ABC has announced that the television show “OIL” will be picked up for 13 episodes. The pilot episode was filmed in Utah this past March and it is looking increasingly likely that the beehive state will be the filming location for the additional 12 episodes. “OIL” will air this fall during the ABC primetime line-up on Sunday nights following “Once Upon a Time.”
The series follows Billy (Chace Crawford) and Cody (Rebecca Rittenhouse), a young couple that decide to head to the oil fields of North Dakota, where the biggest oil rush in American history has just occurred. While pursuing their fortune, their lives soon get intertwined with an ensemble group of interesting characters including a powerful oil tycoon (Don Johnson).
“The Utah Film Commission is highly optimistic about our negotiations with ABC to shoot their new series “OIL” here. A television series would bring more jobs for locals, a boost to the economy, and a lot of credibility to our state’s film industry. We had a great experience working with them on the pilot and we anticipate official confirmation of the series locations will come in early June.” said Virginia Pearce, director of the Utah Film Commission.
The pilot episode was approved for a Utah motion picture incentive and filmed across the northern part of the state, including Ogden, Huntsville, Midvale and Oakley. The production also hired over 180 Utah cast and crew and has a projected spend of $5.1 million in the state.