President-Elect 2003-04 — Patrick J.F. Gratton

Patrick J.F. Gratton

• Independent Geologist and President, Patrick J.F. Gratton Inc., Dallas.
• Born August 28, 1933, Denver.

Academic Training:

• 1951-1953 — United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn.
• 1953-1956 — University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, B.S. in geology, 1955, M.S. in geology, 1958

Experience:

• 1954 — Geologic trainee, summer employee, Magnolia Petroleum Corporation, Roswell, N.M.
• 1955 — Field geologist, summer employee, Westvaco Mineral Development Corporation, Grants, N.M.
• 1956 — Geologist, Utah Construction and Mining Corporation, Denver
• 1956-1957 — United States Army, six months active duty
• 1957-1958 — Geologist, Shell Oil Company, Roswell, N.M.
• 1958-1959 — Geologist, Shell Oil Company, Houston; Santa Fe, N.M.; Del Rio, Texas
• 1959-1962 — Geologist, Shell Oil Company, Tyler, Texas
• 1962-1964 — Administrative assistant to exploration vice president, Delhi-Taylor Oil Corporation, Dallas
• 1964-1965 — Consulting geologist, Dallas
• 1966 — Geological manager, Capitan Inc., Dallas
• 1967-1970 — Partner and operations manager, Nearburg Oil Properties, Dallas
• 1970-Present — Independent geologist, Dallas
• 1976-Present — President, Patrick J.F. Gratton Inc., Dallas

AAPG Activities:

• Member since 1960; DPA (1966); EMD (1977); DEG (1992)' Certifled Petroleum Geologist #162
• 1976-1978 — Group Insurance Committee
• 1978-1981 — House of Delegates
• 1979-1982 — Distinguished Lecture Committee
• 1981-Present — Visiting Petroleum Geologist/Visiting Geologist Program (except 1989)
• 1988-1989 — President-Elect DPA
• 1989-1990 — President DPA; Advisory Council member (ex-officio)
• 1990-1992 — Nominating and Registration Committees (DPA)
• 1991-1996 — Long Range Planning Committee (DPA)
• 1991-1993 — House of Delegates Constitution and Bylaws Committee
• 1992-Present — Governmental Affairs Committee (DPA)
• 1992-1993 — House of Delegates chair Constitution and Bylaws Cominittee
• 1993-1995 — Co-chair Certified Coal Geologist Cominittee (DPA)
• 1993-1996 — Advisory Board (DEG)
• 1994 — Instant Response Committee (DPA)
• 1994-1995 — House of Delegates chair International Member Participation Committee
• 1996-1997 — Chairman of House of Delegates
• 1996-Present — Trustee Associates member
• 1997-1999 — House of Delegates Newsletter Committee, chair, Dallas delegates group
• 1998-Present — House of Delegates Newsletter Committee
• 1998-1999 — Budget Review Committee
• 1998-1999 — Candidate President-Elect
• 1999-2000 — Chair House of Delegates ad hoc Procedures (aka Operations) Committee
• 1999-Present — Visiting Geologist Committee (vice chair 1999-2000; chair 2000-2003)

Affiliated and Associated Societies and Sections:

• Dallas Geological Society
• Houston Geological Society
• New Mexico Geological Society
• Roswell Geological Society
• Vice president Southwest Section, 1976-1977
• Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists (#412, newsletter editor, director, vice president and president in mid- to late 1970s; and vice president of SIPES Foundation, 1982)

Other Professional Affiliations:

• Sigma Gamma Epsilon; Phi Kappa Phi
• American Institute of Professional Geologists #2860;
• Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners director and executive committee
• Texas Producers Advisory Group vice chair and Petroleum Technology Transfer Council alternate director (1994-1997)
• Texas Oil and Gas Forum/Texas Railroad Commission Data Project 95
• Dallas Energy Council vice president (1990-1991)

Honors and Awards:

• Professional Service Award (Dallas Geological Society, 1982)
• Public Service Award (Dallas Geological Society, 1985)
• Centennial Distinguished Alumnus (University of New Mexico, 1989)
• Outstanding Service Award (Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists, 1990)
• Life Member (DPA, 1993)
• Distinguished Service Award (AAPG, 1998)
• Honorary Member (Society of Independent Professional Earth Scientists, 1998)
• Honorary Member (Dallas Geological Society, 1999)
• Honorary Life Member (HOD, 2000)
• Honorary Member (AAPG, 2002)
• Outstanding Service Award (Dallas Geological Society, 2002)
• Community and Civic Affairs:
• Caswell Silver Foundation director (1984-1988 and 1995-present)
• National Association of Corporate Directors (1986-1988)
• Explorers Club (fellow) and Texas chapter chair (1987-1988)
• National Alliance for Mentally Ill
• University of New Mexico Foundation Inc. director (1992-2000)
• Publications (Including Abstracts):
• "Several ground rules can aid search for Smackover"
• "San Andres Permian oil most active in state" (with W.J. LeMay)
• "San Andres oil east of the Pecos" (with W.J. LeMay)
• "Pennsylvanian trends of northern Chaves County, New Mexico"
• "Factors affecting United States oil and gas outlook" (contributor)
• "Earth scientist productivity"
• "Self-employment for geologists"
• "Acquiring and improving small producing properties"
• "Effects of government policies on United States exploration and production"
• "Federal and State incentives for oil and gas producers' editor"

Why I Accepted the Invitation To Be a Candidate For AAPG Office

I appreciate the opportunity to be a candidate for president-elect of the Association. Being a candidate in itself is an honor. As a member I have greatly benefited from the Association. AAPG has helped me be a better geologist and a more effective professional. It has also allowed me to develop a wide range of friends who have also gained much from the Association.

When the Association was founded 85 years ago its activities were focused on regular publication of a bulletin, annual meetings and liaison with local geological societies in the United States. Because of outstanding leadership, efficient staff and strong membership participation, the Association has grown into a much wider ranging organization. With members in over 125 countries, 30-plus committees and three divisions engaged in a multitude of activities, AAPG enhances the scientific, professional and business aspects of geoscientists worldwide. With help from members and staff I would like to contribute to this continuing expansion of service to AAPG members, the science of geology and the industries dependent upon the application of earth science.