History of the PBGS: Introduction
The year was 1949. Midland (founded as Midway in 1881) was already established as a cattle and trading center by 1900. Now it was a center for oil and gas exploration in the Permian Basin. Most major companies with any interest in this province had established offices. The city was even naming some streets in the “newer” northwest part of town after oil companies such as Stanolind (Amoco), Gulf (Chevron), Humble (Exxon), Shell, Sinclair (ARCO), and Seaboard (Texaco). The Geophysical industry was past the fledgling stage of the early 1930s and 1940s and was becoming the standard mode of detail exploration – especially since the target zones for oil and gas were becoming deeper. The early accounts of exploration activity are well chronicled and available through the Midland County Library and the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, Library and Hall of Fame. The West Texas Geological Society and other professional organizations also have historical records of early exploration and their Society’s activities.
This narrative is concerned primarily with the Geophysical Society and some of the people who played significant parts in the organization and operation of the Society. The listing of officers and the mention of a few names throughout the narrative is intended to accord them thanks for their contribution but is in no way intended to slight the average Society member who never served in an official capacity, but without whose support and attendance, the Society never would have existed and flourished.
The Geophysical Society operated on a calendar year basis from 1950 through 1962 and then adopted a June through May period to place transition of officers in the summer when the Society held no regular meetings. This provided better continuity during the “active” year of the Society. The format is designed to list the officers for the year and begin with the “Historical Background” as written by the President and subsequently published in the joint Directory. The additional comments and historical data are at the discretion of the author.
There is an appendix to this history which attempts to list the geophysical companies that have been active in the Permian Basin since 1949. This list is probably incomplete and some dates are questionable. However, it was believed that some effort should be made to give recognition to these companies and also to trace the historical background of companies in existence today. Anyone with additional information or proper correction to the existing data is encouraged to submit such facts in writing to the PBGS. (Note 2005: This list was never completed)
It was also planned to list the oil companies which operated here – including subsequent mergers – but the task is rather formidable and is still in the working stage.
Finally, I wish to thank the many people who contributed facts, ideas and encouragement for this project. A special thanks to Win Payne, Decker Dawson, John Daniels, Jay Carman and Tom O’Neal for proofing and critiquing the manuscript, and to my wife, Sue, for help in inputting data. The text is currently formatted on the Tandy TRS-80 Model 4D using the WORD48 program. (Note 2005: Now revised to Microsoft Word in Microsoft XP Version.).
The Geophysical Society has always been a close-knit group of “Doodlebuggers” and I hope this feeling will continue. My effort in putting together this History is to acquaint everyone with their Societies’ heritage and hopefully to promote a common bond of friendship among the members.
Ted Schmidt
February, 1988
Next - 1949 | Return to Table of Contents
