7:00-8:00 p.m. Program
The Oil and Gas Industry : A Behind the Scenes Look
After leading Range Resources to discovering the largest U.S. gas field—the Marcellus Shale—John Pinkerton “retired” to co-lead what became Appalachia’s No. 1 oil producer, Utica-focused Encino Energy.
Pinkerton’s oil and gas career began with Snyder Oil Corp. in 1980, where he was senior vice president of acquisitions. He had joined the E&P company after working at Arthur Andersen upon completing his BBA from Texas Christian University and MBA from the University of Texas.
In the early 2010s, Chesapeake Energy amassed a large leasehold and began putting horizontals in the Utica. But oil prices plummeted in late 2014 into 2016 and gas futures, in particular, were overwhelmed by new Marcellus and other supply, resulting in capital retreat. Along the same time, John joined Ecino Acquisition Partners (EAP) as executive chairman. There, Hardy Murchison, who had worked with Pinkerton in the 1990s, was looking for an oil target.
FAs capital providers and industry players exited the market, Pinkerton and Murchison saw an Ohio entry opportunity. In 2017, behemoth CPP Investments backed EAP with a $1 billion commitment. EAP then bought Chesapeake’s 900,000 net Ohio acres for $2 billion.
Subsequent to a follow-on equity investment of $300 million from CPP Investments, on May 30, 2025, EOG Resources announced an agreement to acquire EAP for $5.6 billion. The transaction multi-billion dollar transaction closed in 2025.
This event is open to members and Chapter Sponsors, one attendee per firm. Guests must be pre-approved. Eligible pre-approved prospective members may attend one meeting at no charge as approved guests of chapter members and sponsors.