Miller Energy Co., a family-run upstream independent based in Kalamazoo, Mich., is seeking to expand its operations through acquisitions in 2013, a senior executive announced recently.

Bob Dunn, exploration manager at Miller Energy, said the company was looking for onshore domestic oil and gas properties with repeatable, long-life production and shallow decline rates. Speaking at a recent ADAM Houston event, Dunn said Miller prefers non-operated positions, but was willing to assume the role of an operator if the right opportunity arose.
“We are really now focused on acquisitions. … We will do what it takes to get the right deal done,” he said. “We’ve been successful over the years forming partnerships and joint ventures. We’ve established good relationships throughout the industry and we look forward to many opportunities with you.”

The company prefers privately-negotiated transactions and is looking for niche opportunities for proved, developed producing reserves with upside potential and has an acquisition range from $10 million to $50 million.

Miller was founded in the 1930s and is now run by the third generation of the family, he said.

In 1971, Miller Energy drilled its first major discovery in what is now known as the Michigan Niagaran Trend. Miller Brothers soon became a major player in one of the best onshore developments in the U.S.

In 1989, Miller Energy began producing natural gas from the Antrim shale formation. To date, Miller Energy has drilled more than 900 Antrim shale gas wells in the northern Michigan Basin.

In 1991, John Miller co-founded Globex, an international oil and natural gas exploration company. Through wildcat exploration Globex was successful in establishing substantial production and exploitation opportunities in Equatorial Guinea, West Africa and the northwestern shelf of Australia.

In 2003, Miller signed a joint venture with Wolverine Gas and Oil to explore the Central Utah Hingeline. Oil and Gas Investor named the Covenant Field Discovery as the best discovery of 2004. In 2011, Miller began to explore the Trenton Black River in southeast Michigan. Miller anticipates drilling 10 additional wells in this project in 2013.
In 2012, Miller joined a consortium of other companies to develop the Hardeman Basin. The consortium has drilled several wells so far with encouraging results.

For additional information, contact Bob Dunn at 713-968-9894.