INTRODUCTION
Born through dedication and stubbornness, the oil and gas industry in Texas has become an economic powerhouse that delivers jobs and prosperity to millions of people throughout the world.
The story of petroleum is written in the heartaches of failure as well as the excitement of success.
It is a story of drilling a hole deep beneath the Earth with the hope of producing hydrocarbons. The history of petroleum is controversial, but over time the value of crude oil and natural gas became important as a transportation fuel, electric power generation and so much more.
U.S. military forces used oil and gas to win World War I and II. Great Britain Prime Minister Winston Churchill proclaimed that the "Allies floated to victory on a sea of East Texas oil." Nations used the "oil weapon" in the 1970s in an attempt to influence U.S. foreign policy.
This is a story of an unconventional industry that has used unconventional technology and delivered unconventional results. It is a story of risk takers that have achieved greatness.
Alex Mills
President and Chief of Staff
Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
