Image

Petrolia Discovery is hoping to double its oil producing capacity by the end of the summer.

It has been a long time, perhaps as many as two years, since all the wells were operating at the site. At peak production and during high oil prices, producers say $250,000 can be generated from the wells on site.

But the foundation has had a difficult time keeping everything running over the last couple of years. Everything from vandalism, lack of cash and a record breaking storm hampered the effort to get all the wells working again.

All the oil revenue is pumped back into the site. The last audited figures show the Discovery Foundation made only $29,000 in revenue in 2013.

Right now, just five of the 20 wells are operational. But that is about to change.

Acting Chair of the Petrolia Discovery Foundation, Dawn Sperling, says Dundee Energy L.P.  has donated 130 lengths of pipe to the historic site – enough to get 10 of Discovery’s 20 pipes working again.

Sperling says Mark Redick of Redick Well Services, will be coming on site each week to repair one well, meaning by the end of the summer a total of 10 wells will be producing oil and much needed revenue for the site.

“Mark Redick approached us and wanted to help us get our wells up and running, knowing we needed pipe to do it,” says Sperling. Redick is a contractor working for Dundee Energy and he suggested the foundation ask for a donation.

Dundee Energy said yes and on June 30 delivered the first lengths of pipe. “This is an extremely generous offer and we greatly appreciate it,” says Sperling.

“Last few months we have had good oil production considering we only have just five wells running,” she says adding the current low price of oil means they aren’t making as much as they hoped.

Sperling is excited the community has stepped forward to help, adding Charlie Fairbank of Fairbank Oil has also been a great help as the Discovery reorganizes and repairs the problems on the historic oil fields.

“If I have any questions in regards to anything, he’s been a great source of information.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Over 50 ed assistants cut for First Nations students

July 3, 2025

Blake Ellis/The Independent Lambton-Kent District School Board passed a $383 million balanced budget for the 2025-26 school year but local Indigenous leaders are concerned.  While Trustee Roberta Northmore called it a wonderful budget during the June 24 meeting, she did not support it saying there was no consultation with the four First Nations within the Lambton-Kent boundaries.  Northmore called the

Read More

Image
Front Page

Ham radio fans say hello to the Netherlands without leaving Enniskillen

July 3, 2025

Blake Ellis/The Independent Ham radio enthusiasts tuned into locations throughout North America and the world, connecting with Texas, Argentina, the Caribbean and the Netherlands all from Enniskillen Township. The Lambton County Radio Club held its annual field day on Saturday and Sunday, for a 24 hour period at Krall Park in Enniskillen Township.  Field day demonstrates ham radio’s ability to

Read More

Image
Front Page

Petrolia splash pad almost ready

July 3, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Petrolia’s long-awaited splash pad should be up and running by the end of July.  That from Town of Petrolia officials who acknowledged they’d hoped it would be open July 1. In 2019, a community survey called for a splash pad. The 2020 Parks and Recreation Master Plan also picked up on the desire for the water feature.

Read More

Image
Front Page

Two drowned in the waters off Ipperwash on the Canada Day weekend

July 2, 2025

The Independent It was a deadly long weekend on Lake Huron in Lambton Shores. Monday, an 18 year-old London resident died and a 12 year-old had to be rescued from the waters at Ipperwash Beach. Today, Lambton OPP report another person – a 44 year-old from Lambton Shores – has also died while swimming. Police, paramedics and Lambton Shores firefighters

Read More