Michel T. "Mike" Halbouty

Michel T. “Mike” Halbouty was one of the famed Texas “wildcatters” whose foresight about energy and where to find it made him a leader in Texas’ oil business. He was an internationally recognized geoscientist, a benefactor of his alma mater, Texas A&M University, and an author of four books and more than 300 articles on geology and petroleum engineering.

At A&M, he earned a bachelor’s degree in geology in 1930 and a year later a master’s degree in geology. During World War II, he served as an officer in the infantry. In 1945, Halbouty became chief of the petroleum production section of the Army-Navy Petroleum Board.

After the war, Halbouty resumed wildcatting. Among his discoveries were such big Texas producers as the South Boling Field, the Northeast and Northwest extensions of the South Liberty Field, the West Saratoga Field, and the Pheasant Field.

In 1960 he predicted the 1973 oil embargo that produced wearisome lines at gasoline pumps across America. To anyone who would listen, he preached energy self-sufficiency for the nation.

Born 21 June 1909 Beaumont TX

Died 6 November 2004