J.M. (Buster) Bradshaw

Owner, Paladin Land Group LLC and Mammoth Creek Royalty Management LLC, Tulsa, Okla.
4 FortyUnder40 feat. J.M. BUSTER Bradshaw

Paladin specializes in title, acquisitions, due diligence and regulatory for drilling and mineral buying programs, as well as strategy consulting for management teams of newly formed E&P companies.

Paladin was named Oklahoma Company of The Year for 2017 to 2018 by the Tulsa Association of Petroleum Landmen (TAPL) for its impact on and service to the upstream and midstream sectors of the Midcontinent, and for its involvement during TAPL’s events and meetings in 2017 and 2018.

The brokerage sets itself apart with its groundbreaking ArcGIS-driven land system, Land Grab, which gives Paladin’s clients real-time connectivity with their prospects and service providers. Paladin aims to open new offices in multiple major U.S. shale basins within the next five years.

Mammoth’s high-value energy portfolios have assets in the Midcontinent, Gulf Coast and Rockies. Clients include family partnerships, private mineral funds, farms and ranches.

Bradshaw says interest in the Midcontinent and minerals is high. Right now an “overwhelming” number of private-equity companies are in the Midcontinent because “the activity and the results have been so good here.” They will invest $250 million to $1 billion per team in resource development and/or mineral acquisitions there, he says.

“When you’re at $30, $40, $50—even $60—per barrel (bbl), you’re really seeing a lot more activity in the minerals space as far as acquisitions and divestitures than when you get north of $70/bbl."

On industry: “How can you not be passionate about this industry? It’s very competitive, constantly evolving, vital to life, leisure and the security of the nation and the global economy. Not to mention, it is one of the most exciting industries in the world.”

Advice for young professionals: “Care deeply about everything you do and treat anything that’s got your name or your company’s name on it like it’s going to be seen by everyone in the industry —because it will be seen by someone who considers doing business with you or your company in the future. The world owes you nothing but offers you everything, and you have to earn anything you get.”