The Wolfberry Chronicle

And Other Tales From The Permian Basin

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Pub Date 01 Nov 2021 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2022

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Description

Since its start in 1969, the family-owned Henry company had been viewed by the Permian Basin oil community as “a little ol’ Spraberry driller,” reliable and determined but quaintly plodding. 

But in summer 2003, the company inconspicuously drilled two wells on picked-over acreage and quietly deployed an experimental “slickwater” frac. Both wells roared to life at high producing rates, and Henry hushed the results and launched a covert land grab ringing the entire basin. 

When reports of their success finally leaked, scores of other operators scrambled into the fray, mustering hundreds of rigs, leasing thousands of acres and eventually producing millions of barrels of oil. Within a decade, the “Wolfberry play” catapulted the Permian Basin to the top of the global oil chart as the vertical program turned sideways into the hot horizontal shale play of today.

The Wolfberry Chronicle tells the Henry tale, from the company’s obscure beginning through its maturing into a stalwart operator, then striking the Wolfberry motherlode before segueing into horizontal expertise. The requisite components are all there—wild wells, big wealth and colorful characters—but also an element of much greater moment: uncommon goodwill.

[Also available in e-book and hardback]

Since its start in 1969, the family-owned Henry company had been viewed by the Permian Basin oil community as “a little ol’ Spraberry driller,” reliable and determined but quaintly plodding. 

But in...


Advance Praise

“With more moral sense, humility, precision, breadth, and good laughs and good writing than most things you’ll read, The Wolfberry Chronicle is not just the history of a company but a history of people, decisions, fortitude, generosity, and the small steps that made Henry Petroleum the pioneer of one of the most important developments in American energy history.” - Gary Sernovitz, The Green and the Black


“Such an entertaining read! “The Wolfberry Chronicle” takes the reader from Jim Henry’s start as a young petroleum engineer faced with a crossroads to his tremendous successes through diligent, honest work. Along the way, Jim and Paula loved the people on their team and wanted them to prosper with them. My husband Clayton and I knew Jim and respected him for his work ethic, his moral compass and his successes over the years. This book reminds me so much of Clayton’s early days of getting started. Each chapter was engaging and enjoyable.” - Modesta Williams, wife of the late West Texas oilman & founder of Clayton Williams Energy, Clayton Williams


“If you have a little knowledge of the oil industry and want to know more from an easy and fun read, this is your book. You’ll understand more about drilling and the business relationships that exist in the industry, learn about partnerships, and how business is done right. And there is the hint of a big payday that you wonder if and when it will happen. I caught myself laughing at times and increased my knowledge of oil exploration. I gained knowledge and had fun doing it.” - Dale G. Delay, Commodity Hedging Consultant, Owner and President of Cost Management Solutions


“Long before it was fashionable 'to do well to do good,’ Jim and Paula Henry embraced that guiding spirit for their family and their (literally) groundbreaking oil and gas company. Read this sublime book to discover the strata of character, gumption, and resilience required to tame 'wolfcamps' and remove darkness and poverty from our world.” - Colin P. Fenton — Chairman of Commodities, Tudor Pickering Holt & Co. and former Global Head of Commodities Research and Chief Commodities Strategist, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.


“Firstly this is NOT a book about oil or the oil business solely. This is truly a must read book for everyone. Berkhouse does the job of a fine tailor weaving a fabric of Christian values, geology, finance, and guts. He threads the history of America, Texas, oil and true American values into one of the best reads for a reader to appreciate the tremendous importance of the Permian Basin. Never does the reader doubt that Jim and Paula Henry will succeed—succeed in business, their marriage, dedication to their employees or Christian values. Truly a book where you root for them to be winners at every twist.” - Vincent J. DiCosimo, entrepreneur and energy executive


“The Wolfberry Chronicle captures two remarkable stories, the rise of the biggest oil basin in the United States and one remarkable company and family that helped make it happen. Not only does it help someone to better understand the oilpatch, it explains how business can be done in a way that makes money and maintains values (“The Henry Way”). A quick, educational and enjoyable read!” - Dan Pickering, founder of Pickering Energy Partners



“With more moral sense, humility, precision, breadth, and good laughs and good writing than most things you’ll read, The Wolfberry Chronicle is not just the history of a company but a history of...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781733186957
PRICE $18.99 (USD)

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