First Dry Hole

by | Aug 26, 2026 | Petroleum Technology

America’s first unsuccessful well drilled for oil achieved many petroleum industry “firsts.”

 

Modern oil and natural gas exploration and production technologies began with 19th-century wells drilled in northwestern Pennsylvania. Just four days after America’s first commercial oil well, a second attempt nearby resulted in the first “dry hole” for the new U.S. petroleum industry.

Edwin L. Drake drilled the first U.S. oil well specifically seeking oil on August 27, 1859, at Titusville, Pennsylvania. His historic feat included inventing the method of driving a pipe downhole to protect the integrity of the wellbore. The former railroad conductor borrowed a kitchen water pump to produce the first barrel of oil.

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This Week in Petroleum History, August 24 – 30

by | Aug 24, 2026 | This Week in Petroleum History

August 24, 1892 – “Prophet of Spindletop” founds Oil Exploration Company –

Patillo Higgins, who would become known as the “Prophet of Spindletop,” founded the Gladys City Oil, Gas & Manufacturing Company and leased 2,700 acres near Beaumont, Texas. Higgins believed oil-bearing sands could be found a few miles south of town. Most earth science experts said he was wrong.

A self-taught geologist, Higgins had noticed oil and natural gas seeps at Spindletop Hill while taking his Sunday school class on picnics. He later supervised the planning of Gladys City, which he named for his favorite student. (more…)

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