On April 29, 1931, Mack C. Chase was born — a future oil and natural gas entrepreneur who would become one of the most successful independent operators in the Permian Basin. Chase began working in oilfields at just 14 years old, gaining firsthand experience in drilling and production before eventually launching his own ventures in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas.
Over the decades, Chase built a portfolio that included thousands of producing wells and extensive acreage across the Permian Basin, one of the most prolific oil provinces in U.S. history. By the early 21st century, the Permian was producing millions of barrels of oil per day, and Chase's companies were major contributors to the region's sustained output growth. His business success made him one of the wealthiest individuals in New Mexico, and he became widely known for philanthropic contributions supporting education, healthcare, and community development.
