88R8469 BPG-D
By: Craddick H.C.R. No. 18
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Eastland Oil Company of Midland is celebrating
the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023; and
WHEREAS, A privately held exploration and production
company, the business traces its roots to the A. M. Donnelly
Drilling Company, established by Arthur Matthew Donnelly; he began
his career about 1891, working for the Standard Oil Company and
operating a gas distribution system in upstate New York; following
the turn of the century, he set out for Oklahoma with his family;
and
WHEREAS, The company drilled wells in Kansas and Oklahoma
before establishing its first Texas wells in Denton County in 1914;
that year, it also contracted with Mid-West Oil to drill in the
Artesia Field in New Mexico; four years later, it began operations
in Eastland County, where it discovered the Martin Field;
A. M. Donnelly then incorporated the firm as the Eastland Oil
Company; and
WHEREAS, Eastland moved its headquarters to Fort Worth in
1924; after World War II, George Donnelly Jr., a geologist, opened
an office in Monahans; he mapped much of the Permian Basin and
initiated the company's efforts in the development of numerous
fields across the region; in 1977, Eastland Oil relocated to
Midland; and
WHEREAS, Today, Eastland Oil operates more than 60 wells in
West Texas and eastern New Mexico; through the years, the company's
leadership has demonstrated its commitment to the industry through
important roles in such institutions as the Bureau of Economic
Geology, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Foundation, and the Petroleum Museum; current president Robert R.
"Robin" Donnelly represents the fourth generation to guide the
firm, and his son, Garrett Donnelly, has served as vice president
since 2018; and
WHEREAS, The Eastland Oil Company has made significant
contributions to the Permian Basin over the course of its long
history, and it stands as an inspiring example of the success that
can be realized by hardworking, visionary entrepreneurs in the Lone
Star State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby congratulate the Eastland Oil Company on its centennial and
extend to all those associated with the firm sincere best wishes for
continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the company as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives and Senate.