Petroleum Geologist Tom Hopps Featured Speaker at Ag Museum

Lecture focuses on past and present petroleum discoveries in California basins

From seeps to geology to geophysics, speaker Tom Hopps, president of Rancho Energy Consultants, Inc., will explore the historical petroleum development of the mature Ventura basin and speculate about its future, 1–2:30 p.m., March 13, at the Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula. A California petroleum geologist for nearly 50 years, Hopps will share many firsts in California: the first (and only) oil mines, the first sustained oil production from a well, the first price collapse, the first commercial oil field and the first offshore drilling. Admission is free to members; $5 for non-members. Ample free parking. For information, visit https://venturamuseum.org/visit-agriculture-museum/ or call 805-525-3100.

About the Speaker  

Thomas E. Hopps, President of Rancho Energy Consultants, Inc., and other entities, has 50 years of experience in the California petroleum industry including Signal Oil & Gas Co., Argo Petroleum Corp. and as an independent. Since 1979 Mr. Hopps has consulted as a petroleum geologist for a wide range of clients. He has also managed certain petroleum related investments, has co-authored oil and gas discoveries in several California basins and has operated both drilling and producing oil and gas properties. He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from California State University Long Beach, is a California registered geologist and has published extensively on California petroleum geology. Hopps is a former director of the California Oil Museum Foundation and past president and an honorary life member of the Pacific Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. 

The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. Located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001, the Museum of Ventura County is open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Phone 805.653.0323 for more information.