A brief History of the Eastern Kansas Oil & Gas Association

Eastern Kansas Oil & Gas Association was founded in 1957 by a group of independent producers to promote the interests of oil and gas production in Eastern Kansas.  James O. Couch, James E. Guinotte, Dee A. Hampton, Gordon J. Willis, Carl Weiner, Sr., and Kenneth C. Keas were alarmed at the actions by the 1957 Kansas legislature and decided to do something about it.  Their example was shortly followed by other interested individuals which led to the establishment of the first nucleus of a group which became to be known as Eastern Kansas Oil & Gas Association.  The first grassroots meeting was attended by 96 people, including producers, service and supply people, royalty owners, refiners, and individuals of related businesses.

The purpose of the new organization was "to promote, further and enhance the interests of all segments of the oil and gas industry, in Eastern Kansas, including interests of royalty owners, and all other persons directly or indirectly affected by such operations.  To collect and disseminate information affecting the welfare and activities of all the oil and gas industry in Eastern Kansas..."

The first annual meeting was held in September of 1957.  There were approximately 400 members, with nearly 1,000 members the following year.  EKOGA has maintained its objectives, through the boom and bust years, of keeping producers in Eastern Kansas informed and employing a full-time lobbyist to represent the organization in Topeka.

Kansas Legislative Information

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Workforce Training Opportunities

Enhancement of the oil & gas  industry in Eastern Kansas:

Recently,  Kansas has seen the development of renewed gas exploration and production in Eastern Kansas.  Commonly referred to as Coal Bed Methane (CBM), to find out more information on CBM, click here.  There are approximately 1774 recognized CBM wells in Kansas.  Of those, more than 970 of them are producing coal bed gas currently.

Production Statistics for the State of Kansas:

2005 Oil Production-  22,239,036 Barrels from 40,938 wells.

2005 Gas Production-  249,715,237 mcf from 19,602 wells.

*2005 production numbers as of December 8, 2005.

2005 Production Statistics can be found here.

Production Statistics 2004 can be found here. 

Bob Thomas- President  (Past Presidents)

2007 EKOGA Board

Shari Ratliff-Executive Secretary

Upcoming Oil & Gas Events

Past EKOGA Presidents:  Bob Eberhart (2005-2007); P.J. Buck (2003-2005); Doug Evans (2001-2003); Stanton Ross(1998-2001); Jeff Dale (1996-1998); David Bleakley (1994-1996); Nicholas Powell (1992-1994); Paul Simpson (1991); Kelly Maclaskey (1991); Richard Pearce (1989-1991); Walker Hendrix (1987-1989); Lawrence Tenk (1985-1987); Bob Barnett (1983-1985); Donald Boyer (1980-1983); John David (1978-1980); Edsel Noland (1976-1978 & 1968-1969); Paul Simpson (1974-1976); John Richard (1972-1974); Ray Anderson, Jr. (1970-1972); Marvin Boyer (1969-1970); Bert Young (1967-1968); H.A. Alcock (1966-1967); James Guinotte (1964-1965); Roscoe Mendenhall (1964-1965 & 1959-1960); Earl Sauder (1963-1964); William McKnab (1962-1963); Mack Colt (1961-1962); Chris Sheedy (1960-1961); Albain Bailey (1958-1959); James Coach (1957-1958); Kenneth Keas (1957)