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WSPA Through the Years

In celebration of Western States Petroleum Association's 90^th anniversary, we have put together a brief list of the industry's most significant moments during the 20^th century.

Take a historical look at the petroleum industry in the west!

1903	California was top oil-producing state - Kern River field produced 17 million barrels, making it the nation's highest producing field.
1907	Los Angeles Chamber of Mines was born on April 8.
1910	Midway field's Lakeview gusher produced 9 million barrels over 18 months before collapsing.
1919	First state gasoline tax - Oregon adopted a one-cent per gallon tax. The average U.S. price for gasoline was 25.5 cents per gallon.
1921	California Mineral Leasing Act regulated offshore development and claimed all mineral rights to state lands and tidelands.
1924	California's Oil Pollution Act was passed prohibiting discharge of oil into sea and navigable waters. & Stock Market Crash
1931	Depression curtailed association activities while local governments sought higher permit fees to make ends meet.
1932	Name became California Oil and Gas Association & The first federal gasoline tax of one cent per gallon was levied.
1938	California State Lands Act permited offshore development with restrictions.
1941	U.S. entered World War II after Pearl Harbor Attack.
1942	Ellwood oil field was shelled - Japanese submarine fired on the Goleta field in the only attack on the continental U.S. in the history of the nation.
1943	Gasoline rationing began as refiners produced at capacity for the war effort.
1945	Name changed to Western Oil and Gas Association
1947	First electric collapsible rig began operation in San Fernando Valley.
1953	OCS Lands Act signed dividing authority between states and federal government at the three mile mark.
1954	First sound-proof derrick was installed in Ventura County. & First commercial well in Nevada was drilled.
1955	Arizona began oil production.
1957	Washington became oil producer when well is completed in Gray's Harbor County.
1960	OPEC founded in Baghdad.
1966	Federal Government began leasing in Santa Barbara Channel.
1967	Platform Hogan began operation in OCS waters off Santa Barbara.
1968	Oil discovered on Alaska's North Slope
1969	Santa Barbara oil spill inaugurated environmental activism.
1970	First 'Earth Day' was celebrated and federal environmental policy, water quality and clean air acts are signed.
1973	Oil embargo led to shortages, calls for price controls and energy conservation.
1975	Fuel efficiency standards required by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
1977	North Slope crude came to market.
1979	Iranian crisis sent oil prices soaring.
1980	First fully electrified platform was installed in Santa Barbara Channel.
1983	Congress approved drilling ban for one year along Southern California coast.
1986	Crude prices collapsed from about $22 to $6 a barrel.
1988	Name changed to WSPA, the Western States Petroleum Association.
1990	Federal reformulated gasoline was mandated by Clean Air Act amendments.
1992	Santa Barbara lease sales were shelved for five years.
1995	Federal RFG was introduced in 19 metropolitan areas.
1996	Mandated Cleaner-Burning Gasoline was introduced throughout California.

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