American Oil and Gas Reporter - October 2015 - 28

IndustryDigest
national security implications of being
an Arctic nation, the long history of
exploration and development in the
region, and the scientific and
technological advancements that allow
for safe energy development.
"The national discussion about
energy development in the Arctic often

is lacking in factual understanding of
issues that ultimately have an impact on
the rest of the country," says IPAA
President and CEO Barry Russell. "The
Arctic Energy Center is working to
change this."
The Arctic Energy Center's website
is www.arcticenergycenter.com. r

Harold Hamm Receives Wildcatter Of Year Honor

DENVER-The Western Energy
Alliance honored Harold G. Hamm as
the 2015 Wildcatter of the Year at its
Sept. 12 gala, held at the Hyatt
Regency Convention Center in Denver.
The Alliance says it recognized
Hamm for his leadership as head of
Continental Resources Inc. for 48
years, as well as his contributions to
charity and the community. Hamm has
served as chief executive officer at
Continental since 1967, and now serves
as chairman of the board of directors.
The title Wildcatter of the Year is
reserved for the most prominent leaders
in the western oil and natural gas
industry, whose entrepreneurial spirit
and exploratory work in new fields
have contributed significantly to the
country's energy security and the
betterment of society, the Alliance says.
Hamm began working in the oil
industry as a teenager, and established
Continental when he was 21. The
company today is the largest
leaseholder and one of the largest

Harold G. Hamm poses with the 2015
Wildcatter of the Year Award after its presentation by the Western Energy Alliance

28 THE AMERICAN OIL & GAS REPORTER

producers in the Bakken play of North
Dakota and Montana. It also has
significant positions in Oklahoma, the
Alliance notes.
In addition to his role at
Continental, Hamm co-founded and
serves as chairman of the Domestic
Energy Producers Alliance. He also is a
past member of the Board of Directors
of the North Dakota Petroleum
Council, past chairman and presently a
director of the Oklahoma Independent
Petroleum Association, and a founding
board member of the Oklahoma Energy
Resources Board. Hamm also has
served as president of the National
Stripper Well Association and
chairman of Save Domestic Oil Inc.
In addition to his industry
leadership, the Alliance says Hamm
has remained active in promoting
health and education. He has donated
more than $30 million to establish the
Harold Hamm Diabetes Center at the
University of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center, and established the
Harold Hamm International Prize for
Biomedical Research in Diabetes, a
$250,000 biennial award celebrating
the scientific achievements of medical
researchers.
"Harold's rise to success is uniquely
American, from his first truck hauling
water to the oil field, to making the
Bakken a household name," praises
Alliance President Tim Wigley. "Peers
and competitors agree, he formed and
has led a company that has been a
model for success over several
decades, through both economic booms
and difficult downturns.
"His tremendous impact on our
industry and record of service to the
community, combined with his
personal integrity and no-nonsense
approach, make him an ideal and
deserving recipient of the Wildcatter of
the Year Award." r

NDPC Presents $18,000
In Al Golden Scholarships

BISMARCK, N.D.-The North
Dakota Petroleum Council has awarded
$18,000 from the Al Golden
Scholarship Fund to nine students
pursuing post-secondary educations in
geology, engineering, processing plant
technology, science, technology, or
other industry-related careers.
NDPC notes that this year it was able
to award $2,000 scholarships to nine
recipients. The association started the
fund in 2008, and named it in honor of
Al Golden, a North Dakota oil pioneer
and the first member of the NDPC's
Hall of Fame.
"Despite the downturn in oil and gas
prices, the industry still requires a
skilled, educated workforce, especially
as more employees reach retirement
age," NDPC President Ron Ness says.
"The Bakken is a multigenerational
play, and we will need these future
energy leaders to create new
technologies and methods for the
benefit of our industry, economy, and
energy security."
According to Ness, the 2015 Al
Golden Scholarships recipients are:
* Kayleigh Alme, a freshman at
North Dakota State University studying
geology;
* Ashley Bohrer, who received her
associate's degree at Bismarck State
College, and is continuing her studies in
chemical engineering at the University
of North Dakota;
* William Eerdmans, a senior
attending the University of North
Dakota for a degree in petroleum
engineering;
* Gabriel Ferragut, a North Dakota
State University junior pursuing degrees
in physics and geology;
* Steven Giesler, who is a junior at
North Dakota State University
specializing in geotechnical
engineering;
* Tanner Hopfauf, who is a
sophomore studying petroleum
engineering at the University of North
Dakota;
* Nicholas Hugo, a senior level
geology and biology major at North
Dakota State University;
* Sean Ternes, a senior at North
Dakota State University majoring in
geology; and
* Wade Rath-Wald, who graduated
American Oil and Gas Reporter - October 2015

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