Chance presided over the baptism of the new company Pechelbronn S.A.E.M. wanted to create in 1927. During a social gathering of the company’s executives, the name came naturally to the lips of one participant, in remembrance, probably, of Rimsky-Korsakov’s symphony and of the popular opera devoted to the Arabian poet and adventurer.

The small 18th century mining company with 40 shares which made and marketed grease for lubricating cart wheels has lived up to its reputation.

Merkwiller Pechelbronn was long considered the centre of the oil industry. Generations of engineers came to Alsace to get acquainted with drilling techniques and the refining of crude oils.