First Oil Well
The First Oil Well in Azerbaijan: Birthplace of the Global Oil Industry
Azerbaijan occupies a unique and globally significant place in the history of the petroleum industry. Long before oil became the backbone of modern industrial economies, the land around the Absheron Peninsula was already known for its natural oil seepages, used for centuries in medicine, construction, and lighting. However, the true industrial era of oil began in Azerbaijan with the world’s first mechanically drilled oil well.
The World’s First Industrial Oil Well (1846)
In 1846, the first industrial oil well was drilled in the Bibi-Heybat area near Baku, within present-day Azerbaijan. This historic well was drilled using a percussion method to a depth of approximately 21 meters, predating Edwin Drake’s famous oil well in Pennsylvania by 13 years.
This event marked a turning point in energy history. For the first time, oil was extracted in a systematic, industrial manner rather than collected from surface seepages or shallow hand-dug pits. As a result, Azerbaijan is widely recognized as the cradle of the modern oil industry.
From Local Resource to Global Energy Hub
Following the success of the Bibi-Heybat well, oil production in the Baku region expanded rapidly during the second half of the 19th century. By the 1870s–1890s, Baku had transformed into one of the world’s most important oil centers, producing more oil than any other region globally at that time.
Major international entrepreneurs and engineers were drawn to Azerbaijan, including the Nobel Brothers, whose investments introduced advanced refining, transportation, and safety practices. Their work in Baku laid the foundations for modern petroleum engineering, pipeline systems, and tanker transport.
Strategic Importance in the 20th Century
Azerbaijan’s oil industry continued to play a critical role throughout the 20th century. During World War II, Baku oil fields supplied a significant portion of the fuel required by the Soviet Union, underlining the region’s strategic and geopolitical importance.
The legacy of this early innovation continues today. Azerbaijan remains a key energy producer, with offshore developments in the Caspian Sea and modern infrastructure that builds on nearly two centuries of oil and gas expertise.
A Lasting Legacy
The first oil well drilled in Azerbaijan is more than a historical milestone—it represents the beginning of a global transformation. From the lamps that once lit ancient cities to the complex energy systems of the modern world, Azerbaijan’s early contribution to oil production reshaped economies, technologies, and societies worldwide.
Today, the story of the 1846 Bibi-Heybat oil well stands as a testament to Azerbaijan’s pioneering role in energy history and its enduring influence on the global oil and gas industry.
