April 09th, 2026

MOGA Spotlight: Missaukee Oil & Gas Co.

Built on Determination, Driven by Opportunity

by Amanda Hattis
Managing Editor, Michigan Oil & Gas News

“You learn to appreciate the small wins. There’s always another challenge waiting,” said Chris Blessing (left) as he and Jordan Gray (right) pose next to a pumpjack. MICHIGAN OIL & GAS NEWS / Amanda Hattis

On a quiet evening in Lake City, a casual conversation between two young professionals turned into a shared vision for building something lasting in Michigan’s oil and gas industry.

“We met at a bar in Lake City,” recalled Chris Blessing. “Jordan said, ‘I kinda want to buy a well.’”
​
What started as a side venture — managing three wells while working full-time jobs — gradually grew into Missaukee Oil & Gas Company, now operating more than 300 wells across Northern Michigan. The company’s growth reflects a willingness to learn by doing, solve problems as they arise, and stay committed through the ups and downs that come with operating in the Michigan Basin.
​
“We’re a small, aggressive, vertically integrated company that’s always willing to grow, explore, and try something new,” said Jordan Gray. “We’re not afraid of challenges, and we hold ourselves to a high standard.”

Both founders were drawn to the industry by a deep respect for what it represents — not just energy production, but opportunity. Gray quickly recognized the oil and gas sector as a place where teamwork, perseverance, and creativity can make a tangible difference for communities and local economies.

“It takes a lot of people working together to make this industry function,” he said. “That collaboration — and the jobs it creates — is what makes it so important.”
​
Blessing’s interest developed through years spent around heavy industry and transportation, where he saw firsthand how infrastructure and resource development shape regional economies. For him, oil and gas offered a chance to build something tangible while contributing to the nation’s energy supply.

Jordan Gray takes an oil sample at a well in Missaukee County. MICHIGAN OIL & GAS NEWS / Amanda Hattis

“The potential in Michigan is almost unlimited,” Gray added. “There’s no place I’d rather own oil and gas wells. We have every headwind imaginable fighting us, but that leaves a lot of opportunity for those who don’t give up!”
​
More importantly, they see locally owned operators as essential contributors to the state’s energy picture and rural economies.

“We’re providing a natural resource everyone depends on,” Blessing said. “At the end of the day, all wealth created in this country comes from natural resources. It is the first domino in a long series of economic transactions that benefits everyone downstream.”

Gray emphasized the broader economic impact of the industry.

“Michigan oil and gas operators are like daily economic stimulus packages to the entire state,” he said. “Operating is expensive, but it supports an enormous number of jobs, revenue streams, royalties, and opportunities for the local economy. Families thrive where there are good jobs, and businesses invest where cash flow exists. Oil and gas strengthen the economy through wealth creation and energy independence.”

Missaukee Oil & Gas describes its culture in simple terms: bootstrapping, teamwork, and family. Building the business from the ground up required long hours, hands-on problem-solving, and a team willing to tackle whatever needed attention that day.

Gray oversees field managers, develops exploration prospects, and identifies opportunities to improve performance across the company’s assets. Blessing focuses on business processes and operation stability while pursuing growth. Both regularly brainstorm ways to streamline outdated systems, and time in the field remains essential.

Jordan (left) and Chris (right) look over historical well data in the break room. MICHIGAN OIL & GAS NEWS / Amanda Hattis

The company is pursuing growth through new drilling prospects and development opportunities aimed at bringing renewed investment into the Michigan Basin.

“We want to show that Michigan still has strong potential,” Gray said. “There are opportunities here for those willing to work for them.”

Blessing believes improving existing wells is just as important as drilling new ones.

“The resource hasn’t disappeared,” he said. “It’s no different than a showerhead in your home. If it loses pressure, you don’t assume you’ve run out of water – it just needs to be cleaned.”

The past few years have reinforced the importance of resilience and adaptability. Running an oil company requires managing equipment, personnel, regulations, and market forces simultaneously — often while solving unexpected problems on short notice.

Gray noted that workforce changes present ongoing challenges.

“The next generation of workers is becoming less interested in manual work, understanding processes, troubleshooting, and dedication to a craft, which makes recruitment difficult in this industry,” he said. “Technology has become something the next generation depends on every day – yet its also reshaping the workforce and, in some cases, replacing the very roles it was meant to support.”

Despite those challenges, both founders remain optimistic about the future of Michigan’s oil and gas industry. They see opportunities for renewed development, stronger collaboration among operators, and increased investment in the basin.

Gray hopes to see more drilling, workovers, and partnerships that bring momentum back to the industry, while Blessing envisions Missaukee Oil & Gas continuing to grow as a long-term contributor to Northern Michigan’s economy — creating jobs and supporting communities along the way.
“We want to build something that provides opportunity for years to come,” Blessing said.

Both founders emphasize that their journey would not have been possible without the support of mentors, partners, and community members who believed in them early on. They specifically credit Dave and Jill Hall, Dennis Schmude, Bret Friend, Mark Mumford, and Roger Freed for their encouragement, guidance, and willingness to share knowledge along the way.

“We’re grateful for the people who took a chance on us,” Blessing said.

For Gray, that sense of gratitude is closely tied to faith and a belief that the path forward is shaped by both hard work and purpose.
“Doors were opened for us at the right times,” he said.
​
From a spontaneous idea shared over drinks to a growing operation managing hundreds of wells, Missaukee Oil & Gas Company reflects the determination, gratitude, and work ethic that continue to define Michigan’s independent producers — a reminder that the future of the industry will be shaped not only by resources in the ground, but by the people willing to develop them.