HGS General Dinner - Reflecting on the Pitfalls and Successes of a 40+ Year Career in the Oil & Gas Industry

HGS General January Dinner Meeting

Date: January 13, 2025

Place: Norris Conference Center, City West Houston

Time: 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Reflecting on the Pitfalls and Successes of a 40+ Year Career in the Oil & Gas Industry

Speaker: James H. Painter

During the presentation/discussion, I will share a lookback on my career in the energy industry. This will include learnings throughout my professional life--as an exploration/production geoscientist and my time in multiple leadership roles (in large and small companies). Additionally, I will provide an understanding of the risk/rewards of startups.

About the speaker:

James H. Painter

Since March of 2018, Mr. Painter is a Co-Founder of PaintMire, an advisory firm. April 2020 to July 2021 Mr. Painter was a board member of Fieldwood. From 2005 - 2017, Mr. Painter held various positions at Cobalt International Energy. Cobalt was established in 2005, and Mr. Painter was one of the founders of the company. Most recently at Cobalt, he served as Interim COO and then President, Exploration and Appraisal. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President of Worldwide Operations and Appraisal. During his 12 year tenure, he served as Executive Vice President in various roles including Exploration, Gulf of Mexico, and Execution and Appraisal. Prior to he and his co-founders starting Cobalt, he was Senior Vice President of Worldwide Exploration and Technology at Unocal Corporation (following the merger between Ocean Energy and Devon Energy). Until the merger with Devon Energy, Mr. Painter held various leadership roles for Ocean Energy from 1995 to 2003 with his final role as Senior Vice President, Gulf of Mexico and International Exploration. From 1980 to 1995, Mr. Painter had various exploration and development roles at Forest Oil, Mobil Oil, and The Superior Oil Company. Mr. Painter has more than 40 years' experience in the oil and natural gas industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in geology from Louisiana State University.