Merlin Oil & Gas, Inc91 Settlers Trace, Building 4 , Lafayette, Louisiana, United States

Founding members of Merlin Oil & Gas, Inc. (Merlin) were Mark Miller, Lana Romero, and Dirk Kellogg. Together, they began a successful pattern of nominating and bidding on Louisiana State Oil and Gas leases as a silent entity for several oil companies, including Anadarko Petroleum Corp., Diamond Shamrock Company, Apache Corporation, and Pennzoil Corporation.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s, bidding for these leases required a high degree of research and planning to counter competition. Moving forward, Merlin assembled a large wildcat prospect, 21,000 feet (Tiger Pass) in Plaquemines Parish with Bruce Wallis; and won bids from the State of Louisiana, Plaquemines Parish Government and Plaquemines Parish School Board on a sixteenth section—all, on the same day!  In 1997, Merlin was engaged to work with Pennzoil and Geco-Prakla (now Schlumberger) for the required land permitting in 3-D shoots. As is sometimes typical for small companies, working for Schlumberger necessitated rapid growth. The newer technology and rapid growth almost sent Merlin into receivership. Fortunately, Merlin was in a position to avoid financial failure and moved forward. Merlin helped assemble twelve major seismic shoots in South Louisiana. The effort was under the guise of Edwin J. Kyle, a pivotal force in securing 3-D seismic permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This endeavor has provided positive growth for Merlin. In fact, the experience and opportunity led to the eventual 3-D projects created by Merlin and some of its working interest partners.

Growth

The Meredith Project (Avondale 3-D) was formulated by James Crane, Sammy Pyle and Merlin, along with the help of Johnny and DeMerris Abaldo.  In 2001, Merlin, along with William “Bill” Douglas, and the help of attorney Newman Trowbridge, Jr., successfully assembled and began the Washington Field seismic shoot on the Thistlewaite Wildlife Management Area. Merlin’s continued friendship with the Thistlewaite family is treasured and has proven a viable business venture for both parties.  Subsequently, Merlin and partners such as NorthCoast Oil and Mack Energy successfully assembled the YellowDog 3-D shoot. This union of explorationists resulted in the GoodHope 3-D Survey completion in 2008, covering an area of 110 square miles in St. Charles Parish and including the Bonnet Carré Spillway, Waterford Nuclear plant, and multiple refineries that had never been shot before with 3-D seismic.

Future

Current members of Merlin’s management group, includes Angela Miller, Melissa McGill, Darlene Touchet, Staci Pitre, and Shelly Maturin.  Merlin’s business is based on our reputation and success record.  We intend to leave the smallest footprint possible in the course of our exploration activities; and pledge to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Our future requires that we are welcome in our energy exploits under the aegis of state government in any community, anywhere in the country.

Texas Merlin has begun a joint venture with its sister company, Encino Resources, LLC. Encino, AKA (“mighty oak”) is represented Mr. Mauro Garcia who handles Landowner Relations for Encino.  Mr. Garcia is a lifetime native of South Texas and  enjoys a strong friendship with some of the largest ranches and respected families in the area.  Mr. Michael Lynch-Blosse is a Petroleum Geologist who has worked this area for many years. Michael began his career with Gulf Oil as an exploration geologist in South Texas.  Mauro and Michael have been putting together large area projects in South Texas for the past 6 years.  Encino is focused on conventional opportunities primarily “outside” of the Eagleford Shale especially the window of shallow oil and shallow natural gas.

Texas

Merlin has begun a joint venture with its sister company, Encino Resources, LLC. Encino, AKA (“mighty oak”) is represented Mr. Mauro Garcia who handles Landowner Relations for Encino.  Mr. Garcia is a lifetime native of South Texas and  enjoys a strong friendship with some of the largest ranches and respected families in the area.  Mr. Michael Lynch-Blosse is a Petroleum Geologist who has worked this area for many years. Michael began his career with Gulf Oil as an exploration geologist in South Texas.  Mauro and Michael have been putting together large area projects in South Texas for the past 6 years.  Encino is focused on conventional opportunities primarily “outside” of the Eagleford Shale especially the window of shallow oil and shallow natural gas.

Mark K. Miller

Mark K. Miller is a native of North Carolina and obtained his B.A. from the University of South Carolina in 1980. He began his career in the petroleum landman business in 1981 after leaving John E. Chance and Associates as an offshore instrument man. Mark obtained his Certified Professional Landman’s certification in 1987 and then his Environmental Site Assessor (ESA) certification in 1991. In 1992, he co-authored a field manual for the ESA curriculum for the American Association of Petroleum Landmen (AAPL). Mark has provided expert testimony in federal, state, and municipal court proceedings pertaining to Petroleum Land Management as well as oil and gas lease exploration. He has also worked on cases involving 3-D seismic acquisition along with Phase I ESAs.  He currently serves as Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). In addition, he is on the Board of Directors for Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) and the Foundation Board at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL). He also works with the Professional Land Resource Management Program (PLRM) at ULL and has been since its inception in 1983. In the past, Mark has served as President of the Lafayette Association of Petroleum Landmen as well as on the AAPL Education Committee and AAPL Legislative Committee.  In 1989, Mark co-authored the Louisiana Courthouse Directory – an informational book on Louisiana parishes’ court houses, histories, and locations.