Oil was discovered around Tulsa back in early 1900’s. The city gained its reputation as Oil Capital of the World when oil production reached the top in 60’s and 70’s. It is interesting to know that there is a city not far from Tulsa called Bartlesville. We stopped here to get a famous Oklahoma’s Pizza, Hideaway. Apparently, Bartlesville is a place where Phillips brother started their Oil Company, Phillips Petroleum Company.

Later on, Phillips Petroleum Company was merged to Utah based oil company called Conoco and came up with a new name ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips has had a presence in Indonesia for more than four decades and one of main partners of government of Indonesia in oil and gas sector.

The volatile prices of oil has impact to the current business. It does not only affect oil and gas sector but also other sectors that depend on it. Tulsa might have been depended on oil and the city with surrounded area were pretty much built by oil money. Since the oil prices is falling down, it cannot be denied that Tulsa feels it too.

The population growth is still positive but not so significant in the last 4 years since there are more young people moved to other places for better job opportunities. However, it seems Tulsa has been survived this condition through diversification in economy. In fact, the diversification was already happened back in years. During our trip to Tallgrass Prairie Preserve we could see there are many ranches along the way.

It shows how agriculture is also important for Tulsa’s economy. In fact, we found there are many old oil wells located in these ranches surrounded by kettle. This includes Tallgrass Prairie Preserve that manage by The Nature Conservancy. We can spotted oil well within the preserve area where the Bisons are grassing freely.

Eventually, natural resources management works well here in Tulsa where people can utilize and preserve it at the same time.  Whether natural resources is a curse or a gift really depends on how we manage it.