Jim Pryor - President & CEO

Jim Pryor is a lifetime resident of the State of Missouri in the United States. He is a senior member of U.S. oil company CEOs, widowed, and has two adult sons. Self employed in the energy business for more than 35 years, he has acquired vast experience and expertise in nearly every aspect of upstream energy operations.

From 1977-1984 Pryor served as President of Energy Technology Corporation, a Missouri Corporation. The company brought energy related products to consumer markets. The company was sold in anticipation of the formation of Pryor Oil Co., Inc.

In 1984 Pryor founded Pryor Oil Co., Inc, a Missouri corporation, and has served as Chief Executive Officer since that time. The company's primary focus has been on new field discoveries. Since its inception, Pryor Oil has drilled more than 300 wells in four states.  [...read complete bio]

William Abel - Advisory Board

Founder and Corporate President of Abel Engineering & Well Control Co., Bill has provided well control services worldwide for firefighting, capping, relief well operations and high risk toxic gas handling projects since 1984. During the First Gulf War, Bill and his team brought 41 Kuwaiti oil well fires under control in 71 days. Over the past twenty years he has been involved in complex well control operations worldwide, including India, Bangaldesh, Indonesia, China, Angola, Nigeria, Congo, Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Norway, Germany and, of course, the United States. He has created well control management systems and written over 150 blowout contingency plans for worldwide operations. He has taught advanced well control seminars for companies such as Pemex, TOTAL, Mobil, and UNOCAL.

In Loving Memory of Harold Witcher
January 14th, 1929 - July 6th 2016

When Harold passed away we lost not only a member of our Advisory Board but a cherished friend. We are keeping his bio on the site in honor of his incredible record of accomplishments.

Born January 14th, 1929, Oklahoma attorney and former judge Harold Witcher remained active in the oil and gas business until his death on July 6th 2016. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division of the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge after suffering injuries from an explosion. He began his long career in the oil industry by working on oil drilling rigs while also attending college. He acquired a drilling rig and began drilling wells, founding Fault-Line Oil Co., and Bed Rock Oil Co. This was accomplished while still attending college as a full time student. Graduating with a degree in law, he decided to specialize in oil and gas. He also took an interest in politics and, at 20 years of age, became the youngest person ever elected to the Oklahoma Legislature. As a special consultant to major oil companies, Harold traveled throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe, and the Pacific Rim, acquiring vast expertise in international oil and gas negotiations, marketing and development. He earned the respect of not only international companies but governments, as well. He was instrumental in developing Nicaragua's National Hydrocarbon Law, and the discovery of the first two oil fields in Nicaragua. Harold was an amazing source of knowledge, and his input, perspective and friendship were invaluable. We miss him tremendously.