack.

2005 Dawn of the United States shale energy revolution.

United States oil production started to rise in 2008, and the next seven years marked the fastest oil production increase in United States history.

2015 Congress lifts 40-year ban on oil exports.