International Petroleum Exposition

The International Petroleum Exposition (IPE) was a specialized trade fair held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at varying intervals from 1923 to 1979.

Its main purposes were to display the latest oil industry technology, sell equipment and services, and to educate industry workers and the general public about the production of oil.

Despite heavy rains during the week, and the fact that the city was still trying to recover from the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, the IPE drew enough visitors to be considered a success.

[1] Some important industry groups such as the Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association[3] and the American Petroleum Institute scheduled meetings in Tulsa to coincide with the IPE.

The Mid-Continent Supply Company commissioned the now-famous Golden Driller statue and displayed it at the entrance to the exhibition grounds.

[4] Originally called the International Petroleum Exposition Center (and often called the IPE Building), it was funded by a $3.5 million bond issue in 1966, and upon completion became home to the International Petroleum Exposition.

Oil production had greatly moved outside of the United States and foreign producers had greater influence over the markets.