Publisher's Synopsis
Reflecting on his 63 years as a geophysicist in the global petroleum industry, Dallas oilman Al Hrubetz traces his journey from the collapse of coal to the emergence of oil as a driving force in the energy world. The tough times of his Depression-era, coal-town boyhood shaped Hrubetz's daring outlook and devil-may-care acumen for overcoming obstacles in the oilfield and the boardroom. A born leader with patriotic reverence, a wry sense of humor and the calculated intellect of a seasoned gambler, Hrubetz recounts his experiences with vivid precision. His memoir peers into a hardscrabble boyhood, post-WWII Marines, covert oil exploration in Dubai, Guatemala, Alaska and even major U.S. cities, all the while juggling the challenges of moving his growing family across the map. His compelling story tracks the evolution of the oil industry over the decades, as he worked up to the C-suite at large oil companies like CONOCO and Texas Pacific Oil, as well as heading up exploration departments at smaller independent companies. He provides candid insight into hard-won or lost oil deals and the oilmen he encountered along the way. In detailing the specifics of his foray into opening his own Hrubetz Oil Company, Hrubetz lays out the intricate planning that went into launching HOC and keeping it and subsequent oil-related businesses afloat through volatile oil industry twists and turns. Additionally, he spotlights the workings of petroleum industry organizations where he served in leadership roles, further contributing to his prominence in the field. More than a glimpse into the work of a geophysicist, Hrubetz's book escorts the reader into the mind of an authentic innovator who carved a unique niche in the burgeoning world of oil. More than a timeline of oil's evolution in American history, Hrubetz's memoir harks back to a pivotal juncture when the shift in energy changed America forever, and brings it forward, making his story keenly relevant today.
