History

HISTORY


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The Beginning

Founding members of MKM & Associates Inc. (MKM) 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, MKM 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, MKM 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 MKM into receivership. Fortunately, MKM was in a position to avoid financial failure and moved forward. MKM 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 MKM. In fact, the experience and opportunity led to the eventual 3-D projects created by MKM and some of its working interest partners.

Growth

The Meredith Project (Avondale 3-D) was formulated by James Crane, Sammy Pyle, and MKM, along with the help of Johnny and DeMerris Abaldo.

In 2001, MKM, 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. MKM’s continued friendship with the Thistlewaite family is treasured and has proven a viable business venture for both parties.

Subsequently, MKM and partners such as NorthCoast Oil and Mack Energy successfully assembled the YellowDog 3-D shoot. This union of explorationists resulted in the Good Hope 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.

The Future

Current members of MKM’s management group, includes Darlene Touchet, Staci Pitre, and Shelly Maturin.

MKM’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.

Company Timeline

  • 1981

    Founding & initial ventures

  • 1989

    Tiger Pass, State of Louisiana, & Plaquemines Parish

  • 1997

    Pennzoil & Geco-Prakla

  • 1999

    Meredith Project & Seitel

  • 2001

    Washington Field seismic shoot

  • 2006

    Yellow Dog 3-D shoot

  • 2008

    Good Hope 3-D Survey & SEI

  • 2012

    Tuscaloosa Marine Shale & Plat for Devon

  • 2013

    McMoRan Ultra Deep