Historical Marker Program

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Healdton: Oklahoma's First State-Regulated Oil Field

Carter County
Location: on grounds of Healdton Oil Museum in Healdton
Coordinates: 34.233317, -97.480083
Material: Granite
Sponsor(s): Oklahoma Historical Society/Oklahoma Petroleum Council
Topics: Early Statehood, 1907–1941; Government; Petroleum

Production of crude oil from the Healdton Field in 1913 flooded the market with an oversupply of petroleum. In response, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ordered the pipeline carrier to increase purchases of produced oil, provide facilities for rail shipment, and build field tankage. The pipeline was also ordered to purchase oil ratably and equitably from Healdton producers. The order resulting in the proration of oil purchases made Healdton the first field in Oklahoma to be regulated by a state commission. This strategy was a forerunner of petroleum conservation laws to prevent waste.