Michigan Oil & Gas
A detailed history of oil and gas production within the state.
The first commercial oil well was drilled in 1925 in Saginaw County. From there, Michigan quickly became a large oil and natural gas producer. Since 1925, over 47,300 wells have been drilled, with 14,000 of them still active and producing.
Revenue & Jobs Generated
Michigan has produced 17.6 billion dollars of crude oil and natural gas since 1925, which is continuously rising. This generated over 40 million dollars annually in taxes and fees for Michigan. The enormity of the operation also provides more than 10,000 industry-related jobs. In addition to tax revenues, the Michigan oil and gas industry has provided more than $550 million in revenues to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund since 1976. The fund has purchased and improved more than 135,000 acres of Public Park and recreation lands for Michigan residents and visitors.
Energy Storehouse
Michigan is the 17th largest petroleum producer in the United States. Over one billion barrels of crude oil and more than four trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been collected from Michigan since 1925. The potential storage capacity and vast pipelines built in the last nine decades have made Michigan an energy storehouse and supply hub for a large portion of the Northeast and Midwest states.
Michigan has been using hydraulic fracturing since 1952. Elk Township in Lake County was the first reported location to use such technology. Since then, Michigan has continued to strive to be at the forefront of technological advances.
Further information on the rich and abundant history of Michigan oil and gas explorations can be found in the link below.