Photo by Adam Herrera
Mick’s considerable legacy includes the opening of Jonah Field, one of the most significant on-shore natural gas discoveries in the second half of the 20th century. The oil and gas field was first drilled in the 1930s, but these attempts were unsuccessful. McMurry Oil Co. rediscovered it in the 1990s.
This small oil company recognized the changing demand for energy and for “clean fuel.” Because the price of natural gas was low at the time, gas leases were inexpensive. They purchased three wells in 1991 from the Presidio Oil Co., which had not shown much promise, along with mineral leases on 25,000 BLM acres in the Jonah area.
Jonah Field’s natural gas occurs in tight rock formations. It could only be extracted with new technology that would allow free flow of the gas through the formation—called hydraulic fracturing. A well must first be drilled, and then the formations are broken and cracked with fluid or compressed gas that is forced at high pressure down the well to create channels for gas to flow. Solid material is mixed in the fracturing fluid in order to prop the channels open.
With the help of fracturing, the three wells produced two million cubic feet of natural gas per day, and this success encouraged further drilling. The company purchased more BLM gas leases, including some in the Pinedale Anticline north of Jonah Field, and more pipelines were built.
McMurry Oil Co.’s successful extraction of natural gas from Jonah Field is heralded as one of the most significant natural gas developments in continental North America in the second half of the 20th century—a turning point because of the enormous amount of production opened up by the new technologies. As a consequence, millions of tax dollars have been pumped into the Wyoming economy, which supports infrastructure, government and the university.
“Mick was so kind with his time, effort, service and resources,” says Brent Hathaway, dean of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas Lee Business School and former dean of the UW College of Business. “I was blessed to have Mick as a mentor, and he and Susie continue to inspire my efforts in higher education through their passionate desire to help the next generation of leaders. Hard work, integrity, innovation, entrepreneurial success, leadership and selfless service best describe Mick’s work, impact upon others and legacy.”
In 1998, the McMurrys established the McMurry Foundation, with the mission of building a better Wyoming and “paying it forward.” The goal of the foundation is a significant and beneficial impact on the communities within Wyoming by investing in innovative ventures, as well as establishing community programs that have the potential to make a lasting difference. The values of excellence and compassion guide the work of the McMurry Foundation. Trudi serves as director.
Through their foundation, the McMurrys have provided significant support to many projects and organizations throughout Wyoming. In its first 15 years, the McMurry Foundation awarded more than $49 million.
“Hopefully, this isn’t for several generations, but we believe we want the money to be committed when we’re gone,” McMurry told the Casper Star-Tribune in 2013. “Private foundations struggle when future generations bear the obligation, because they’re not as committed.”
In 2003, Mick was honored as Outstanding Community Member by the Boys and Girls of Central Wyoming. The McMurrys were recognized by the Associated Parents of the University of Wyoming as Wyoming Family of the Year in 2002 and received the UW President’s Cornerstone Award in 2005 and the UW Medallion Service Award in 2007. Susie received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Education in 2004, and Mick was honored as a College of Business Distinguished Alumni in 2006. In 2010, Mick received the Distinguished Alumni Award from UW.
|
2/3 |