Morningstar's Oils

Phil and Paul Morningstar are fourth generation oilmen, their family having emigrated from Pennsylvania before the turn of the century. In 1979 Paul and Phil inherited their oil fields in Oil Springs from an uncle. They quit their factory jobs to take over the operation of these fields.

The Morningstars have 17 wells in operation and they pump an average of 500 barrels of crude per month. Their wells have the distinction of being the only wells successfully using water flooding equipment in Lambton County. Oil is brought to the surface by first pumping water down a special well that floods the rock formation at about 400 to 600 feet. The Morningstars also design and produce almost everything in their own machine shop, always looking for new ways to bring the oil up to the surface.

Phil and Paul Morningstar
Morningstar's Oils
1983

The Morningstar producers use the Woods' Jerker System to pump their wells, a system that is often used in Pennsylvania oil fields. The turn-tables are powered by gas from the wells being pumped. Unlike the Fairbank fields, Phil and Paul use steel cables or steel jerker lines. They have used this system since 1983, and are quite satisfied with how it works.