Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: Steven W. Nance
Steven W. Nance

Steven W. Nance

Distinguished Engineer

1998

Degree

Petroleum Engineering – 1978

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1998

A 1978 graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Steven W. Nance currently serves as President and chief Executive Officer of XPLOR Energy.

After his graduation, he joined Superior Oil Company, serving in various staff engineering assignments in production, drilling, and reservoir engineering. In early 1985, he moved to Mobil Oil Company. In August of 1985 he joined Burlington Resources/Meridian Oil Inc. as the Regional Production Engineer. In 1987, he was promoted to Drilling Manager; in 1988, he became the Engineering Manager, and in 1991 was promoted to Director of Strategic Planning and Development. In 1993, he became Vice President and Chief Engineer and in 1994 became the Vice President for the Offshore Region Business Unit. In 1996 he was promoted to Vice President for the Gulf Coast Division Business Unit, which included Onshore Gulf Coast and Offshore Gulf of Mexico. In 1997, he moved to Araxas Energy Corporation as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and in June of that year, became the President and Chief Executive Officer.

In September of 1997, he became responsible for the business operations and financial results of XPLOR Energy, Inc., a Gulf Coast based exploration and production company. XPLOR Energy, Inc. resulted from a successful merger of two exploration companies with similar focus and philosophies, and a geophysical consulting firm.

He is a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers, the American Petroleum Institute, Independent Petroleum Association of America, and the Houston Producers Forum. In 1988 he was recognized as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America and was inducted into the Academy of Petroleum Engineering at Tech in 1995. He is a member of the Petroleum Engineering Industrial Advisory Board and currently serves of Chairman of that Board.

Steve Nance is an active participant in community and industry functions and fundraisers. He is a member of the Board of Directors for The Center for the Performing Arts in The Woodlands, a former member of The Woodlands Living Arts Council, and has served on various civic and church committees. He formed the Steele Creek Investment Company where he, his wife Elaine, and children Kristen and Michael are actively involved in the breeding and training of Holsteiner and Quarter horses. He is a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the American Holsteiner Association.

It is a genuine pleasure for Texas Tech University to name Steven W. Nance Distinguished Engineer.

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