John W. Ely began his career with Halliburton Company working as a technician for the analytical group while completing his B.S. in chemistry from Oklahoma State University. On returning to Halliburton, Ely served as chemist and senior chemist in fracturing research before transferring to international operations in 1973. While in fracturing research, he was instrumental in the development of several fracturing fluids, including high-temperature systems and non-aqueous energized systems. Ely’s first overseas assignment was in south Iran as a district engineer. In 1975 he was promoted to technical adviser, Eastern Hemisphere, and transferred to Bahrain. He traveled and worked in 11 Mideast countries. He later relocated to Duncan, Oklahoma where his primary duty was to coordinate all phases of research with international field operations. Ely joined Nowsco Services in 1980 as engineering manager. His responsibilities included overseeing chemical and mechanical research and coordinating training for field engineers.

In 1985, Ely joined S.A. Holditch & Associates as vice president of stimulation technology. In addition to designing and supervising hundreds of stimulation treatments, he was involved in research on fracturing fluids under the auspices of the Gas Research Institute. Additionally, he served as an expert witness in areas involving completion and stimulation of oil and gas wells.

In 1991, he founded Ely and Associates, Inc. with three partners. The firm provides a blend of practical and technical expertise on well completion, stimulation fluids and equipment, and reservoir analysis. Ely holds several patents and has written for numerous publications. He is also a contributing author to the new S.P.E. monograph on hydraulic fracturing and fracture fluid selection. He is a member of the American Chemical Society and the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and is a fellow of the American Institute of Chemistry.