History

In the late 1980s, a group of producers met to establish an association called Save Our Strippers. Using the foresight of experience and raw data demonstrating the dramatic declines in crude oil production, the group expanded the idea of an association into the creation of a state agency dedicated to the advocacy of preserving our state's number one natural resource - one that had reached an age of maturity that would require special attention for years to come.

In 1992, the Oklahoma Legislature responded with the passage of Senate Bill 684, now Title 52 O.S. Section 700. The bill allowed a voluntary fee to be collected by the Oklahoma Tax Commission from the revenue stream of oil and gas production with the proceeds underwriting the efforts of a new state agency. The Oklahoma Commission on Marginally Production Oil and Gas Wells was born. SAVE OUR STRIPPERS remains the logo of today's Marginal Well Commission (MWC) as a reminder of the dedicated producers that advocated the creation of the agency.

The Governor appoints nine Commissioners selected from the oil, gas and royalty owner associations, Osage County and members from the four districts of the Corporation Commission. The Commissioners have established standing committees and created an Advisory Council to gain the maximum diversity in information and experience.

The MWC elected John A. Taylor as its first chairman, and he held the position for six terms. In 1999, Bill Bryan became the MWC's chairman, followed by Steven Goetzinger in 2000, Charles "Chuck" Davis in 2001, John Godwin in 2002 and 2005, Michael Krenger in 2003, Steve Slawson in 2004, A. Hearne Williford through 2008, and James Beyl in 2009. As of January 2010, David Guest is the Chairman of the Commissioners.

See the Calendar for a list of upcoming Commissioner and Advisory Council meetings. All meetings are open to the public and guests are encouraged to attend.

The Commission is staffed by an Executive Director, Public Affairs Officer, Public Information Officer, and Administrative Assistant.

Formed to meet the emergency in which the State of Oklahoma finds itself today - the possible plugging and abandonment of more than 69,000 marginal wells which produce approximately three-fourths of all oil produced in Oklahoma.