A History Of Oil And Gas Well Blowouts In California

A blowout, defined as the uncontrolled flow of formation fluids from a well bore, is one of the most dramatic of all oilfield events. Fortunately, blowouts are rare occurrences today. This report summarizes the history of oil and gas-well blowouts in California between 1950 and 1990. Tables provide information such as the ratio of blowouts to wells drilled, and tabulations of wells drilled and producing in California. Blowout information includes: date, operator, field, well and cause, fire, substance, injuries, and the causes of the blowouts. Glossary of terms.

Includes many advertisements from oil companies and brokers operatiing in California in 1900.

In light of the importance of oil and gas in California, perhaps the discovery of gold there should be viewed as just a flash in the pan. By 1938, the cumulative value of all the gold found in the state stood at something more than two billion dollars, while the cumulative value of the oil and gas produced was more than double that sum--well over five billion dollars. The story of California oil deserves to be told, and pictures tell it best.