There are several factors that contributed to the dramatic increase in worldwide oil production after 1950. Some of the key reasons include:
1. Technological advancements: The development of new drilling techniques such as hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling allowed for the extraction of oil from previously inaccessible reserves, leading to a significant increase in production.
2. Increased demand: The post-World War II economic boom led to a surge in global industrialization and urbanization, which in turn increased the demand for oil as a primary source of energy for transportation, manufacturing, and other industries.
3. Geopolitical factors: The discovery of large oil reserves in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela, as well as the formation of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), played a significant role in boosting global oil production.
4. Investment in infrastructure: Countries around the world made significant investments in oil exploration, drilling, and transportation infrastructure, which helped increase the overall production capacity.
5. Government policies: Many governments implemented policies to encourage domestic oil production, such as tax incentives, subsidies, and deregulation of the industry, which further boosted oil production.
Overall, a combination of technological advancements, increased demand, geopolitical factors, investment in infrastructure, and government policies all contributed to the dramatic increase in worldwide oil production after 1950.