Paul Calle (1928 - 2010) and Chris Calle (B. 1961) "Quest for Oil Focuses on Middle East". Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media on Illustration Board painting. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 60c Quest for Oil Focuses on Middle East stamp issued April 15, 1997. The discovery of oil in the Middle East led to far-reaching geo-political, economic and social ramifications. As oil quickly became the world's primary energy source, it was soon apparent that abundant new resources of "black gold" would be needed to continue to feed the rapid development of industrialized nations. In 1902,the first oil wells were drilled in Iran and crude oil was piped 125 miles to a refinery at the city of Abadan, in Khuzestan. In 1908, what would prove to be the world's largest reservoir of oil was discovered near the town of Masjid-I-Salaman (Mosque of Solomon) in southwestern Iran. Other immense refineries were soon constructed in Iran. Today, oil reserves and the countries that possess them continue to play critical and influential roles in the economic and political structure of the world. Image Size: 10.5 x 13.75 in. Overall Size: 14.5 x 20 in. Unframed. (B15661 / B15662)