TED STAGG Ted Stagg played a pivotal role in transforming oil re- covery on Alaska’s North Slope through the successful application of horizontal drilling at Prudhoe Bay. As a drilling engineer with Sohio and later BP in the 1980s and 1990s, Stagg recognized that conventional vertical wells could not fully access the region’s thin, laterally extensive reservoirs. At a time when horizontal drilling was still largely un- proven, Stagg designed and executed some of the North Slope’s earliest horizontal wells—overcoming extreme Arctic conditions, technical uncertainty, and industry skepticism. His work demonstrated that long horizontal laterals could be drilled safely, reliably, and cost-effective - ly, significantly increasing recovery from mature fields. These pioneering efforts added billions of barrels of re - coverable oil, extended the productive life of Prudhoe Bay, reduced surface disturbance, and helped sustain through- put in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. What began as innovation became standard practice.
CHARLES “GIL” MULL A pioneering field geologist, Gil Mull’s work directly contributed to the discovery of the Prudhoe Bay oilfield — the largest conventional oilfield in North America — and helped strengthen U.S. energy security. Arriving in northern Alaska in 1963, Mull spent more than 40 field seasons mapping the Brooks Range and North Slope under challenging Arctic conditions. Working with Richfield Oil Company and later Humble Oil, he played a key role in identifying the petroleum system that led to the 1968 Prudhoe Bay discovery. As a field and wellsite geologist, Mull was present when oil-bearing sandstone from the Sadlerochit Formation con- firmed the existence of a giant oilfield — ultimately esti - mated at 25 billion barrels. Following Prudhoe Bay, Mull dedicated decades to advancing Alaska’s geological knowl- edge through public service. His work with the U.S. Geolog- ical Survey, the Division of Geological & Geophysical Sur- veys and the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas helped expand understanding of Alaska’s resource potential. He authored more than 60 foundational publications, leaving a lasting impact on geological research and resource development in the state. His career reflects a deep commitment to scientific dis - covery, public service and the responsible development of Alaska’s energy resources.
AKOGHS Hall of Fame adds Jansen, Mull, Stagg Photo by Amber Johnson Lynden’s Jim Jansen was honored among the newest members of the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society Hall of Fame during Meet Alaska in March. Dave Haugen, an Alliance board member, highlighted the exceptional achievements of Jansen and fellow inductees Charles “Gil” Mull and Ted Stagg.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society is proud to highlight three new inductees into the AKOGHS Hall of Fame. Here are some of their many accomplishments: JIM JANSEN Jim Jansen’s lifelong leadership helped build the logistical backbone of Alaska’s oil and gas industry. Beginning in 1967 as a Lynden truck driver in Alaska, Jansen gained firsthand experience during the earliest days of North Slope exploration and pipeline development — experience that shaped a career defined by innovation, resilience and long-term vision. Under his leadership, the Lynden Companies expanded from small, remote operations into a fully integrated trans-
portation and logistics enterprise. The company played a critical role in supporting North Slope exploration, con- struction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and decades of oilfield production. Jansen helped pioneer solutions in Arctic trucking, marine transport, aviation logistics, labor strategy, and safety — overcoming the challenges of ex- treme terrain, weather and limited infrastructure. His leadership ensured Lynden’s continued presence in Alaska well beyond pipeline construction and established the company as a cornerstone of oilfield operations, logis - tics, and emergency response. That enduring role reflects Jansen’s commitment to hard work, safety, service and Alaska — values that continue to shape the industry today.
Ted Stagg’s engineering lead- ership permanently changed the course of Alaska oil de- velopment and left a lasting legacy that continues to shape the industry today.
Scan the QR code to visit the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society website and learn more about the Hall of Fame and previous inductees
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THE LINK: The Official Magazine of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance | SUMMER 2026
www.AlaskaAlliance.com
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