OIL AND GAS IN OHIO
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Ohio lays claim to the first discovery of oil from a drilled well. In 1814, two men drilled 475 feet in search of salt in Olive Township of Noble County. They cursed when a black liquid oozed into the pit. In 1859, the first commercial well in the United States was completed in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Colonel Drake. Ohio’s first commercial oil and gas well was put into production in 1860 at Macksburg in Washington County. From 1860 through 2012, over 275,000 wells have drilled in Ohio, ranking it fourth nationally behind Texas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Ohio’s oil and gas wells are located in both rural areas and highly populated residential areas of the state. Forty-nine (49) of Ohio’s 88 counties currently produce natural gas and crude oil.
Since its early days, oil and natural gas production has played a key role in Ohio’s industrial development. Ohio’s oil and gas industry includes independent producers, landowners, geologists, drillers, contractors, engineers, attorneys, accountants, and many others in allied fields. This vital industry employs thousands of local people throughout the state.
Though the natural gas and crude oil produced in Ohio is not enough to meet the States total consumption requirements, its impact on Ohio’s economy is significant in helping to meet our energy needs. Ohio oil and natural gas production annually pays out millions of dollars in royalties to Ohio landowners and farmers, which contributes significantly to the reserve base of local economies and local school districts.
Ohio’s oil and gas producers truly are Ohio’s energy farmers. Because they choose to participate in a high-risk business, they are used to working long hours and operating under adverse conditions. Innovation, perseverance, and plain hard work are key to their survival in an industry built on uncertain conditions – geologic, operational, and economic.
Ohio Historical ‘Firsts’ Facts
• First U.S. discovery of crude oil from a drilled well was in 1814, Noble County, Ohio.
• First year of Ohio commercial crude oil production was in 1860.
• First year of Ohio commercial natural gas production was in 1884.
• First offshore drilling rig in the U.S. was in 1891, over the Mercer County, Ohio, Reservoir. At that time, this was largest man-made lake in the country.
In unit 1, you took the OOGEEP Olympic Energy Quiz to find out what you know about oil and gas energy. After going through the course, let’s see how you did now. Be sure to record your answer. Click here to take the quiz.
Click here to explore the “Oil and Gas Careers in Ohio Series” career guide.
Below are additional educational resources and activities for this unit.