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Before the Texan Boom of 1901, Baku extracted oil for lighting kerosene. Spindletop, in the USA, gushed 100 thousand barrels/day and revolutionized the industry.
The first oil well in the world was drilled in 1847 in Baku, present-day Azerbaijan, on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The region produced 90% of global oil in 1860, supplying the demand for kerosene. But in 1901, in Texas, history changed: the Spindletop well gushed 100 thousand barrels/day, catapulting the USA to world leadership and starting the automobile era.
Baku: First Oil Well in the World
In 1847, Baku was already extracting oil from surface reserves to produce kerosene, used in lamps. With rudimentary techniques, the region peaked at 24 thousand barrels/year in the 1860s. Massive exploration attracted European investors, including the Nobel brothers, who modernized the infrastructure. Today, Baku remains relevant as a natural gas hub.
Spindletop (1901): The Well That Gushed for 9 Days and Changed the World
In January 1901, engineer Anthony Lucas drilled a well in Spindletop, Texas, using an innovative solution: mud casing to stabilize the walls. At a depth of 400 meters, the oil gushed to a height of 25 meters, flowing at a rate of 100 thousand barrels/day — more than the entire global production at the time. The accident led to the first “Christmas tree” (pressure control system), which is still a standard today.
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While Baku dominated the 19th century, Spindletop propelled the USA as a petroleum power. By 1902, Texas was already producing 17 million barrels/year, compared to 11 million from Baku. The discovery boosted giants like Texaco, Mobil, and Gulf Oil, and enabled Henry Ford’s automotive industry.
Techniques of 1847 vs. 1901: The Evolution of Drilling
The first oil well in the world in Baku used manual excavation, limited to a few dozen meters. Spindletop, on the other hand, introduced:
- Diamond rotary bits;
- Bentonite mud casing;
- Real-time pressure control.
Baku and Spindletop are milestones of the oil era. While Azerbaijan initiated commercial exploration, Texas scaled it to industrial levels. Today, both regions symbolize the energy transition: Baku invests in gas, while Texas invests in shale oil.
Sempre questionei a propaganda de que o Coronel Drake tivesse a fama de perfurar o primeiro poço comercial, numa tentativa clara de ofuscar a histórica produção de Baku, que já vinha desde o século 12, segundo relatos de viagem de Marco Polo. Dizer que a produção mundial de petróleo começou nos Estados Unidos da América é mais uma de tantas apropriações indevidas.