A History of Ohio’s Natural Energy Industry

1814

North America’s first oil-producing well is drilled in Noble County, the Thorla-McKee Well.

1860

First commercial oil well drilled in Macksburg, Washington County.

1870

Standard Oil Company was assembled in Cleveland by J.D. Rockefeller. Cleveland became known as the predominant oil-producing, refining, transporting, and marketing region. The impact of Standard Oil is still prevalent in the national energy industry today through successor companies like ExxonMobile, Chevron, BP, and Marathon.

1884

First natural gas well drilled for commercial production in Findlay, Ohio.

1887

The Ohio Oil Company, now known as Marathon, was founded in Lima.

1887

America’s first offshoring drilling operations take place on platforms above the waters of Grand Lake St. Marys in Mercer County.

1890s

Ohio was the nation’s oil production leader until the 1920s.

1940s

Horizontal drilling technology is discovered.

1947

Hydraulic fracturing technology is introduced.

1947

Ohio Oil and Gas Association is founded.

1990

Digital and 3-D seismic technology begins.

1998

The Ohio Natural Energy Institute is established to educate people about the importance of homegrown, natural made Ohio energy.

2010

Combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling unlock shale energy, launching the Shale Revolution. This reestablished Ohio’s role as an energy leader. Our state now is a top producer of natural energy in the United States, proudly making the essential energy that makes life better.