The United State did not have the first to have an Oil Industry.
3000 - 450 BC the Sumerians, Assyrians, and Babylonians (Mesopotamia) had used Asphaltic Bitumen, and it became a big part of their economy.
Bituman was used in paints, for waterproofing of baskets, wicker, and mats. Bituman sulphur mix was used for fumigation, and the treatment of sores.
Flusxed with oil it was used for inflamed eyes.
Mixed with beer it was as a cure for different ailments, also in magic.
I fine art it was use as a cement for mosaic, and in construction.
In warfare, the construction of primitive bludgeons and dagger hafts.
Persian used bituminous Mastic only for the caulking of ships.
This Technology was not use by the Romans and the Greeks, and was lost to Early western Europe.
The Greeks on observations of the occurrence of natural gas petroleum, and saphaltic materials and rocks was a wonder of nature and did not think much of it.
Some of the city of ancient Mesopotamia where:

Ancient Towns:

Hit, Nippur, Erech, Ur, Eridu, Assur, Ninveh, Opis, Baghdad, Agade, Lagash, Larsa, Sidon, Tyre, Babylon.

Modern Towns:

Latakia, Hams, Jerusalem,
If you would like to read more about this and how the United State Oil Industry came about here is a good book that tells the history about it.

• The American Petroleum Industry
  • Vol. 1   The age of illumination 1859-1899
        By Harold Francis Williamson,
            Arnold R Daum
            Published in 1959
  • Vol. 2   The Age of Energy 1899-1959
        By Harold Francis Williamson,
            Ralph L Andreano,
            Arnold R Daum,
            Gilbert C Klose
            Published in 1963

  Northwestern University Press
                                  Evanston