Few companies embody the spirit of Fort Worth quite like O’Neal Oil & Gas—a family business with more than seven decades of grit, growth, and generosity. 

The company’s story begins in 1948, when Phil O’Neal founded O’Neal Drilling in Duncan, Oklahoma. At its height, the company operated five rigs, drilling deep conventional wells, some reaching depths of over 20,000 feet. As the business evolved, Phil and his team began purchasing production and building a diverse portfolio of oil and gas assets across the region. 

When the energy industry collapsed in 1981, the O’Neal family made a bold pivot—laying down the rigs and shifting focus entirely to operations. That same year, Phil and Pat O’Neal expanded their entrepreneurial vision beyond energy, purchasing Oley Distribution, a beer distribution company with warehouses in Fort Worth and Dallas, serving 11 counties across North Texas. 

It was during this time that the O’Neal’s connection to Fort Worth deepened. Pat O’Neal quickly became an influential community leader, serving as President of the Rotary Club, sitting on the board of the North Side Business Association, and taking an active role in the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Her long-standing involvement with the Chamber culminated in her service as Chairman of the Fort Worth Chamber Foundation from 2000 to 2002, where she helped guide initiatives that strengthened local business and community development. 

Through the years, the O’Neal family’s spirit of generosity has touched countless lives. The company has provided over 100 full-ride scholarships and continues to support numerous organizations, including the All Children’s Home (ACH), Boys & Girls Club of America, Women’s Center, Bridge2Rwanda, and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. 

Today, O’Neal Oil & Gas remains a proud family-owned operator, managing several hundred wells across multiple states and actively investing in commercial real estate. The third generation of leadership is now in place, with Eric Diment, Pat’s grandson, leading company operations. Eric continues the family tradition of civic engagement, serving as a member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Energy Council, an Executive Committee member of the National Stripper Well Association, a board member of the Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance, and a member of the Fort Worth Stock Show Syndicate. 

This year marks a special milestone for O’Neal Oil & Gas as the company celebrates 45 years as a proud member of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce – a partnership that has provided invaluable relationships, resources, and opportunities. 

Reflecting on that long-standing relationship, Eric shared: 

“The Chamber has been an incredible source of both professional and personal connections for our family,” says Diment. “It’s helped us grow our business, deepen our roots in Fort Worth, and stay connected to the people who make this community so special.” 

From its origins in Oklahoma to its decades of investment in Fort Worth, O’Neal Oil & Gas stands as a testament to perseverance, family values, and the power of community—three hallmarks that continue to define both the company and the city it proudly calls home.