Which event occurred earliest among the listed milestones?

• A. Mesa Petroleum formed in 1969
• B. USA fuel economy legislation passed in 1975
• C. OPEC first reduced production in 1982
• D. OPEC cut prices in 1983

Answer: (A)

To find which event happened first, compare the years and pick the smallest one. The formation of Mesa Petroleum in 1969 is earlier than the other dates listed (1975, 1982, and 1983), so it occurred first. The 1975 fuel economy legislation came later, followed by OPEC’s first production cut in 1982 and then a price cut in 1983, showing how events in oil policy and markets unfolded after the late 1960s.