How to Get Oil in ARK: Survival Ascended (& Best Oil Locations)

In ARK: Survival Ascended, oil is necessary for fuel and advanced crafting. Unlike its predecessor ARK: Survival Evolved, finding oil in the latest entry is a little trickier. Fear not! Whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, we’re breaking down the process and where we consider the 10 best locations to get oil on The Island.

Where to Find & Farm Oil in ARK Survival Ascended

There are a bunch of ways you can get oil and a range of different locations around The Island. The Northern Arctic Biome is rich in oil nodes, but it’s pretty dangerous. Bring warm gear and be weary of big dinos. Otherwise, you can go swimming instead; divers can either equip scuba gear to harvest it from the seabed or tame a Basilosaurus to ride. Below we’ve listed the best 10 locations to farm oil in our experience. Remember you can use our interactive map page to track their precise coordinates:

1. Beaches of South Zone 1: Look for oil-rich corals in shallow waters safe from predators.
2. Northern Icebergs (Coordinates: 5.8, 5.0): Icebergs are laden with oil nodes, best accessed by a flying creature.
3. Snowy Beaches (Coordinates: 27.7, 7.5): The snowy region harbors safe beaches with plentiful oil nodes.
4. Eastern Coastal Reef (Coordinates: 81.9, 38.1 to 87.3, 30.8): A stretch of reef brimming with oil nodes along the coast.
5. Southern Lagoon (Coordinates: 94.8, 56.1): A secluded lagoon with oil corals, free from dangerous sea creatures.
6. Herbivore Island Shallows (Coordinates: 92.6, 91.5): Shallow oil rocks accessible without advanced diving equipment.
7. Blue Obelisk Area (Coordinates: 21.5, 21.6): While not rich in oil, it’s a convenient spot if already visiting for other resources.
8. Lagoon Near South Zone 2 (Coordinates: 82.4, 34.1): A shark-free lagoon abundant with oil corals.
9. Southern Tropical Beaches: Trilobites frequent these beaches, providing a modest oil supply.
10. Shallow Reef Near Southern Coast (Coordinates: 86, 78.6): A reef with oil corals in shark-free shallow waters.

We mentioned Basilosaurus earlier, and as related to oil it’s useful for more than just exploring underwater. In fact, it actually produces oil passively itself, and it’s not the only creature to do so. Others include:

• Basilosaurus: These ocean dwellers not only provide oil when harvested but also passively produce it in their inventory over time.
• Leeches: Found in the swampy waters, especially around Pack Cave (68.2, 56.1) and east of the Green Obelisk (58.9,72.3).
• Trilobites: These shoreline creatures are an early-game source of oil, though not as efficient for large projects.
• Dung Beetles: process waste into oil and fertilizer within your base.
• Hesperornis Farming: Cooking eggs from tamed Hesperornis in a pot can yield oil, offering a unique way to gather the resource.

What Oil Is Used For in ARK

Oil in ARK: Survival Ascended is not just a resource but a gateway to more advanced gear. It’s the primary ingredient for gasoline, which powers generators, vehicles, and industrial machines. It also plays a role in crafting various items and is essential for maintaining a sustainable and efficient base. You’ll need it in plentiful supply throughout the game.

So there you have it, take your choice between setting up an outpost in the frigid north, donning scuba gear for oceanic ventures, or strategically harvesting resources from the local fauna. Check out our guide on all the new dinos in the game while deciding.