Overview
Kern County has long produced most of California's oil. Fields such as Kern River, Midway-Sunset and Elk Hills surround Bakersfield and shape its economy.
History
Oil was discovered along the Kern River in 1899, starting a boom that made the county one of the country's major oil regions. Elk Hills was long held as a U.S. Naval Petroleum Reserve. Much of the region's heavy oil is produced using steam injection.
Today
Production has declined from its peak as state energy policy has shifted, but oil and gas still support many jobs around Bakersfield. Remote, spread-out oil field sites rely on mobile patrol and access control.
Compiled October 2026. History is summarized for general interest; check primary sources for research. This landmark is local context, not an employer or job listing.