The term "hot oil" was popularized by Claude V. Barrow, the oil and gas editor for the Daily Oklahoman during the controversy over Oklahoma Gov. William H. Murray's use of martial law to drive up the price of oil by enforcing proration in the state's oil fields. Hot oil referred to oil produced in violation of the proration orders. The term gained national recognition in early 1934 when it was used on the floor of Congress during the consideration of national oil-control legislation
