California-focused oil, gas startup appoints operational leadership

Sentinel Peak Resources LLC, backed by Denver-based private equity firm Quantum Energy Partners, has named two more industry veterans to its executive leadership team.

Tim Crawford has been tabbed executive vice-president and chief operating officer. Most recently, he served as vice-president of Linn Energy LLC’s California operations. He brings 34 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, with an emphasis on managing and operating heavy oil and thermal enhanced oil recovery projects in California.

George Paspalof has been appointed executive vice-president, Los Angeles basin operations. Most recently, he served as president of Brycon LLC from 2008 until this year. He began his career with Texaco Inc. in 1988 in the Los Angeles basin, accumulating experience in urban operations, remediation, and development of excess oil field property.

Led by former Berry Petroleum Co. executives Michael Duginski, chief executive officer and president, and George Ciotti, chief financial officer, Sentinel was founded earlier this year with $300 million in equity commitments by Quantum.

Sentinel’s corporate office will be in Denver, and it plans to open regional offices in Los Angeles and Bakersfield, Calif. The firm on Oct. 14 announced that it has agreed to acquire Freeport-McMoRan Inc.’s properties in the San Joaquin and Los Angeles basins for $742 million (OGJ Online, Oct. 14, 2016).

Sentinel said it will hire personnel from existing Freeport-McMoRan staff as well as from other sources.