THE FITZGERALD RIG

Built in 1903, this is still the largest pumping rig in the world. It has been operating almost continuously for nearly a century. Initially, the rig was powered by steam. Later it used an internal combustion engine and finally, an electric motor. The rig takes its name from the man who erected it, Frederick Ardell Fitzgerald, the first president of Imperial Oil Ltd. Fitzgerald had owned this site and in 1921 Fred Hamlin bought it and operated 22 wells here. By 1972 only five wells were producing oil. Murray Bradley was the last private owner and sold the site to the Town of Petrolia. Today, 20 wells are producing 220 barrels of oil each month. Most wells here are approximately 148 metres (487 feet) deep. The deepest well ever drilled in Petrolia is about 149 metres (490 feet) and it's located on the southern border of Petrolia Discovery. In the Petrolia area, the rock which bears the oil is over 4 metres (14 feet) thick.

 

 


TOUR OVERVIEW



1. Visitor Parking
2. Entry Office
3. Crude Shop
8. Film Theatre
9. Shelter
10. Train Display Pavillion
11. Gumbed
23. Stable
28. Marthaville United Church
29. McKinley House