You don't usually expect to find a world-class art gallery tucked inside a functional oil and gas office in West Texas. But if you walk into the headquarters of Arrington Oil & Gas Operating LLC on Wall Street, that's exactly what you get. David Arrington Midland TX isn't just another name in the Permian Basin; he’s the guy who managed to merge the gritty, high-stakes world of wildcatting with the delicate, monochromatic precision of Ansel Adams.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip. One minute you're talking about horizontal laterals and frack jobs, and the next, you’re staring at a mural-sized print of Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico. Arrington is a self-made independent who’s been at this since the mid-80s. He’s survived the busts, ridden the booms, and somehow built the world’s largest private collection of Ansel Adams photography along the way.
Why David Arrington Midland TX Still Matters in the Permian
Midland is a town of "independents." These aren't the giant, faceless corporations like Exxon or Chevron; these are the guys who use their own capital and take massive risks on a gut feeling. David Arrington moved here in 1984, fresh out of Texas Tech with a finance degree. He didn't have a family legacy in oil. He just had the drive.
By 1984, the "glory days" of the early Permian were supposedly fading, but Arrington saw something others missed. He started David H. Arrington Oil & Gas and began drilling around the edges of town.
The "Fly Fishing" Connection
If you look at the names of his wells, you’ll notice something quirky. They aren't named after Greek gods or generic numbers. They’re named after trout flies.
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- The White Wing Coachman
- Royal Wulff
- Blue-Winged Olive
Arrington is an avid fly fisherman. He’s joked that it’s one of the few things that requires the same level of patience as waiting for a well to come in. This personal touch is classic Arrington. It’s a reminder that even in a billion-dollar industry, the people running the show are still individuals with hobbies and obsessions.
The Paradigm Shift: From Vertical to Horizontal
The real turning point for Arrington came with the shale revolution. He was one of the early pioneers in the Barnett Shale in North Texas. He reportedly made nearly $900 million there before bringing that expertise—and that capital—back home to Midland.
He didn't just sit on his wins. In 2013, he saw the potential for horizontal drilling right under the city of Midland itself. This was a "manly" play, as he once called it—risky, expensive, and technically demanding. We’re talking about wells that go down 10,000 feet and then turn sideways for miles.
Urban Drilling Challenges
Drilling under a city isn't like drilling in the middle of a desert. You have to deal with sound walls, city ordinances, and nervous neighbors.
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- The Cemetery Incident: Arrington once recounted a story about drilling near a cemetery in Kermit back in '95. A widow asked if they could shut the rig down during the funeral. It’s incredibly expensive to stop a rig, but he did it.
- The "Midland Project": He eventually leased up thousands of acres under the city. It involved negotiating with over 7,000 different mineral owners.
The Ansel Adams Obsession
Most people know him for the oil, but the art world knows him for his "Grand Vision." Arrington started collecting Ansel Adams in 1993. It wasn't a business move or an investment strategy at first; it was a passion. He even calls himself a "photographer trapped in an oilman’s body."
His collection grew to over 600 prints. At one point, his office was so packed with art that employees were encouraged to pick their favorite Adams print to hang in their own workspace.
The 2020 Sotheby’s Auction
In December 2020, Arrington did something that shocked the art world. He put a huge chunk of his collection up for auction at Sotheby’s. It was a massive event.
- Total Sales: Over $6.4 million.
- The "Holy Grail": A mural-sized print of The Grand Tetons and the Snake River sold for nearly $1 million.
- Why sell? He basically said it was time for the next person to feel the joy he had felt for decades.
What Most People Get Wrong About Independent Producers
There’s a stereotype that oilmen are just out for the cash. But when you look at David Arrington's footprint in Midland, it’s more complex. He’s deeply involved in the community, often donating to local causes without much fanfare.
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He’s also a teacher at heart. His father was a principal, and his mother was a teacher. Arrington often goes on tour with his remaining collection, lecturing at museums and universities (like his alma mater, Texas Tech) about the intersection of technology, art, and nature.
Actionable Insights for the Permian Professional
If you’re looking at the career of someone like David Arrington Midland TX, there are a few real-world takeaways:
- Niche Expertise Wins: He didn't try to compete with the majors everywhere. He focused on the Permian and the Barnett, becoming an expert in specific "resource plays."
- Adapt or Die: He moved from vertical drilling to horizontal tech before it was the industry standard.
- Humanity Matters: Whether it's naming wells after fishing lures or pausing a rig for a funeral, the "independent" spirit is about more than just the bottom line.
- Diversify Your Passion: Having a world-class interest outside of your primary industry (like photography) isn't a distraction; it’s a mental reset that often leads to better decision-making in business.
The story of David Arrington is basically the story of modern Midland: a mix of high-tech engineering, old-school risk-taking, and a surprising amount of soul.
To stay updated on Permian Basin developments or Arrington Oil & Gas operations, you can monitor the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) filings for the latest drilling permits and production data in Midland and Goliad counties. Additionally, the Museum of Texas Tech University occasionally hosts selections from the Arrington Collection, which remains one of the most significant photographic archives in the state.