Eastern Oklahoma Service Territory: Tahlequah-to-Tulsa Corridor
Category: Territory / Market Research Region: Eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa Metro to Arkansas Border Last Updated: 12/25/2024 Cross-Reference: Western Oklahoma Analysis, I-44 Corridor Research
Quick Reference
D&H United Tulsa: 4373 S 93rd East Avenue, Tulsa | (918) 627-3333 Nwestco Springdale: 4725 N Oak Street, Springdale, AR | (479) 751-4867 Guardian Fueling Tulsa: 1515 W 36th, Tulsa | guardianfueltech.com
Executive Summary
The service territory boundary between Arkansas and Tulsa petroleum equipment companies falls near Park Hill/Tahlequah - significantly further east than expected. Muskogee, initially hypothesized as contested territory, is firmly within Tulsa's commercial sphere due to QuikTrip's established presence and D&H United's 40-mile proximity advantage.
Key Finding: Tulsa-based companies dominate approximately 75% of the corridor from Broken Arrow to the Muskogee-Fort Gibson line.
1. Territory Classification Summary
| Location | ZIP | Classification | Confidence | Distance to Tulsa | |----------|-----|----------------|------------|-------------------| | Owasso | 74055 | Tulsa Core | 95%+ | 15 miles | | Broken Arrow | 74012 | Tulsa Core | 95%+ | 15 miles | | Coweta | 74429 | Tulsa Metro | 95% | 25 miles | | Muskogee | 74403 | Tulsa Dominated | 85% | 50 miles | | Fort Gibson | - | Transition Zone | 70% | 60 miles | | Park Hill | 74451 | Arkansas Dominated | 95% | 65 miles | | Tahlequah | - | Arkansas Territory | 90% | 70 miles |
2. Territory Boundary Map
WEST ←──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────→ EAST
TULSA TERRITORY │ ARKANSAS TERRITORY
│
Owasso ─── Broken ─── Coweta ─── MUSKOGEE ─── Fort ─── PARK HILL ─── Tahlequah
(74055) Arrow (74429) (74403) Gibson (74451)
(74012) ▲
│
═══ BOUNDARY LINE ═══
TULSA PROVIDERS: ARKANSAS PROVIDERS:
• D&H United (dominant) • Nwestco/Arkoma (primary)
• Seneca Companies • Ark-O Petroleum
• Guardian Fueling • B&B Equipment (local)
• P.B. Hoidale
3. Distance Analysis
The boundary is determined by service response time economics:
| Location | D&H United (Tulsa) | Nwestco (Fort Smith) | Advantage | |----------|-------------------|---------------------|-----------| | Owasso | 15 mi | 120 mi | Tulsa +105 mi | | Broken Arrow | 15 mi | 115 mi | Tulsa +100 mi | | Coweta | 25 mi | 100 mi | Tulsa +75 mi | | Muskogee | 50 mi | 90 mi | Tulsa +40 mi | | Fort Gibson | 60 mi | 75 mi | Tulsa +15 mi | | Park Hill | 65 mi | 65 mi | Neutral | | Tahlequah | 70 mi | 60 mi | Arkansas +10 mi |
The distance equilibrium point falls near Park Hill/Fort Gibson.
4. Muskogee Market Detail
Classification: TULSA DOMINATED (85% confidence)
Key Evidence:
- 2 QuikTrip locations (Tulsa-HQ chain only expands into its own market)
- D&H United 50-mile proximity vs Arkansas 90+ miles
- 7+ Casey's locations (Gilbarco equipment, likely D&H service)
- Love's Travel Stop #166 (OKC-based, internal maintenance)
- Pilot Travel Center #259 (national contracts)
Station Inventory (~30 stations)
| Brand | Count | Service Notes | |-------|-------|---------------| | Casey's | 7 | Gilbarco equipment - D&H United likely | | QuikTrip | 2 | Tulsa-based corporate contracts | | Phillips 66/Conoco | 4 | Regional brand, Tulsa providers | | Shell | 3 | Brand network contracts | | Sinclair | 2 | Variable - could be either | | Love's | 1 | Internal/national contracts | | Pilot | 1 | National contracts | | Independents | ~9 | Mixed providers |
Primary Service Companies
D&H United Fueling Solutions (Dominant)
- Branch: 4373 S 93rd East Avenue, Tulsa
- 50 miles to Muskogee
- OCC Licensed Installers: Kenneth Sowers, Paul Custer, Dustin McManus, Michael Wilson
- Gilbarco Veeder-Root authorized distributor
- Acquired Petroleum Marketers Equipment Company (July 2021)
Seneca Companies
- Branch: 6947 East 13th Street, Tulsa
- 50 miles to Muskogee
- Claims OK, AR, N. Texas, S. Missouri territory
- Tulsa branch since 2011
Guardian Fueling Technologies (New 2024)
- Branch: 1515 W 36th, Tulsa
- Licensed installer in Chouteau (30 miles from Muskogee)
- Entered Oklahoma market February 2024
5. Park Hill / Cherokee County Detail
Classification: ARKANSAS DOMINATED (95% confidence)
Key Evidence:
- Zero QuikTrip presence in Cherokee County
- Nwestco Springdale 55-60 miles vs Tulsa 65+ miles
- Local contractor B&B Equipment coordinates with Arkansas providers
- Tahlequah hosts 2 Casey's (typically Nwestco/Gilbarco relationships)
Station Inventory (3 stations)
| Name | Address | Brand | Likely Provider | |------|---------|-------|-----------------| | Sinclair | 25436 State Highway 82 | Sinclair | Nwestco/Ark-O | | Oklahoma Station | 28455 Highway 82 | 76 | Unknown - 40+ yr local | | Sinclair Oil | 25148 Highway 82 | Sinclair | Nwestco/Ark-O |
Primary Service Companies
Nwestco LLC (Hooten Equipment)
- Branch: 4725 N Oak Street, Springdale, AR
- 55 miles to Park Hill
- OCC Licensed Installers: Justin Burkes, Tony Ward (expires 12/31/2025)
- Acquired Arkoma Services March 2024
- "Representing Gilbarco for over 15 years"
Ark-O Petroleum Equipment Inc
- Location: 441 Jean Mary Ave, Tontitown, AR
- 55 miles to Park Hill
- Wayne/Tokheim equipment specialist
- Website states MO, AR, OK service territory
B&B Equipment (Local)
- Location: 24849 East Cobbs Corner Road, Tahlequah
- 10 miles to Park Hill
- OCC Licensed Installer: Larry Bradham
- UST installation focus
6. Tulsa Metro Baseline (Core Territory)
Broken Arrow (74012) - 95%+ Confidence
| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Total Stations | ~25 | | QuikTrip Locations | 9+ | | Maverik (ex-Kum & Go) | 7 | | Casey's | 4 | | Distance to D&H United | 15 miles |
Owasso (74055) - 95%+ Confidence
| Metric | Value | |--------|-------| | Total Stations | ~15 | | QuikTrip Locations | 5+ | | Maverik | 3 | | Casey's | 2 | | Distance to D&H United | 15 miles |
Key Evidence: D&H United installer Michael Wilson resides in Broken Arrow.
7. Market Consolidation (2021-2024)
Three acquisitions reshaped Oklahoma's petroleum equipment landscape:
D&H United + Petroleum Marketers Equipment (July 2021)
- Consolidated Tulsa's largest petroleum equipment operations
- 35+ branch offices, 1,400+ employees nationwide
- Comprehensive OCC licenses through multiple installers
- Now dominant Tulsa-area provider
Nwestco + Arkoma Services (March 2024)
- Combined Fort Smith operations with Springdale (Hooten Equipment)
- Creates Arkansas's strongest petroleum equipment network
- Licensed Oklahoma installers: Brent Loyd, Justin Burkes, Tony Ward
Seneca Companies + Titan Fuel Systems
- Expanded Oklahoma footprint from 2011 Tulsa branch
- Added 2021 OKC operations
- Claims coverage across "Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Southern Missouri and Arkansas"
8. Gilbarco Authorization Overlap
Multiple companies hold Gilbarco Veeder-Root authorized distributor status:
| Company | Territory | Competitive Position | |---------|-----------|---------------------| | D&H United | Tulsa-dominant | 50-mile advantage at Muskogee | | Nwestco | Arkansas-dominant | 60-mile reach from Springdale | | Seneca Companies | Regional | Stocks Gilbarco/VR parts | | Guardian Fueling | Expanding | 2020 Gilbarco Distributor of Year |
Implication: Casey's locations (typically Gilbarco) could theoretically be serviced by multiple providers. Geographic proximity becomes the deciding factor.
9. Data Gaps & Verification Needs
High Priority
- Casey's Corporate Contracts - 7+ Muskogee locations represent significant uncertainty
- OCC Permit Records - Recent UST permits in Muskogee/Cherokee counties would confirm active contractors
Medium Priority
- Independent Station Surveys - 10+ Muskogee independents may have varied arrangements
- Guardian Chouteau Coverage - Contact Les Atchley for eastern Oklahoma service radius
Low Priority (Confirmed)
- Travel centers (Love's, Pilot) use internal/national contracts
- Tulsa metro baseline established - no additional verification needed
10. Strategic Implications
For Tulsa-Based Providers
- Muskogee is accessible territory despite 50-mile distance
- Fort Gibson represents practical eastern limit
- QuikTrip presence validates market investment
- Guardian's 2024 entry adds competitive pressure
For Arkansas-Based Providers
- Focus resources on Cherokee County and border areas
- Tahlequah, Park Hill are natural territory
- 90+ mile distance to Muskogee limits competitiveness
- Nwestco/Arkoma consolidation strengthens position
For Fuel Retailers
- Muskogee & West: Expect faster response from Tulsa contractors
- Tahlequah & East: Arkansas contractors may offer competitive pricing due to lower market density
- Casey's locations: Likely D&H United despite corporate uncertainty
Related Documentation
Research conducted December 2024. Territory classifications based on QuikTrip presence, distance analysis, and OCC licensing records. Field verification recommended for station-level contract confirmation.