Royale Energy Inc. said Jan. 7 that Johnny Jordan had been named as the Californian oil and gas producer’s next CEO.

Jordan, who currently serves as president and COO, joined San Diego-based Royale as a result of the merger between the company and Matrix Oil in early 2018. In his new role, he will succeed Rod Eson after Eson decided to step down as CEO to “focus attention on personal business matters,” according to a company press release.

Eson, who will continue to serve as a member of the board of directors, said in a statement on Jan. 7: “I am pleased to allow Mr. Jordan the opportunity to assume the leading role in this exciting new phase of company growth.”

Following the merger with Matrix last year, Royale emerged as a high-growth California-focused operating company with 10,036 net acres across 14 fields located primarily in California’s Los Angeles and Sacramento basins as well as West Texas.

Jordan has been active in the oil and gas industry since 1980 beginning as a floor hand on a well service rig. He has held various staff and supervisory positions for Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM), Mack Energy Corp., EOG Resources Inc. (NYSE: EOG) and Venoco Corp.

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