Mr. Kowalchuk was involved in starting the GPAC organization in 1959 and is currently sitting on our GPAC board representing GPAC Alumni members. He was born and raised on a farm about 10 miles northwest and across the Athabasca River from the town of Athabasca. Art worked on the family farm until 1946 and graduated from the University of Alberta in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering.

Art joined Canadian Gulf Oil in 1950 in Stettler, Alberta transferring to Calgary, Edmonton and back to the Stettler/Nevis complex over the succeeding 10 years. At Gulf or British America or Gulf Canada, Art’s responsibilities included design, construction, start-up and operations of sweet and sour gas processing plants at: o Pincher Creek, Waterton, Nevis, Stettler, Fenn Big Valley, Rimbey, Westrose, Morrin, Ghost Pine, Braeburn, Berland River and Strachen

Art joined the Canadian Gas Processor supplier association in 1959-60 as Treasurer serving for a number of years and then took over as Secretary for many years. He also presented papers on gas processing at various technical sessions.

Art retired from Gulf Canada Resources in 1986 after 37 years of service and his wife passed away in 1999 after 50 years of marriage.

Art is also a life member of APEGGA, AACEI, NACE, GPAC and Turner Valley Oilfield Technical Society.