The future of oil production in Woods and nearby counties lies in keeping costs low to maximize return, according to Tom L. Ward, CEO of Mach Resources, LLC, an Oklahoma City based oil and gas company. Ward spoke during the annual Woods County Mineral Owners meeting June 27 in Alva. The meeting was held at Northwest Technology Center.

Ward described his ties to this area. He and his wife, Sch'ree, had their first date in Alva "when we were both very young. She was from Waynoka, and I was from Seiling We've spent a lot of time in western Oklahoma, a lot of time in Alva and a lot of time in Wood...