The oil production in Europe and North America during the first half of the nineteenth century was run by a proto industrial system that was inhibited by a lack of mechanization and limited outcomes and was ultimately penalized by the lack of a target market.

During the 1860’s the petroleum sector were introduced new practices and production techniques, result of a cumulative process of experience and innovations that started to develop since the first decade of the century. From this path arose a new complex system in which oil research, drilling, refining and logistic taken over new value and meaning. Pennsylvania was the cradle of the conjunction between processes and physical artifacts: the satisfactory outcomes of this model have gradually influenced, as a domino effect, all the countries in which were active oil operations. Mexico was one of those countries. What represented oil for Mexico? Which influence has had the Pennsylvanian Revolution in Mexico? This presentation aims to answer to these questions discussing selected episodes that marked the Mexican oil system during the 19th century. This analysis intends to highlight also the connections and the interdependencies that were been between the Mexican case and the oil system of other countries.