Current Abstract

June 9th, 2026 Meeting Abstract

This Month’s Topic: Discovery and Development in the Northwest Los Angeles Basin

Presented by: Stanford Eschner

Abstract: 

The talk will be about the discovery and development of oil fields within the northwest Los Angeles Basin in the 1950’s., including geology, observations, stories, some politics and remaining opportunities: 30 to 40 minutes.

Biography:

Stanford Eschner is co-owner & Chairman of Trio Petroleum LLC,• Bakersfield, California. He is a native of Los Angeles, was raised in Santa Monica and attended UCLA, receiving a B.A. in geology in 1954 and an MA in geology in 1958. He and his wife, Ginnie, have lived in Bakersfield since 1958. In 1954-1955 Eschner was employed by micropaleontologist Wilbur D. Rankin, processing samples and identifying Foraminifera and other microfossils. Mr. Eschner was a geologist in the Army Corp of Engineers from 1955 to 1957 with the rank of First Lieutenant, followed by three years with Shell Oil Company as a production geologist where he discovered and developed the prolific Belgian Anticline PML Oceanic sand oil pool. He joined Occidental Petroleum Corporation in Bakersfield in 1961. He was promoted in 1977 to Vice President Manager of Domestic Operations. During his career with Oxy, Mr, Eschner was responsible for the successful exploration of approximately 50 domestic oil and gas fields and lots of dry holes. Some early discoveries in California were East Beverly Hills (40 million BO field). Sawtelle (15 million BO field) and Beta (160 million BO field). He elected to retire from Occidental in August 1983 his position was Chief Geologist Worldwide. In 1983 he co founded Trio Petroleum LLC, an independent oil and gas operating company with exploration, development and property-acquisition activity primarily in California He has always served as Chairman and is actively engaged in its 2026 operations. Mr. Eschner is a registered geologist of the State of California. He has been an active member of the AAPG since 1953, was President of the Pacific Section in 1987 and in 1995 was made an honorary lifetime member of the Pacific Section, He is currently an at-large board member of CIPA. In April 2026, he received the National Colonel Edwin L Drake Legendary Oilman Award from the Petroleum History Institute – their highest award,