Our History

Tribute to the Roughnecks statue by artist Cindy Jackson

The first Barto Company was founded over thirty years ago by Jerry Barto. The company was a commercial and residential development firm in Southern California. In 1979, the Barto enterprise entered the oil business with the acquisition of a property in Costa Mesa, CA for commercial and residential development. This property was in the West Newport Oil Field, having a number of idle wells.

In 1984 the Barto Oil Company founded Signal Hill Petroleum after the acquisition of the Shell lands and leases in Signal Hill.

Jerry Barto continues to be active in managing the many affiliated companies with his son, Craig Barto, who is President of Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. Over the decades, they have worked together to consolidate much of the production in the Long Beach field, and develop most of the vacant land in Signal Hill into the vibrant community it is today.

Today business activities have expanded to include
crude oil production and real estate development.

 

  • Shell Acquisition

    Barto Oil Company became Signal Hill Petroleum once the Shell deal was complete.

  • Arco East Unit Acquisition

    Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. purchased working interest and operatorship in the "Signal Hill East Unit" from Arco.

  • Texaco West Unit Acquisition

    Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. purchased working interest and operatorship in the "Signal Hill West Unit" from Texaco.

  • Exxon West Unit Acquisition

    Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. purchased working interest in the "Signal Hill West Unit" from Exxon.

  • Alamitos Land Company in East Unit and Non-Unit Acquisition

    Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. purchased the royalty interest in a number of Unit and Non unit properties from the Alamitos Land Company.

  • Opening the Town Center West Commercial Retail Center

    This Shopping Center Opened with a Chevron gas station, a McDonalds, one of the first Drive through Starbucks, a Coco's, and a Craftsmen inspired Grocery Store.

  • Completion of Hilltop Residential

    Million dollar view homes!

  • Bryant Lease acquired in Seal Beach

    Signal Hill Petroleum, Inc. purchased from Chevron Texaco.

  • Signal Hill Gateway Shopping Center Opened

    The commercial center is anchored by Home Depot, Petco, Ross and DollarTree.

  • 2D Seismic Survey in Long Beach

    The survey was successfully performed by contractor NodalSeismic in Long Beach, CA. This was a predecessor to a successful 30 square mile 3D.

  • 3D Seismic survey throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill

    The survey was successfully performed in Long Beach and Signal Hill by contractor NodalSeismic and was completed in the spring of 2012.