While oil had been known to exist for a long time in the Subcarpathian-Galician region, it is more commonly used as an animal drug and lubricant, but Łukasiewicz is the first person to distill the liquid in Poland and in the world and is able to exploit it for lighting and create a brand new industry.

In autumn of 1852 Łukasiewicz, Mikolasch and his colleague John Zeh had analyzed the oil, which had been provided in a few barrels by traders from the town of Drohobycz.

After pharmaceutical methods and processes, the purified oil was obtained and sold in the local pharmacies, but the orders were small due to high prices.

In early 1854 Łukasiewicz had moved to Gorlice, where he continues his work.

He sets up many companies together with entrepreneurs and landowners.

This same year, he opens the world's first oil "mine" at Bóbrka, near Krosno (still operational as of 2006).

At the same time Łukasiewicz continues his work on kerosene lamps.

Later this year, he will set up the first kerosene street lamp in Gorlice's Zawodzie district.

In subsequent years he will opened several other oil wells, each as a joint venture with local merchants and businessmen.