About Keenan Energy
Five generations of Carolina energy
Keenan Energy is one of the oldest continuously operating family businesses in Columbia. Our family has been serving South Carolina since 1884.
1884
The Beginning
William J. Keenan Sr. came to Columbia from Charleston as a naval stores merchant, selling turpentine, rosin, pitch, and tar from pine land off Monticello Road. That land is still in our family today.
1920
After serving in World War I, his son W.J. "Billy" Keenan Jr. joined the business and Columbia Petroleum was incorporated. Marketing under the Echo Gas brand, we sold lubricants, fuel oil, and kerosene from our office at Lady and Pulaski Street. In 1927, we opened our first full-service station at Gervais and Williams Street.
Columbia Petroleum
After serving in World War I, his son W.J. "Billy" Keenan Jr. joined the business and Columbia Petroleum was incorporated. Marketing under the Echo Gas brand, we sold lubricants, fuel oil, and kerosene from our office at Lady and Pulaski Street. In 1927, we opened our first full-service station at Gervais and Williams Street.1928-1933
From 1928 through 1933 we changed brands from Echo Gas to Shell.
Shell
From 1928 through 1933 we changed brands from Echo Gas to Shell.1940In early 1940, we moved our office to Main and Elmore Street and opened Gulf Oil Plant.
Gulf Oil Plant
In early 1940, we moved our office to Main and Elmore Street and opened Gulf Oil Plant.
1954In 1954, we moved our offices to their current location on Beltline Blvd., becoming a Phillips 66 distributor. In one 24-hour period, we converted 84 Gulf Oil locations to Phillips 66.
Phillips 66
In 1954, we moved our offices to their current location on Beltline Blvd., becoming a Phillips 66 distributor. In one 24-hour period, we converted 84 Gulf Oil locations to Phillips 66.1955In December 1955, we became the first Phillips 66 distributor to exceed 1,000,000 gallons monthly.
Exceeded 1,000,000 gallons monthly
In December 1955, we became the first Phillips 66 distributor to exceed 1,000,000 gallons monthly.1956
Keenan Oil Company
Keenan Oil Company was established at 3923 West Beltline Blvd., where we still are today, with Richard "Shiney" Keenan as president. The business grew into home heating oil, wholesale gasoline, tires, batteries and accessories, and service stations.
1964Edisto Gas was incorporated and became part of Keenan Oil Company, giving us our first propane office outside Columbia, in Orangeburg, SC.
Edisto Gas Joins the Family
Edisto Gas was incorporated and became part of Keenan Oil Company, giving us our first propane office outside Columbia, in Orangeburg, SC.1975We opened our first convenience store, Gaz-Bah Mini Shop #1, at 1501 Bluff Road under the Exxon brand. Today our Gaz-Bah store operates at our headquarters, 3923 West Beltline Blvd. in Columbia.
Our First Gaz-Bah Mini Shop
We opened our first convenience store, Gaz-Bah Mini Shop #1, at 1501 Bluff Road under the Exxon brand. Today our Gaz-Bah store operates at our headquarters, 3923 West Beltline Blvd. in Columbia.1990
Keenan Energy
W.J. "Billy" Keenan II became president, and the company became Keenan Energy Company.
1991We became an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company by purchasing 54% of the outstanding company stock.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
We became an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company by purchasing 54% of the outstanding company stock.2003We completed the purchase of the remaining 46% of company stock.
Purchased Remaining Stock
We completed the purchase of the remaining 46% of company stock.2016Our smallest customer uses a 1½ gallon propane tank. Our largest customer has a 1,000,000 gallon backup fuel oil storage tank.
Customers of Every Size
Our smallest customer uses a 1½ gallon propane tank. Our largest customer has a 1,000,000 gallon backup fuel oil storage tank.2016Our company is completely 100% owned by our employees.
We are 100% employee owned!
Our company is completely 100% owned by our employees.2020
Farmers Propane
On August 1, Edisto Gas acquired Farmers Propane and welcomed its customers to the Edisto Gas family.
2021
The Fifth Generation
Joe Keenan became president of Keenan Energy, and his brother Palmer Keenan became president of Edisto Gas.
2025
Family Owned Again
Joe and Palmer Keenan bought out the remaining stockholders, and Keenan Energy is now fully owned by the fifth generation of the Keenan family.
2026
Berkeley Propane
On July 1, Edisto Gas acquired Berkeley Propane Co. from Berkeley Electric Cooperative, expanding our propane service across the Lowcountry.
IN MEMORY
W.J. "Billy" Keenan II
Billy Keenan led Keenan Energy Company as president from 1990 to 2021. He gave the company its name and guided it for more than three decades before handing the business to his sons, Joe and Palmer. The way we take care of our customers, our employees, and our community today carries on what he built.
FAMILY OWNED
Carolina Owned. Not Wall Street.
Keenan Energy is owned outright by fifth-generation Joe and Palmer Keenan. No outside investors, just a Carolina family taking care of Carolina customers, the same way we have for five generations.
ABOUT KEENAN ENERGY