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You might have read that we don’t need oil anymore, or that the oil industry is in an “existential crisis.” But in reality, the world is going to need a lot of oil for many decades to come. Here’s why…

We recently visited Franklin Well Services’ technical manager Jerry Robinson. He graciously took the time to demonstrate how hydraulic fracturing fluid is made and how it is composed of at least 99% water and sand, with the remaining ingredients consisting of a combination of harmless additives, including guar beans (commonly used in ice cream) and borax (soap). We also sat down for an interview afterwards and discussed how the fluid is used in the Illinois Basin.

At the 2020 IOGA Convention, IPRB is debuted a new industry film featuring Travis Thompson of Travis Thompson Oil Corp. in Mt. Carmel. The video highlights the fact that Illinois oil producers – a vast majority of which live on same land where they operate – are good stewards of the environment.

In this weeks episode of Hometown Energy we will feature a mini-tour of the Illinois Oilfield Museum in Oblong, Illinois, with museum curator John Larrabee. We are showcasing just a few of the many displays and for more information on how you can tour the facility for yourself please contact the Illinois Oilfield Museum.

Hometown Energy had the pleasure of visiting the Illinois Oilfield Museum in Oblong, Illinois for an interview with past Illinois Oil and Gas Association president and current museum curator John Larrabee. We discuss John’s long career in the oil business during this first in our two-part interview.

We take an in-depth look at the significant economic impact the oil industry makes in Southern Illinois and throughout the state with IPRB Executive Director Seth Whitehead.

Stacy Tate and Morgan Tate, of Brehm Oil in Mt. Vernon, are our first mother and son interview. Brehm Oil is another family-owned E/P company and has been in business since 1944. Together the pair discuss their roots and how they balance their family / work life.

The Dee Drilling Company has entered into its 80th year and spans four generations of operating their family business in Mt. Carmel. J. Roy Dee (father) and Patrick Dee (son) talk about the relationships they’ve built over the years and how they are implementing renewable energy into their own business.

Travis Thompson was raised in the oil industry and now as a producer / small business owner in his twenties shares his thoughts on the future generation and how the existing leadership can help ensure their skills and knowledge are not lost.

We recently sat down with the father and son team of Chris and Ryan Mitchell of George N. Mitchell Drilling in Carmi, IL. This family-owned business has been serving the Illinois Basin for more than seven decades.

Born and raised in Southern Illinois, Brad Gesell and family have been operating Gesell’s Pump Sales and Service for over 40 years. Brad talks about the ups and downs over those years and the sense of pride that comes from serving the community.