MAPL Officers' Forum

From the MAPL President

Happy New Year!!

2011 was a wonderful year for me and my family. My wife, Dale, and I had our first child, which has been such a blessing to us. I was also able to meet and work with many of you that I may have never had the opportunity to do so because of the chance to serve as your MAPL president. In getting to do so I have learned how much this association means to our profession. It is important that we continue to support this association and receive participation from all of our willing members.

David Carter did a wonderful job organizing the Christmas Party. I would personally like to thank him for his hard work in making the party a great success. The team that he put together to organize the party consisted of Lindy Clement, Carol Holly, Sandra and Kevin Jeffreys, Scott Smith, Ali Doss and Conner Perkins. Each of you went above and beyond in helping make the party a success and for that I thank you. Rick Carter’s League of Legendary Artists played great music, and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and party. We had many sponsors this year, and MAPL thanks each of you for such. Without the support from all of the sponsors we would not be able to continue to have this party.

The January meeting will feature David Hilton with Pruet Companies briefly discussing well completions and horizontal drilling. We look forward to having David join us for lunch, speak, and hear a little more about the engineering side of the business.

Remember we are going to have our February meeting at the Ag Museum on February 20, 2012. The date was chosen because it falls on a holiday and the courthouses will be closed.
AAPL is going to sponsor the meeting in hopes of boosting its membership within our state. It should be a wonderful event, and thanks to Bryant Miller for helping organize this event with AAPL. Please see the newsletter for more information on the meeting and registration. Be sure to encourage all landmen that you are working with to attend.

There is no new information on the UPL issue, but I will continue to keep each of you informed as soon as I receive it.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have about our association.

Sincerely,
Graham Cook, RPL
MAPL President 2011-2012

From the MAPL Vice President

 
The MAPL Christmas Party was a success, and a good time was had by the membership and our guests. Several people should be recognized for their diligent work in putting the party together:

Kevin and Sandra Jeffreys took on the hardest job - the invitations, which they printed, addressed and mailed to the MAPL membership and to the membership of our co-hosts MS Oil and Gas Lawyers and MGS.

Carol Holly was our gift shopper and did a great job getting a nice array of gifts, many priced between $100 and $250.

Lindy Clement handled the flower arrangements with help from Floral Arrangement Artiste Jenie Black.

Thanks go to Mike Estep for bringing his extraordinary band Rick Carter’s League of Legendary Artists from all over Alabama to provide our entertainment.

Special Thanks go to all the MAPL members that bought tickets and brought guests to the Christmas Party!

Finally, the Christmas Party was profitable to the tune of $3,000. The Board has historically made a donation to a charitable organization that it collectively believes to be a worthy beneficiary of our support. The Board will take this matter up at the next meeting. Stay tuned for details.

David Carter
MAPL Vice President

 

 

AAPL Corner

Current AAPL News Letter
AAPL Committees
AAPL BLM Q&A
AAPL Director of Education

By: James “Bobo” Clarke
AAPL Director, Mississippi
June, 2011


The AAPL Board of Directors’ Meeting was held June 8, 2011 in Boston, Massachusettes, in connection with the AAPL 2011 Annual Meeting. From the keynote speaker, Karl Rove, Former Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, to the scheduled events and activities, it was an educational fun filled time for all. Trudy Fisher from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality was one of the guest speakers presenting the topic “Environmental Effects and Litigation Resulting from the BP Oil Spill”. Highlights from the meeting are as follows:

Newly elected Officers of the AAPL Executive Committee for fiscal year of 2011-2012 are as follows:

President: Jack C Richards, CPL, Devon Energy Production Co., LP, Oklahoma City, OK
1st VP: Jim R Dewbre, CPL, Southwestern Energy Co., Houston, TX
2nd VP: Bernard J Ulincy, CPL, Range Resources-Appalachie, LLC, Canonburg, PA
3rd VP: Russell S Shinever, CPL, Independent Landman, Lansing, MI
Secretary: Ms Pamela D Feist, CPL, Lakewood Exploration, Midland, TX
Treasurer: Houston J Kaufman, Jr., CPL, Independent Landman, Fort Worth, TX
Immediate Past President: Steve Wentworth, CPL, EOG Resources, Fort Worth, TX

Awards
Awards were presented at the opening session of the annual meeting. Congratulations to David W. Miller for receiving the Special Service to AAPL Staff Award. Other awards presented are as follows:

Best AAPL Director Communication Randy Browne, CPL

Best Member Communication Michel Curry, CPL

Best Article Published in an AAPL Publication Thomas Marranzino, Jessica Pink, and Anna Cavaleri

Best Newsletters Tulsa Association of Petroleum Landmen and Los Angeles Assocation of Professional Landmen

Special Award for Community Service Dallas Association of Petroleum Landmen, and Fort Worth Association of Professional Landmen

Special Award for Education Terry McInturff

Special Service AAPL Board of Directors Michel Curry, CPL

Local Association of the Year Permian Basin Landmen’s Association

Landman of the Year Bill Rex, CPL

Lifetime Achievement Award T Verne Dwyer, CPL

Membership
Membership in AAPL continues to rise. As of March 31, 2011, the total AAPL Membership was 12,415. AAPL is currently taking renewals for the upcoming 2011-2012 membership period.

Membership in AAPL continues to increase. As of March 3, 2011, the total AAPL Membership was 12,009.

The AAPL Membership Committee
is initiating an effort to begin working more closely with the local associations to recruit, retain, and effectively report members for the benefit of AAPL and local associations. The following is a method developed to assist with the recruiting and retaining process and membership reporting:

Recruiting. AAPL
will report on a regular basis to the President and Director of the local association of any new AAPL members. The local association is encouraged to report on a regular basis any new local member that is not a member of AAPL. AAPL is also available to assist in promoting local associational events such as educational seminars,  program meetings, and membership events.

Retaining.
AAPL Directors will keep local members informed by providing their Director’s Report of each quarterly Board Meeting and informing members of upcoming educational seminars and events. Retaining also includes follow-ups with non-renewals.

Reporting.
The local associations will maintain and report a membership spreadsheet to help verify member information such as name, address, email address, birth date, AAPL ID Number and classification of membership as defined by AAPL guidelines.

AAPL looks forward to working with each local association to provide the necessary services and resources to reach out, include and unite landmen and land-related persons through professional development and service.

Educational Committee
has recently released updated certification guidelines for its three designations – Registered Landman (RL), Registered Professional Landman (RPL) and Certified Professional Landman (CPL). The most significant change affects the RPL designation, which no longer requires a four-year degree.
A sub-committee designated “Local Liaisons” has been established to interact with each local association in developing educational opportunities with both local and national appeal.

The Landman Scholarship Trust Review Group has named Martin Lebrun from the University of Tulsa as AAPL’s 2011 Outstanding Graduate. Additionally, the group has selected the scholarship award recipients for the 2011-2012 semester cycles. All selected recipients from the six accredited schools (the University of Calgary, the Univeristy of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Oklahoma, Texas Tech University, the University of Tulsa and Western State College of Colorado) have been contacted and made aware of their respective awards.

Field Landman Committee has teamed up with the Membership and Education Committees to schedule as many Field Landman seminars as possible throughout the year in an effort to keep AAPL’s commitment of supporting the field landman. The seminars are free to AAPL members. As part of the membership drive program, non-members can register for $50 when they attend a seminar in 2011-2012. By registering, the $50 fee can apply for AAPL membership at no cost for the first year.

AAPL’s Website/IT Committee
Our goal is to develp the “go to” website for all AAPL members and professional landmen that will focus on a user friendly website. A site that is member focused, promotes the landman and its profession, and provides an easy way to all members to get involved with AAPL. Visit the website at www.landman.org to learn more about AAPL, upcoming educational events, industry forms, job postings, etc.

AAPL Committee Volunteers
AAPL is always seeking members to become a part and get involved with the various committees. Volunteers are encouraged to contact the various Committee Chairperson or Bobo Clarke, AAPL Director for MAPL.

The AAPL Treasurer's Reprt reported the financial condition for the period ending March 31,
2011. The Balance Sheet for the referenced period reported total assets increased by 27.1% to
$20,775,004. The Statement of Income and Expenses for same referenced period reported
revenues increased 36% to $7,123,985. Expenses increased 28.1% to $3,914,845. The increase
in expenses is due to personnel additions and growth in operations over the course of the year
and a $500,000 grant to the Educational Foundation. The overall increase in net revenue is due
to the Luther King investment account.

Upcoming AAPL Board of Directors Meetings for the 2011-2012 fiscal year are scheduled as
follows:
September 10-11, 2011 – Palm Beach, FL
December 3-4, 2011 – Scottsdale, AZ
March 17-18, 2012 – Yountville, CA
June 13-16, 2012 – San Francisco, CA


Summer NAPE 2011
will be held August 17-19, 2011. Booth registrations are showing a strong start. Attendee registrations will being in May.

Winter NAPE 2012
will be held February 22-24, 2012. Booth registration deadline for
returning exhibitors was March 24. Registration form for new exhibitors is available on the web
site.

AAPL NAPE Operator’s Committee
The purpose of the AAPL NAPE Operator’s Committee (the “Committee”) is to provide oversight of NAPE administration through the review and monitoring of NAPE general operations, activities, budgets and financial results in order to insure the on-going success of NAPE.
In view of the significant impact that NAPE has on AAPL, in terms of financial stability, industry activity and the land professional’s role and stature in the energy industry, the Committee’s objectives include, without limitation, the following:
• Improve the efficiency, financial strength and effectiveness of NAPE operations;
• Review and evaluate NAPE programs and effectiveness;
• Review and approve the budget for each NAPE Expo, to be prepared and submitted by
NAPE staff within ninety (90) days following the conclusion of the preceding NAPE
Expo;
• Inform AAPL leadership (as described below) on all pertinent information affecting the
on-going success of NAPE;
-5-
• Assist in development of new policies, initiatives and improvements pertaining to NAPE
operations;
• Ensure NAPE operational compliance in conformity with AAPL by-laws and policies;
and
• Elevate the stature of AAPL as Operator of NAPE.

The Committee shall be comprised of nine (9) appointed AAPL members, serving on a rotating three-year term, with three members rotating off annually, stating in June 2012. The committee chair and assistant chair shall be appointed by the then-current AAPL president and first vice president, respectively. The Committee shall also include the then-current chair of the NAPE Advisory committee (if that individual is an AAPL representative), the AAPL Executive Vice President (non-voting member) and the NAPE Executive Vice President (non-voting member).
The Committee chair and/or assistant chair shall coordinate with the AAPL Executive Committee through its designated liaison and report to the AAPL board of directors in the same manner and frequency as other AAPL standing committees.
The Committee shall endeavour to meet quarterly in person or via teleconference to accomplish its purpose and objectives.

  CURRENT LEGAL MATTERS

The Tax Issues Committee has advised of tax issues currently affecting independent landmen, and the firms that retain them, which have again been targeted by at least one state seeking to classify independent contractors as employees for tax purposes. AAPL has provided guidance to the directors of the affected local landman’s associations to assist them in responding to the state challenge. If you are an Independent contractor and your tax status has been challenged, please contact Roger Soape at the above contact information.
The Committee is monitoring efforts by the IRS to disallow field landmen’s travel expenses due to long term hotel stays resulting in change of landman’s tax-purposes residence from his/her home to the hotel.

Louisiana UPL
Currently, there is an Unlicensed Practicing of Law playing out in the State of Louisiana. AAPL filed an Amicus brief addressing same and lost. The case and the UPL part are to be appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court. There are current issues in West Virginia and Wyoming, as well. Texas has been successful in defeating the UPL in the past and has also been succussful in defeating licensing of landmen. This issue is bad for Landmen and is being monitored very closely by AAPL. More details and written material will follow soon.

** Mark Eppes has been chosen to represent MAPL as AAPL Director for the next two years.      Congratulations Mark !

On a personal note, it has been an honor and a privilege to represent MAPL as AAPL Director. It has been a very rewarding opportunity to meet and work with other land professionals in striving for a common goal of carrying the industry and profession into the future. I will continue to be involved with AAPL as a member of the AAPL Strategic Planning Committee.

Should you have suggestions / comments for the betterment of the Association, please let me know and your voice will be heard.
Thank you again, Bobo

View site map>
Contact MAPL for more info
AAPL


image
  
MAPL News Letters
          MAPL Archive

        Join MAPL today!

AAPL News Letters
           AAPL Archive

AAPL Corner

AAPL Committies
Executive Commitee

President: Steve Wentworth, CPL, EOG Resources, Ft Worth, TX

1st VP: Jack Richards, CPL, Devon Energy, Oklahoma City, OK

2nd VP: Eric (Rick) Stinson, CPL, Lario Oil & Gas Corp., Houston, TX

3rd VP: Todd Liebl, CPL, Cabot Oil & Gas Corp., Houston, TX

Secretary: Greg Reidl, CPL, Harold Anderson & Co., Chalmette, LA

Treasurer: Brooks Yates, CPL, Ventex Oil & Gas Inc., Dallas, TX

Immediate Past President: Rimmer Covington, CPL/ESA, Covington & Assoc., Gulfport, MS



AAPL 2010/2011 COMMITTEES

Annual Meeting Joseph W Haas, RPL Phone: (440) 543-0770
jhaasreserve@aol.com

Awards Katherine S. Chalfant, CPL Phone: (432) 686-3092
kchalfant@conchoresources.com

By-Law & Policy Michael E. Curry, CPL Phone: (432) 685-8541
Manual Review mcurry@cbtd.com

Certification Matt Smith, CPL Phone: (817) 806-0772
matthew_smith@eogresources.com

Education Mark A. Acree, RPL Phone: (412) 222-9600
mark.acree@sylvanenergy.com

Ethics Roger Soape Phone: (281) 440-6347
ras@rasoape.com

Field Landman Wendy G. Dalton, RPL Phone: (817) 806-0766
wendy_dalton@eogresources.com

Finance Jack C. Richards, CPL Phone: (405) 228-4418
jack.richards@dvn.com

Forms Sally Muire Kvasnicka, CPL Phone: (432) 687-1777
sallyk@forl.com

Investment Advisory Donald L. Clark, CPL Phone: (214) 522-2225 ext 101
dlclark1@airmail.net

IT and Website Randy Nichols Phone: (713) 463-6009
rnichols@cincoland.com

Legislative Regulatory James R. Bourbeau, CPL Phone: (814) 724-5257
jbourbeau@jimbourbeau.com

Membership Pamela D. Feist, CPL Phone: (432) 683-6391 ext 10
pfeist@lakewoodexp.com

Past President Leon Hirsch, CPL Phone: (713) 401-0021
Advisory Council Leon.Hirsch@WoodsideEnergy.com

Publications Aaron R. Yost, RPL Phone: (304) 842-9550
ayost@mdenergy.com

Public Lands & Land Marc Randal Strahn, CPL Phone: (307) 683-3270
Access marc@wolfhavencorp.com

Sub-Nominating Marshall Lochausen Phone: (361) 887-2611
marshall_lochausen@eogresources.com

Strategic Planning Jack C. Richards, CPL Phone: (405) 228-4418
jack.richards@dvn.com

The AAPL Committees reports were submitted to the Board of Directors. Each Committee and Chairperson is listed below for your referral. Should you have any questions regarding the on-goings of the various committees or would like to volunteer for a committee, please contact Bobo Clarke or the Chairperson for the respective committee(s).