The film “The Challenges of Santa Barbara” was produced by World Wide Video Associates, Inc for Humble Oil. It was directed by Al De Caprio. This 1972 film explores the challenges of drilling for oil in the Santa Barbara area. It was released three years after one of Union Oil / Unocal’s platforms suffered a devastating failure, resulting in an enormous oil spill in Santa Barbara County. This film was apparently intended to reassure the public that Humble Oil was a good steward of the environment. At the time, the company may have planned to construct additional deep water drilling platforms off the California Coast. The film emphasizes how cautious Humble is about their oil extraction work.
The film begins with scenes of Santa Barbara’s coastline (0:10), while the narrator provides a historical background of the city (0:20). The iconic Santa Barbara Mission is showcased (0:37), followed by visuals of the Santa Barbara oil platforms (1:12) and Chumash Native Americans with a canoe (2:00). The Ellwood oil fields are presented, accompanied by a newspaper from World War II featuring the headline “Submarine shells Ellwood Oil Field” (2:38-2:45). A Lufkin oil drill is then displayed (2:46), and interviews with Santa Barbara citizens regarding their opinions on oil drilling are briefly shown, including Stan Lowery, Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce (4:04).
A scene featuring a tractor cleaning an oil-soaked beach in 1969 is depicted (4:35), followed by a portrayal of the various applications of oil (5:43-6:07). An interview with Jim Posgate, Vice President of Humble Oil & Refining, is presented (6:25), alongside visuals of a Western Offshore oil ship (7:30) and an Enco semi-submersible drilling rig, showcasing its computer controls (7:38-8:51). Additional footage features a television camera equipped with a high-powered light (8:41) and a blowout preventer (9:17). The film then proceeds to explain the construction and operation of deepwater drilling platforms in detail (10:49-15:38), including a model of the platform (11:30) and the manufacturing process of its components at TRW Controls (13:03). Various companies involved in the construction are listed (13:08-13:14).
Art Jones, the environmental conservation manager at Humble Oil, is shown on screen, providing insight into his role (15:50). Jones mentions seeking external assistance for certain matters, such as earthquake design, and the film highlights consultant Dr. Paul Jennings (17:20). The film introduces Marvin Stuart from the organization “Get Oil Out” (18:23) and Joe Burkhart, discussing the safety system (19:08). Dr. Robert Holmes (19:52), Fritz Huntsinger (20:07), and Dr. Mike Neushul (20:56) are also seen in the film, sharing their perspectives. The film continues by presenting additional individuals offering their opinions on underwater drilling, including Dr. Alan Eschenroeder (21:53). An oil platform employing spray as camouflage is featured (24:41).The film ends (25:51)
Writer and Associate producer was Joe Scher and narration was provided by Richard Kiley. Kiley was an American actor best known for creating the Tony Award winning title role in Man of La Mancha in its original 1965 Broadway production.
Humble Oil and Refining Co. was an American oil company founded in 1911 in Humble, Texas. It was later acquired by Standard Oil. The Humble brand was used by Standard until 1973, when the company rebranded nationwide as Exxon.
The Santa Barbara oil spill occurred in January and February 1969 in the Santa Barbara Channel,. It was the largest oil spill in United States waters by that time. The source of the spill was a blow-out on January 28, 1969, 6 miles (10 km) from the coast on Union Oil’s Platform A in the Dos Cuadras Offshore Oil Field. Within a ten-day period, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 barrels (3,400,000 to 4,200,000 US gal) of crude oil spilled into the Channel and onto the beaches of Santa Barbara County.
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