Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

06/12/2026

Did you know? Eighteen Illinois counties passed resolutions of support for the Illinois oil production industry in 2019. These 18 counties are responsible for 93% of the state's oil production and the oil production industry provides more than 2,500 direct jobs and more than $1 billion in annual economic impact combined in these counties. Find out more about the economic impact of the Illinois oil production industry here: http://bit.ly/4v2vVlL

06/10/2026

This week's post highlights a major Fayette County oil boom launched in 1937 when the discovery well of the Loudon oilfield was drilled north of St. Elmo. More than 400 million barrels have been produced in this huge 15-mile long, 2 1/2 mile wide field, with many of the original wells drilled in the 1930s still producing today. Along with the discovery of the massive 13-mile long, 6-mile wide Salem Field just south of Fayette County in 1938, Illinois saw a dramatic increase in oil production in the late 1930s and early 1940s, proving critical to fueling the Allied Forces defeat of the petroleum-poor Axis Powers in World War II.
Check out IPRB's mini-documentary on the oil boom launched in 1937 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIYkB8qgmNg

The Loudon oil field is an area located in eastern Fayette County and parts of western Effingham County. The discovery of its oil stockpile in the late 1930’s, transformed Altamont, St. Elmo, and o…

06/04/2026

IPRB Executive Director Seth Whitehead was the guest speaker at the Richland County Rotary Club's monthly meeting on Wednesday. Whitehead talked about IPRB's mission of increasing awareness and understanding of the Illinois oil production industry and the many factors that determine pump prices. Thank you to the Club of Richland County - Olney, IL for the invite! IPRB has made similar presentations to the Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Wabash Regional Planning Commission, Association of Kentucky and many other groups. Message us if you would be interested in a presentation!

06/03/2026

: Did you know? The Salem Field was discovered in 1938 and its production peaked at a remarkable 95.27 million barrels in 1940, establishing it as the second-largest oilfield in the United States at the time. The field's discovery made Illinois the No. 3 oil producing state - exceeding Iraq and Iran's COMBINED production - and proved crucial to fueling the Allied Forces defeat of the petroleum poor Axis Powers in World War II. Find out more about Illinois' oil production history here at iprb.org: https://illinoispetroleumresourcesboard.org/industry/

06/01/2026

Thank you to Chasteen Land and Title, LLC for having Illinois Petroleum Resources Board executive director on their new Landcast podcast! Be sure to check it out!

Brandon and Jeremy sit down with Seth Whitehead, Executive Director of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board ( ) to talk about the history, future, a...

06/01/2026

In an effort to address the growing need for CDL truck drivers in the Illinois Basin oil production industry, IPRB will be offering a CDL training/certification cost reimbursement program to oil production companies that are contributing to the IPRB assessment. IPRB will reimburse qualifying companies for expenses up to $2,500 per employee seeking a CDL license. Eligible expenses include training or schooling fees, required medical exams, DMV testing fees, and truck rental or access fees. Companies will be required to submit proof of CDL license obtained, current employment at the company and receipts for any training/schooling, medical test fee and DMV test fee to qualify for reimbursement. Reply to this email or text/call IPRB executive director Seth Whitehead at 618-367-4751 if you are a qualifying company that is interested!

05/29/2026

IPRB recently completed the following abandoned tank battery restoration project in Christian County. This is one of five abandoned tank battery restoration projects completed in Christian County this year. These projects are funded by volunteer contributions to IPRB from Illinois oil producers and royalty owners. They are not taxpayer funded. To be eligible for restoration, sites must be listed as legally abandoned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Find out more about our restoration program here 👇https://illinoispetroleumresourcesboard.org/

05/27/2026

This week's post takes us back to 1966, when drilling in Jasper County made national headlines, including coverage in the New York Times and Tulsa World. Union Oil's No. 1 Louis Menke "A" opened up the St. Louis dolomite formation three miles east of Newton and set off a drilling boom in the county throughout 1966. Interestingly, the Menke well had twice been determined a dry hole and abandoned - the first time when Pure Oil Co. drilled 2,715 feet into the St. Genevieve formation in 1946 and a second time in 1957 when the well was deepened to 3,171 feet into the Salem Limestone. But the third time was a charm, as Union Oil found the sweet spot in between at a 2,940-2,953 foot interval. Find out more about Illinois' oil production history at iprb.org: https://illinoispetroleumresourcesboard.org/industry/

05/25/2026

On behalf of Illinois oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners, IPRB salutes and remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation. 🇺🇸

05/23/2026

Can’t wait to check this out!