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> Michel T. Halbouty > Remembered
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Peers Remember the Legend Halbouty:
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Michel Halbouty was a man blessed with many special talents -- a dedicated leader, a dynamic speaker, a respected and ingenious explorationist, a spokesman for the oil industry in general and for petroleum exploration in particular. He was the ultimate optimist -- he seldom saw a new prospect that he didn't like! My initial contact with Mike came over 50 years ago, when I first heard the words, "Larry, I need a good farm-out!" Those words were repeated many times over the years until, after a series of rather dismal dry holes, he advised me that I owed him a farm-out of an inside location! Mike had a strong impact on my participation in AAPG activities. He asked me to take on a number of jobs in the organization; it was impossible to convince him that "no" was an acceptable answer. His many years of supporting and enhancing AAPG's role as the world's leading exploration association were legendary. I particularly laud him for his leadership in creating and organizing the AAPG Foundation, one of the Association's strengths. We all will miss Mike. His energy, his thirst for finding new oil fields and for encouraging other geologists to do the same, and his willingness to speak for the industry were contributions that ensure him a very special place in the annals of exploration geology.
During my years as executive director of AAPG I traveled extensively to meetings in the United States and around the world and found that wherever petroleum geologists gathered, the name of Mike Halbouty almost always came up in discussions. He was, indeed, a legend in his own time, beginning at Spindletop and continuing until his death. One citationist referred to him as the "quintessential wildcatter." When the funds were available, he drilled a hole in the earth. Many of them were discoveries. I was with Mobil in Houston in 1972 when the AAPG offered me the executive director's job. Morgan Davis Sr., then in Houston, was a Foundation Trustee and interviewed me for the additional job as director of the AAPG Foundation. Morgan, a former chairman of Humble Oil, suggested "before you go up to Tulsa, you should have a visit with Mike Halbouty." Mike granted my request when I called, and I went to see him in his old building on the grounds of what was being developed as the Galleria shopping center on Westheimer. I was greeted by Mary Stewart, his administrative assistant and secretary who was still with him at the time of his death. Mary ushered me into the "living legend's" office. He had been president of AAPG in 1966-67, and let me know that AAPG was a very important organization to him. He said, "Fred, if the Association ever needs help, just let me know." In the years to come, he kept his promise. He never lacked for ideas of what would make AAPG a better organization.
If ever there was a man firm in his convictions, it was Mike Halbouty. He could be for you or against you at different times, and equally strong. There was never equivocation on his part, and if he had doubts he kept them to himself. His dedication to his profession and business was fierce and his energy was full. It will be a long while, if ever, that this Association and the profession of petroleum geology again sees the likes of Mike Halbouty. His tracks are deep and lasting.
Mike had tough exterior, but was always very warm and thoughtful. He was a true friend and a loyal supporter of both the AAPG Association and Foundation.
The words dynamic, innovative, passionate are words that ordinarily belong to the young. Mike Halbouty retained those qualities all his life. I hope I can be like Mike ... when I grow up.
Mike Halbouty was one of those petroleum businessmen-geologists with a truly electric personality. Any time I was around him, I always felt that something big was going to happen -- that he was about to unleash a revelation. He accomplished many things in his long life, but to me, he was the consummate explorer, whether for petroleum or pure science. Whenever I was prospecting around the country, I always was amazed that out in the middle of nowhere, I would find a well drilled by Mike Halbouty. He was a great supporter of AAPG, and a true wildcatter. We will miss him.
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The passing of
Mike Halbouty is not the start of a legend. He has been recognized
for many years as a living legend in the field of petroleum exploration.
Mike's been an inspiration to many young -- and once young -- geologists
to work hard, persevere and win in this great scientific game of
finding oil and gas.