The University of Tulsa's Petroleum Engineering Department

This month's alumnus, Dr. Ralph Veatch, Jr. has been a long time associate of The University of Tulsa. Ralph's father had been head of the Mathematics Department at TU for over 25 years, and Ralph received all three of his degrees (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.) from TU. After graduating, Ralph briefly taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana before joining Amoco Production Company in Tulsa where he eventually served as Special Research Associate in Drilling, Production and Environmental Technology before retiring in 1993. After retirement, Ralph founded his own company, Software Enterprises, Inc, in which he serves as a president. The company provides consulting in the areas of hydraulic fracturing, well stimulation and completion technologies, as well as develops software in those areas. Ralph has co-authored numerous publications (papers and books) in the area of fracturing and well stimulation. He also is the recipient of many patents. In addition to being a recognized expert in the area of well stimulation, Ralph has served SPE in many capacities including Section Chairman for the Mid-Continent Section and being the SPE Director. For his contributions to SPE, he has won several SPE awards including SPE 2004 Distinguished Service Award, SPE 1989 John Franklin Carll Award and SPE Distinguished Member, Author and Lecturer. In addition to his SPE responsibilities, Ralph continues to serve on our Industrial Advisory Board. His contributions to the Department are well appreciated.

Ralph in his own words

Why did you choose TU?

A very easy choice. In 1954 when the choosing was imminent, Tulsa University had the best petroleum engineering department in the world. My dad was head of the mathematics department and had been a professor at TU since 1932, so I got a significant break on tuition costs. I had a track scholarship which also helped defer my dad's tuition to use for a master's degree later on. I got to live at home in Tulsa and also in the athletic dorm. What else could a person hope for?

How was your education useful in your career?

When I entered the cold, cruel world as a petroleum engineer for Amoco Production Co., I found that my engineering, mathematics and science training at TU stood me very well in comparison to many of my engineering peers in industry. After completing my PhD at TU and entering the high tech world at Amoco's Research Department I found the same in comparison to many of my research peers, not only at Amoco, but also on an industry scale. Tulsa University really gave me the technical tools to be a contributor in my work environments.

Any fond memories?

Oh yes! Lots of them. The camaraderie of the small school promoted a lot of friendships that have lasted for many years. We often share good memories of the past. The quality of the professors and their strict requirements. The way Dr. Guerrero went out of his way to boost (or was it boot?) us along. Engineering Dean Langenheim's despair when the engineers created havoc during engineer's week. Every year he proclaimed "NO MORE ENGINEER'S WEEK!" Every next year - "OKAY, BUT YOU GUYS BEHAVE THIS TIME, OR THERE WON'T BE ANOTHER!". Every year it happened again. And every year there was a next year. During a geology lecture (in the 200 student class) a bunch came through the room with a bass drum, cheering for a walkout after a football win. Dr. Murray yelled, "Get the hell out of here!" and kicked a hole in the drum. That was impressive!

One year during engineers week J. C. (for anonymity) and a group were passing the old McClure gym. The windows to the swimming pool were open and a bunch of athletes were having a swim class. J. C. sneaked up to a window and tossed a handkerchief full of potassium permanganate into the pool. It turned the pool purple, then oxidized the sides to a rich brown. Bad trouble at the next faculty meeting. The engineer's club was subject to pay to clean the pool. That was $10,000 in 1950's dollars. Dr. Murray came to the rescue. "I've been at this university since 1925, and during all the time since I've been here that pool has never been cleaned, and I'll be damned if we're going to make the engineers pay for something that the university should have done years ago!" Whew! Off the hook!