By the 1920's, steel oil well derricks were repadly replacing older, more primitive wooden derricks, (one of the last appears in this busy West Virginia field). During this period, J&L Steel became a leading supplier with its steel derrick design. By 1900 the state's oil production exceeded 16 million barrels. By 1911, West Virginia was the nation's leading oil and gasoline producer. By 1917 its natural gas production reached 

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