History
In the over 70 years the company has been active, there have been over 7,500 wells drilled in the Arkoma Basin, and SNR or its subsidiary Stephens Production Company participated in over one-third of those wells. SNR has participated in 15 shelf and 13 deep-water Gulf of Mexico wells and is a minority owner in the Delta House Floating Production System
SPC begins to deploy gas and air rotary drilling techniques permitting the development of deeper gas production in the Arkoma Basin. SPC begins development of the Cecil and Aetna gas fields, significantly increasing the company’s production in the Arkoma Basin. S.R. Walker becomes President
Prior to 1944, W.R. “Witt” Stephens, Sr. purchases Western Oklahoma Gas Company, a natural gas exploration and production company. Through a series of acquisitions and mergers, Stephens combines Western Oklahoma Gas Company, then known as Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Company, with Fort Smith Gas Corporation, which he had acquired nine years prior. Stephens merges the distribution properties under the name Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation (AOG) and combines the production assets under the name of Stephens Production Company (a business), jointly owned by Witt and his brother, Jack Stephens
The Stephens family partners with S.R. Walker, who is named president of SPC and AOG, beginning a relationship with the Walker family that would span three generations and continues today
SPC begins exploring other areas of the Arkoma Basin with significant reserves being found in the Hunton formation.
SPC also initiates its industrial and commercial parks with its first sale to Standard Brands (Planters Peanuts)
Increasing natural gas prices generate significant additional drilling in the Arkoma Basin allowing SPC to continue the expansion of natural gas production in the Basin
SPC and AOG begin to operate independent of each other to pursue separate strategic objectives. W.R. Walker remains president of SPC
SPC participates in wells in the deep Anadarko Basin in western Oklahoma
Witt Stephens, Jr. is appointed Chairman, a role he maintains to this day
William S. Walker, the third generation of Walker family leadership of SPC, becomes President of the Company, and remains President until June, 2019. He is now Senior Advisor and Manager of Real Estate for SPC
The Company opens an office in Denver to explore and develop oil and gas interests in the western half of the continental U.S.
The Company acquires Gragg Field from Reynolds Metals expanding Middle Atoka production in the southern portion of the Arkoma Basin.
SPC begins exploration in South Texas and South Louisiana.
Calypso participates in its first Gulf of Mexico prospect
The Company opens its Houston office as it hires a team to focus on building its Gulf of Mexico asset base
SPC acquires Bakken acreage in McKenzie and Dunn Counties, North Dakota
Calypso Exploration expands its offshore GOM footprint by taking positions in the Vermilion Area on the shelf and with LLOG in the Delta House Project in the deep-water Mississippi Canyon Area
Stephens Natural Resources is formed as the new parent company of SPC and Calypso Exploration
The Witt Stephens family sells Arkansas Oklahoma Gas after owning the business for nearly 70 years
John D. Ford, III is named President and CEO of Stephens Natural Resources, LLC and Stephens Production Company
The headquarters for Stephens Natural Resources, LLC and Stephens Production Company moves to The Woodlands, TX
Stephens Williston, LLC d/b/a SEG Williston, LLC is formed and focuses on opportunities in North Dakota
Sam Hall is promoted to President of Stephens Natural Resources, LLC and Stephens Production Company. John Ford, III remains as CEO.
Recap
In the over 70 years the company has been active, there have been over 7,500 wells drilled in the Arkoma Basin, and SNR or its subsidiary, Stephens Production Company, have participated in over one-third of those wells. SNR has participated in 15 shelf and 13 deep-water Gulf of Mexico wells and is a minority owner in the Delta House Floating Production System