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History of Gulf

At 10.30 a.m. on January 10th, 1901, the world's first high volume oil well roared into history. Flowing an estimated 100,000 barrels of oil per day it put Gulf at the forefront of what was to become the global oil industry. The Lucas Gusher or Spindletop, as it became known, marked the beginning of a new age for the world - The Petroleum Age - as well as laying the foundation on which the Gulf Oil Corporation was built. The successful exploration and production which began over a century ago marked the beginning of a corporate culture of progress and excellence which continues in the Gulf Oil business to this day.
		Gulf has pioneered new technologies, not least in carrying out the world's first over-water drilling operation in 1910 and creation of the world's first commercial catalytic cracking process in 1918. Gulf also became a champion of the consumer from that historic day in 1913 when the company opened the world's first drive through gas station. In recent times the company pioneered the technique of Aerial seismology and has gone on to explore for uranium and discover gas in the North Sea.A monument on the site of the Lucas Gusher is more than a monument to Lucas or Spindletop. It is a tribute to the Petroleum Industry.
On its side cut in eternal Texas granite is the story of oil. "Petroleum has revolutionized industry and transportation; it has created untold wealth, built cities, furnished employment for hundreds of thousands and contributed billions of dollars in taxes to support institutions of government. In a brief span of years, it has altered man's way of life throughout the world."

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