Author(s)

ZhiHao Zhu

Affiliation(s)

Kings’ School Al Barsha, Dubai 38199, United Arab Emirates.

Corresponding Author

ZhiHao Zhu

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the oil exploration and production industry, examining its evolution through the intertwined lenses of corporate strategy, geopolitical conflict, and technological innovation. It argues that the sector's development has been a powerful force in shaping the modern global economy and international relations, while simultaneously being profoundly shaped by external political, economic, and environmental pressures. The study employs a dual-case framework for in-depth illustration: the corporate history of BP serves to trace the strategic adaptations and challenges of a major international oil company, from its imperial origins to its contemporary engagement with the energy transition. Concurrently, the Rumaila oil field in Iraq is analyzed as a microcosm of the industry's technical, operational, and geopolitical dimensions, highlighting its enduring significance and modernization. The analysis spans key historical phases, including the formative early discoveries, the rise of OPEC and the use of oil as a geopolitical weapon, and the persistent link between hydrocarbon resources and regional conflicts. It then investigates the contemporary pressures compelling transformation, particularly the dual imperatives of technological efficiency and climate responsibility. The discussion projects into the future of upstream operations, evaluating how digital technologies like artificial intelligence are revolutionizing exploration and production, and how climate-responsive strategies—including carbon management and investments in cleaner energies—are redefining corporate missions. Ultimately, this paper presents the oil industry not as a static entity, but as a dynamic and adaptive sector navigating an irreversible shift toward a lower-carbon global energy system.

KEYWORDS

Oil exploration; BP; Rumaila; OPEC; Upstream technology; Climate change; Energy transition

CITE THIS PAPER

ZhiHao Zhu. History of exploration & production and the oil companies. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Mechanical Engineering. 2025, 3(1): 68-71. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/msme3021.

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