Philatelic fuel

The obvious countries known for oil production such as those in the Arabian Peninsula have naturally been the source of many of the stamps, but oil provinces extend throughout the world, with the result that most countries are represented. Even if countries are not themselves producers of oil, they may have oil refineries, distribution facilities or oil companies with logos that are depicted on stamps.

Some of the earliest stamps of interest were issued as part of definitive series for the nations involved. They often illustrate flowing oil wells, presumably to demonstrate their nation’s success, and perhaps to attract inward investment.

Oil has been used for thousands of years; more than 4,000 years ago natural asphalt was used in the construction of the walls and towers of Babylon. In China oil wells were drilled using bits attached to metal poles by 347 AD. There the oil was burned to evaporate brine to produce salt. By the 10th century there were extensive bamboo pipelines connecting the oil wells and the salt springs. From the 9th century oil fields were being exploited in the area around Baku, Azerbaijan. Oil was being distilled there