H.R. No. 366
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The distinguished career of a respected engineer and
businessman is being honored as Sam Gavin Gibbs of Midland is
inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on April 14, 2011; and
WHEREAS, The Petroleum Hall of Fame, which is based at the
Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in Midland, recognizes individuals
who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the
petroleum industry or who have inspired others through their
achievements, service, or strength of character; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lufkin on June 16, 1932, Sam Gibbs began his
career in 1954 when he joined Shell Oil after graduating from Texas
A&M University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering;
after spending two years in the United States Army, he returned to
Shell but soon went back to A&M to earn a master's degree in
mathematics; he then took a position as a researcher at Shell
Development Company in Houston, simultaneously working on his Ph.D.
in mechanical engineering at Rice University, which he received in
1968; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Gibbs became an expert in sucker rod pumping
technology, the method that is used on approximately four-fifths of
the world's oil wells; he developed mathematical wave equations and
models for designing pumping systems while also serving Shell as a
research associate, head of drilling research, and chief engineer
of the Blue Dolphin Pipeline; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, Mr. Gibbs moved to Midland and started his
own company, Nabla Corporation, the first technical services firm
to commercialize mathematical modeling methods for diagnosing rod
pumping systems; the company also diversified into hydraulic and
submersible pumping systems before Mr. Gibbs sold it in 1997 and
retired from the oil business; and
WHEREAS, A firm believer in giving back to the industry, this
knowledgeable professional is the author of more than two dozen
technical papers and is currently writing a textbook; he holds six
patents and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Pi
scholastic honor societies and the Society of Petroleum Engineers;
and
WHEREAS, Widely admired by his peers, Mr. Gibbs is a
recipient of the J. C. Slonneger Award and Duane A. Crawford Service
Award and was honored as a distinguished lecturer by the Permian
Basin Hall of Fame; in addition, he was given the Production
Engineering Award by the Society of Petroleum Engineers
International and has been nominated for that organization's
Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal; and
WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, he has enjoyed the love and
support of his wife, Margie, his daughters, Sue Ann Gibbs Nelson and
Pamela Kay Gibbs Crockett, and his four grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Through his inspired innovation, Sam Gibbs has
distinguished himself as a successful and influential figure in an
industry that is such a vital part of the Texas economy; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate Sam Gavin Gibbs on his induction
into the Petroleum Hall of Fame and commend him for his many
noteworthy contributions; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Mr. Gibbs as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Craddick
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 366 was adopted by the House on March
3, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House