Bobrka Oil field view
Since the beginning of this year we have been reading quite a bit about one of the worlds declining finite natural resources – OIL. All the Dailies, News Channels flashed the breaking news of oil prices touching the new record high and it’s considered as an era of windfall earnings for oil economies.
World’s first street kerosene lamp
The very spigot of the word oil would relate our imagination to the Deserts of Gulf, as they are extensively known as Oil Producing Countries. Have we ever wondered once about the originality of this thick black liquid? Where did it map out first? Who was the person to trace these thick spots?
Well, here I present a brief write-up to highlight a few facts about this industry as a gesture of honour to all those working in this industry on their special day.
Ceramic containers
Where it all began:
It began in a village of Bobrka, which is located in the Podkarpacie region, 15kms from Krosno, Poland. It was not before the middle of the 19th century that Bobrka became something extraordinary, with a special appeal to people of energy and determination. Natural outflows of a thick black liquid were seen all over the area from the time immemorial.
It was not before 1854, Tytus Trzecieski, a philosopher, farmer, and miner by profession, and an owner of the Polanka estate got in contact with Ignacy Lukasiewicz. He presented Ignacy a sample of oil from Bobrka and was assured of its value. A company was set up by both of them and according to Szczesny Morawski, this is believed to be the world’s first oil field.
Janina
Bobrka oil field is still operating and some of the active wells date back to the times of Ignacy Lukasiewicz. Two of the active wells names are Franek and Janina.
However, it is worth mentioning here that some scholars challenge these facts by claiming Pennsylvania in USA, to be the birthplace of the oil industry.
Hand Dug oild well Franek since 1860
Ignacy Lukasiewicz – Did I hear this name before?
Ignacy Lukasiewicz, the originator of world’s first Kerosene Lamp and the Oil Field.
Ignacy was born on March 8, 1822, who was a pharmacist by profession. He was planning to build a kerosene lamp and finally, on July 31st, 1853, the safe and bright kerosene lamps were ignited at the Lvov hospital. Thus symbolically, worlds? first petroleum industry was born in Poland.
Following his arrival to Polanka in Podkarpacie region in 1861, his life?s passion, which was crude oil production and processing, became his only preoccupation. As a result, the first oil production and processing oil company Lukasiewicz-Trzecieski was set up. The first efficiently organized oil field in Bobrka was opened and the first fully commercial crude oil refinery in Chorkowka was put into operation.
Magdalena oil field
An open air museum:
In 1960, the engineering section of the Polish Academy of Sciences was determined to turn this historic oil field into an open air memorial museum named after Ignacy Lukasiewicz.
Hand operated Rig since 1862
The museum is spread into 20-hectares of land bringing together the relics of the past. Until recently, the museum can boast several buildings and facilities of historic value and equipments containing nearly 400 original specimens of drilling tools and production equipment, more than 1500 volumes of books, annual set of periodicals, manuscripts, nearly 80 kerosene lamps, 1800 photographs, caricatures and graphic works, 70 geological exhibits, hundreds of medals commemorating petroleum events, more than 500 domestic and foreign post stamps depicting items representing all branches of oil industry and nearly 60 models of machinery, buildings and tools.
Old oil mine surface production equipment (L); First drilling rig (prototype)
This museum has also become the venue for solemn events. The oil industry jubilees, anniversaries of Ignacy’s birth and death, are all celebrated on the scenic premises of the Museum.
The Patron!!!!! … to an Oil Industry????
Well, that?s exactly how I reacted when I heard about the patron to this industry. To add to my excitement, I wanted to know how peculiarly they celebrate this day.
Cazarna Derricks
Saint Barbara, the patron of miners is considered as the patron of the oil industry. She was sentenced to death & decapitated by her own father. Every year on the 4th of December, all miners including the workers of the oil industry, visit church dressed with gala uniforms to celebrate. The miners also enjoy themselves with merry songs, dances and humorous rites. During this event, special importance is given to the miners meeting called the ?BEER INN?. Token mugs of different shapes and sizes, huge amounts of beer, witty conversations, funny songs and the whole ceremonial procedure, all contribute to a special atmosphere of such gatherings, which are long remembered.
Kerosene Lamp of I Lukasiewicz (L); Drillers’ safety Lamp(R)
If you happen to travel to this beautiful country of Poland, make sure your trip has a stopover at Krosno, to have the first hand look of this stunning open air museum of Oil Industry along with an exquisite museum for antique lamps.
Ceramic Container (L); Oil hand dug oil well since 1860(R)
I take this opportunity to wish all those who are working in the OIL & Mining industry a Happy Patrons day!
Source: Information gathered from the book ?By the Light of the Paraffin Lamp? edited by Maria Twarog & ?Bobrka ?Our Petroleum Heritage? edited by Josef Sozanski.
Author: Zeena J Noronha- Oman