Brandon Laxton is the founder and president of Aresco, LLC and Aresco Operating, privately held oil and gas companies engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas assets across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. With more than two decades of industry experience – over 15 years as a business owner – Brandon has built Aresco into a respected, full-service operator with a growing portfolio of long-life producing assets and active development projects.
Brandon Laxton – Experience
Since entering the oil and gas sector in 2004, Brandon’s career has encompassed nearly every facet of the upstream business, including prospect evaluation, joint venture structuring, mineral and surface negotiations, operations management, acquisitions, divestitures, and asset oversight. He also brings a deep working knowledge of the accounting, legal, and regulatory aspects of oil and gas operations.
After serving as an executive partner at a South Texas exploration firm, Brandon founded Aresco in 2011, establishing Aresco Operating to support the company’s transition into a fully integrated operator. Aresco now manages the entire project lifecycle—from drilling and completion to production and revenue distribution.
Initially participating in minority positions, Aresco has, since 2019, taken on a more prominent role as the lead working interest owner across its projects. Its exploration efforts target a broad range of formations, from 5,000 to over 20,000 feet in vertical depth. These projects, many in partnership with joint operators, have contributed to the discovery and development of several new fields – some of which have remained in production for over a decade.
Brandon was among the early movers in the Eagle Ford Shale, securing leasehold positions before the play gained widespread attention. During this time, he was retained by a major global energy company to acquire high-value mineral rights, ultimately closing over $50 million in lease transactions.
Earlier in his career, Brandon held senior roles in operations and capital acquisition, including VP of Operations for a South Texas gas producer and VP of Brokerage Services for a Texas-based firm focused on energy joint ventures. Between 2004 and 2008, as a FINRA Registered Representative, he played a key role in raising over $75 million for various exploration initiatives.
Brandon has led Aresco through periods of significant market volatility, including the 2014–2018 price collapse and the COVID-19 downturn. His focus on lean operations and internal control has enabled the company to navigate those cycles and emerge stronger – remaining committed to disciplined growth, long-term partnerships, and responsible resource development.
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