For how long have humans been extracting crude oil?

Question

and refining it.. and all that, since when?

erhh i can guess the 50s, but i haven't found this info anywhere.

if you know, list your source please. thank you!

Answer 1

The Use of Crude oil has been around for centures (Used to be used as a laxative : blech)  Modern application however probably arrived in the early 20th century

Answer 2

Might be from part 150 years, but it is being exploited from part 30 years...

Answer 3

Most sources locate it to the Drake Well in Pennsylvania in 1859.

Actually the ancient Persians knew about crude mineral oil, and extracted it for use as a medicine, an adhesive, and for construction purposes.

Just do an internet search on "first oil well" to get lots of sources.

Answer 4

I believe the formal extraction methods started in Petrolia, Ontario, and then the technology spread to Pennsylvania in the U.S.A.

Check out the websites on Petrolia history and you will find a wealth of information there.

Prior to that natural deposits of oil and bitumen had been used for centuries by various cultures.

Answer 5

Extracting crude for refining into fuel (kerosene) has been going on for about 150 years.  Back then it was used for lantern light, heat and cooking fuel.  Today it is used for jet fuel.  Gasoline was a by product of the refining process.  It was sold as a cleaner and disinfectant until the internal combustion engine came along in the early 1900's

Answer 6

late 19th early 20th century.