Oil flows from energy and ideas, but it takes the right mix of people to put energy and ideas into action. We feel fortunate to have at our core, a team of dependable, experienced people who are devoted to making each well service project a rewarding endeavor for our clients.

Mitchell Drilling is proud of our loyal, experienced, and dedicated staff. Our administrative personnel, our field operations crew, our truck drivers, our mechanics, and our consulting geologist work together like a well-oiled machine to ensure that our clients are well-served and that our company is well-managed.

The safety and health of our people is Mitchell Drilling's number one concern. Ron Wooten, Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for our safety program and policies. Through Ron's diligence, Mitchell Drilling works continually to improve the level of occupational health and safety standards in all of our operations.

Together, with Ron's guidance, our employees are consulted and trained in the maintenance of safety and the prevention of hazards to ensure a safe environment in the field and in the office. The integration of sound drilling practices, human resource management, staff and crew training and development, equipment selection and repair schedules, preventative maintenance procedures, and environmental management in our daily practices has resulted in an excellent safety record.

Mitchell Drilling will not compromise the safety and health of our employees and sub-contractors. The most insignificant detail will be given the utmost consideration if it is a potential threat to the safety and health of our employees.

Testaments to Mitchell Drilling's impeccable safety record have been recognized as far back as 1979 when the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) awarded Mitchell first place for the least amount of loss time accidents on land based rigs in the United States among peer drilling companies. In 1992 Mitchell Drilling received IADC's Bronze Award for Accident Prevention, and most recently, in 1999, Mitchell Drilling was recognized again for their concern for the safety of their employees.

President Theodore Roosevelt once stated, "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions...and spends himself into a worthy cause...who at best, if he wins, knows the thrills of high achievement - and if he fails - at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

George N. Mitchell knows victory and defeat. He was only nine when his family followed the oil boom in 1939 from Seminole, Oklahoma to the Illinois Basin. After two decades of highs and lows, George's father, Thomas A. Mitchell, passed away in December of 1960 leaving a fledgling, one rig drilling company to his family. During the next thirty years, George steered the company through financial difficulties, labor problems, and work shortages building the business into one of the largest and most respected drilling and service companies in the Illinois Basin.

In 1991, Mitchell received the IOGA's Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 1979-1980 he was the recipient of an IOPA Service Award for Tri-State Outstanding Leadership and Industry Statemanship. He is also a member of the KOGA, IOPA, and several other oil and gas related organizations. Mitchell is a founder of the Tri-State Chapter of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. In 1984, Governor James Thompson of Illinois awarded Mitchell the distinction of being the outstanding drilling contractor in the State.

Mitchell served in the U.S. Navy, attended Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, and Lockyear's Business College in Evansville, IN. He is a Shriner and has contributed his time and effort to many local organizations. He is enjoying retirement with his wife, Mary Helen. His greatest achievements, son, Chris, and daughter, Georgia Lynn, have rewarded him with six grandchildren.

Chris graduated in 1977 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, with a Bachelors Degree in Geology. Chris spent his summers and school vacations as a roughneck and rig hand for Mitchell Drilling. He graduated to supervising rigs and participated in completion work on company wells. His background includes field mapping and research work with the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association at Red Lodge, Montana. Currently Chris serves as Geologist and President for Mitchell Drilling.

Chris has served in several official capacities including president of the following associations: the Illinois Geological Society, the Illinois Oil and Gas Association, the Southern Illinois University Geology Club, and the American Institute of Professional Geologists (Indiana/Illinois Chapter). Other industry affiliations include: the Independent Petroleum Association of America (Advisory Board and State of Illinois and Missouri Governer), the Independent Oil Producers Association (Tri-State Chapter Board of Directors), the American Petroleum Institute Division of Production, the International Association of Drilling Contractors, and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He also participated in the 1983 Symposium on Enhanced Oil Recovery, at S.M.U. in Texas, and he is currently Chairman of the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board (IPRB). Chris is also a member of the Indiana Oil and Gas Association.

His community involvement consists of past president of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, Carmi City Council Member and Chairman of the Police Committee and member of First Christian Church. Chris resides in Carmi, Illinois with his wife, Barbara, a Computer Science and High Level Math instructor for the Carmi White County school system. They have three children, Kelly, Megan, and Ryan.

Ron, a Certified Public Accountant, began his career with Mitchell Drilling in 1981 as Chief Financial Officer. Ron graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor Degree in Business and Accounting.

He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, the Illinois Oil and Gas Association, the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, the Independent Oil Producers Association (Tri-State Chapter), and the International Association of Drilling Contractors.

Ron is deeply involved in his community serving as Chairman of the White County 9-1-1 Board, Chairman of the White County Board, County Budget and Insurance Committee member, past Secretary of the Carmi White County Unit 5 School Board, past President and Vice-president of the Carmi High School Alumni Association, a member of the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission Board, Trustee for the First United Methodist Church. He resides with his wife, Melinda, and their two children in Carmi, Illinois.

Carl has comprehensive oil field experience having worked as a driller and a roughneck in the Illinois Basin. Since 1972, Carl has supervised the drilling operations for Mitchell Drilling which includes six rotary drilling rigs and five completion/workover rigs and associated equipment. He has completed several geology courses from the Petroleum Institute at Eastern Illinois University and graduated from the Dresser-Magcobar Drilling Fluids Short Course. Carl is also a Dale Carnegie graduate.

His affiliations include the Illinois Oil and Gas Association, the Independent Oil Producers Association (Tri-State Chaper), and the International Association of Drilling Contractors. Carl resides with his wife in Carmi, Illinois. They have two daughters.