The year-long rally in oil and natural gas prices helped fuel a banner year at Apache. But that was only part of the story for the Houston-based oil and gas independent. A combination of strategic acquisitions of fields in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico and drilling success, including a 22% increase in production, boosted sales 64% last year. It also paved the way for record profitability, with net income spurting 98%. With production steadily declining in North America, Farris is now betting on increased production from newer fields in areas like Egypt and Western Australia.