page_title: Pattillo Higgins
section_title: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop
hierarchical_section_title: Pattillo Higgins / Higgins’ venture into business / The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop
caption_attribution_description: English: The Lucas Gusher at Spindletop Hill, South of Beaumont, Texas, United States
context_page_description: Pattillo Higgins was a businessman as well as a self-taught geologist. He earned the nickname the "Prophet of Spindletop" for his endeavors in the oil business, which accrued a fortune for many. He partnered to form the Gladys City Oil Gas and Manufacturing Company and later, established the Higgins Standard Oil Company.
context_section_description: In late October 1900, with the help of the experienced crew of Al and Curt Hamill from Corsicana, drilling began again. This time, the drilling would be done using a newer, heavier, and more efficient rotary type bit. Over the next several months, work was difficult maintaining the drilling through the underground sands. On January 10, 1901, the six tons of four-inch (102 mm)  drilling pipe began to shoot up out of the hole, sending the roughnecks fleeing for safety. The geyser shot oil over 150 feet (46 m) high and flowed an estimated 100,000 barrels per day (16,000 m³/d). 
  The well was at a depth of 1,020 feet (310 m), and as it turns out, was at the precise location as initially predicted by Higgins. The well would not have struck oil if it had been drilled just 50 feet (15 m) to the south. The well, which was dubbed "Lucas 1", had an initial flow rate greater than all of the oil wells in the United States combined in that day. The Spindletop oilfield churned out over 3 million barrels (480,000 m³) the first year of operation, and over 17 million barrels (2,700,000 m³) the following year. This effectively brought an end to John D. Rockefeller’s world monopoly.
caption: On January 10, 1901, the gusher "Lucas 1" at Spindletop blew through on the hill where Higgins predicted.
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