History

In 1935, six states took advantage of a constitutional right to "compact," or agree to work together, to resolve common issues. Faced with unregulated petroleum overproduction and the resulting waste, the states endorsed and Congress ratified a compact to take control of the issues. The result was a unique multi-state government agency now known as the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

Several governors played important roles in laying the groundwork for the Commission in the early 1930s. However, lackluster support of the concept by industry, which at the time favored federal intervention, forced early supporters to abandon their work. A former U.S. Congressman and Oklahoma Governor, E.W. Marland provided the vision and energy to revitalize the notion of state regulation of oil and gas resources, and is considered a founding father of the Commission.

Since that time, the Commission's member states have established effective regulation of the oil and natural gas industry through a variety of programs designed to gather and share information, technologies and regulatory methods. The rich history of the Commission continues to contribute to the success of our nation's energy future.

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Gov. E. W. Marland
Founding Chairman