The Oil Boom © Tara Fountain

What is oil and how is it created? Warm-Up : What is oil and how is it created?

How is oil created? Oil or petroleum is viscous black liquid used as a fuel source; it is created by the remains of organic matter (dead plants/animals) under pressure over thousands of years.

Name 3 ways we use oil each day? Think about it : How do we use it? Name 3 ways we use oil each day?

Step 1 On your note sheet, choose Which products are created from oil Color printing inks are made primarily with linseed oil, soybean oil, or a heavy petroleum distillate as the solvent (called the vehicle) combined with organic pigments.

Benefits of having oil Analyze the photo below. Use the T-Chart on your note sheet to compare 19th century troubles with 20th century comforts.

Fill in the blank on the note sheet as we read through the power point Step 2 cloze Notes Fill in the blank on the note sheet as we read through the power point

The Oil Industry in Texas Railroads began using oil for fuel in the 1880’s, which increased the demand for the fossil fuel. Pennsylvania was the first state to produce American Oil in 1859 Seven years later Melrose Petroleum Oil Company drilled Texas’s first successful oil well in Nacogdoches but it wasn’t a long term success. In 1894 a major reserve in Corsicana was tapped creating the first major oil supply in the state. This discovery encouraged drilling across East Texas. On January 10, 1901, Anthony Lucas hit the largest oil reserve the world had ever seen at Spindletop. The discovery at Spindletop began the first of many oil booms in Texas.

Effects of the spindletop discovery The large number of wells at Spindletop caused over-drilling to occur. Spindletop wells went from producing nearly 50,000 barrels per day to about 10,000 barrels per day in just 2 years. By this time Spindletop had already made it’s name in history. The Spindletop oil boom led to the creation of over 600 oil companies, including Texaco, Gulf, and Mobil. Oil replaced lumber as the leading Texas industry and oil companies produced millions of gallons per year. By providing a new source of inexpensive, efficient fuel, Oil changed the future for transportation and for industries.

The Oil Boom after Spindletop The oil boom of the 1920’s & 1930’s caused rapid growth in Texas and rural areas were out run with oil derricks. In 1901 a flour milling company started using oil as a fuel source to run its machinery and soon after other mills started doing the same. As the drilling for oil increased, boomtowns developed around the successful wells, which caused crowded noisy conditions. Crime, diseases and a lack of safe drinking water were major concerns during this time. Towns developed so quickly there wasn’t time for adequate development of water and sewer systems which caused dysentery, typhoid fever and other diseases. Lack of sewage and drainage systems, along with frequent rainstorms made mud a huge problem too.

Impact of oil Trucks, cars, and buses people use everyday are powered by oil products such as gasoline and diesel. Many of the plastic and rubber products in our homes and classrooms are made from oil-based chemicals. In the 1920’s chemists learned how to remove chemicals from petroleum to make everyday household items, which started the petrochemical industry. During World War II chemicals were used to make explosives and synthetic rubber for tires. Petrochemicals provided important benefits throughout the world but their production raised environmental concerns because the processes used to separate the chemicals from oil created large amounts of toxic waste. Oil impacted Texas Education as well. Money from the sale or lease of oil fields helped fund universities in Texas. Since the discovery at Spindletop, oil has had a major impact in Texas and throughout the world.

The Oil Boom after Spindletop continued… The oil discoveries created a demand for new industries and businesses. Refineries were built near oil fields to make the oil usable for industry. Companies built pipelines to connect their refineries to distant oil fields. The Humble Oil and Refining Company (later Exxon Mobil) built the largest refinery on the Gulf Coast. After Spindletop the search for oil spread and wildcatter’s made discoveries all over Texas. The Great Depression hit and oil prices dropped tremendously. Texas Railroad Commission had to regulate the amount of oil that producers could supply. Because Texas was the world’s leading producer of oil, slight changes in production levels were felt world wide. The more oil Texas produced, the lower the prices dropped. The less oil Texas produced, the higher the prices rose. The changes in oil prices had major effects on the automobile industry, shipping costs, travel and many other areas of life.

Step 3 Use the flow chart to answer the following questions According to the title, what is the flow chart about? What step follows the location for underground oil being identified? What is the function of the derrick?