President | CEO
30 years. Every time I think about my tenure with Martindale Consultants and my time in the oil and gas industry, it still amazes me how much both have changed over the years. When Pat Martindale hired me in February 1995, I knew very little about the oil and gas industry, even though my father was a pumper for Cotton Petroleum when I was growing up, and I lived in Oklahoma, a well-known oil and gas-producing state. Martindale Consultants, Inc. had five employees when I started my career here. We provided joint interest expenditure and revenue audits for our clients, primarily joint interest expenditure audits.
It’s incredible to think that this small firm, founded in 1982, has grown into a trusted leader in the industry for over four decades. Few companies can say they’ve weathered the ups and downs of this industry like we have—and come out stronger each time.
My first audit was with Pat Martindale, Mike Cougevan, and Steve Estes at Amoco Production Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is a company many in the industry today have not heard of. The audit was a joint interest expenditure audit for a long-time client on a large water flood unit in the Permian Basin. At that time, there were many presentations given at industry conferences about how the Permian was declining and water flood and CO2 secondary recovery operations were the only way to extract the last molecules out of the Permian. Look at the Permian today, and wow—were all those industry “experts” wrong. With new technology and innovation, the industry found a way to revitalize that entire area for another 50 to 100 years.
Much like the Permian itself, Martindale Consultants has proven its ability to adapt, innovate, and thrive as new challenges arise. Our longevity is built on this same foundation of resilience and forward-thinking—qualities that will continue to guide us into the future.
Over the years, our clients’ needs expanded—and so did our services. We began providing more revenue, royalty, and other more specific types of contract compliance audits. Our growth tracked right along with the changes occurring in the industry. Between 2000 and 2005, independents like Chesapeake Energy and XTO started engaging in large drilling programs in the Barnett Shale. It seemed insane at the time, but that really kicked off the race to drilling more with new technology and innovative ways like multiple longer horizontal wells from a single pad. Suddenly, many independents like Range Resources, Continental Resources, and Devon Energy were exploring many different basins like the Marcellus, Haynesville, Eagle Ford—and (yes) back into the Permian.
This period of rapid industry evolution was a defining moment for Martindale. As the shale revolution unfolded, we didn’t just keep pace—we anticipated our clients’ evolving needs. Our ability to adapt and expand our services in lockstep with these seismic shifts in the industry showcases why we’ve remained a trusted partner for over four decades. From the Barnett Shale boom to the resurgence of the Permian, Martindale has been there, providing cutting-edge solutions for each new challenge our clients faced.
All these changes in the industry also caused the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies (COPAS) to publish several important accounting procedures and model form interpretations. As a firm, it was very important to us to give back to the industry by participating in COPAS leadership and publication drafting teams. Mike Cougevan, Pat Martindale, and I all volunteered a significant amount of time during those years—from 2000 to now—to help bring the best products to industry companies to use in negotiating their joint ventures.
Contributing to COPAS over these decades has been one of many ways we’ve demonstrated our dedication not just to our clients but also to shaping this industry for future generations. Longevity isn’t just about surviving—it’s about making an impact that lasts far beyond ourselves.
Our services grew during this time as well by providing more royalty audit services, vendor audit services, international audit services, litigation services, outsourced accounting services, and regulatory services. The small firm I started with has grown into a 60+ firm over the last 30 years—and I have to say that I am very excited and very honored to be a part of it.
To think that what started as five people in 1982 has grown into a company with over 60 professionals today is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s proof that Martindale Consultants isn’t just here for now—we’re here for generations to come.
I really look forward to seeing how both will grow and change in the future.
Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.
Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.