History of the PBGS: Supplement
The information provided below has been provided by John W. Daniels and is recorded separately since the information covers a lengthy time span and did not fit into the year by year reports of the history portion of this supplement.
When Western-Geco curtailed its acquisition operations in West Texas, it signaled the end of an era in the Permian Basin. Western-Geco was the “surviving” company that had roots to a number of companies that have had representation in West Texas and the PBGS for over 50 years. Ted Schmidt’s “The Permian Basin Geophysical Society –A Historical Narrative”, lists Seismic Explorations, Inc. and Seismograph Service Corporation as some of the contractors listed in the 1950 Midland telephone directory. In the 1955 West Texas Geological Society and Permian Basin Geophysical photo directory, the following ancestors of Western-Geco are listed: General Geophysical, Geophysical Service Inc (GSI), McCollum Exploration Company, Petty Geophysical Company, Seismic Explorations, Inc., Seismograph Service Corporation (SSC), and Western Geophysical Company. Other ancestors include: Geco-Prakla, Ray Geophysical and Texas Seismograph.
Other early companies reached the end of their lineage when Teledyne curtailed operations a few years ago. These companies include Continental Geophysical Inc., Empire Geophysical Inc., Independent Exploration Co., Midland Geophysical Co. and National Geophysical Company, Inc.
Advanced Exploration Co., Republic Exploration Co., Rayflex Exploration Co. and other pioneer companies either, like “old soldiers”, simply faded way or their ancestry has been lost.
Of the contracting companies operating in the Permian Basin 50 years ago, two survive today, one with operations in the area. United Geophysical is now incorporated into Grant Geophysical. Dawson Geophysical Company, our hometown company, is now the only company with roots to the days of West Texas exploration and of your Permian Basin Geophysical Society.
All of these companies and others made significant contributions to the shaping of modern Permian Basin and toward the energy independence of the USA.
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