Optimum Energy Partners
Overview
Optimum Energy Partners LLC is a Texas-based oil and gas investment sponsor headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with approximately $100M in assets under management. The firm specializes in structuring direct working interest joint ventures that provide accredited investors access to onshore U.S. oil and gas drilling opportunities across the Anadarko Basin, Permian Basin, Powder River Basin, DJ Basin, and the Gulf of America. Optimum focuses on partnerships with established operators in proven producing basins, delivering both potential cash flow and significant tax-advantaged investment structures.
Platform Overview
$100M+ in assets under management
23 prior drilling joint ventures sponsored since inception in 2021
Active deployment across Anadarko Basin (Oklahoma), Powder River Basin (Wyoming), Permian Basin (Texas), DJ Basin (Colorado), Austin Chalk (Texas), and the Gulf of America
Portfolio includes both horizontal and vertical drilling joint ventures across oil, gas, and natural gas liquids targets
Direct working interest joint venture structure providing investors with maximum tax efficiency through IDC deduction, depletion allowance, and active income treatment
Leadership
Derrick May, President & Chief Executive Officer: 17+ years of oil and gas industry experience across private equity, investment banking, and company management. Holds an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from Oklahoma State University. Previously served as CFO of Legacy Exploration and as a financial analyst at Melody Capital
Chance Smith, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer: 10+ years of oil and gas operations experience, most notably as a former founder of Trojan Tubular Services, a prominent oilfield service company. Oversees the operational division of the company
Joey Shelton, Co-Founder & Senior VP of Business Development (Texas): 10+ years of energy industry experience, having helped fund over 30 projects domestically. Began his career in law enforcement before transitioning to oil and gas
John Griffin, Co-Founder & VP of Business Development (Texas): Bachelor of Marketing from Louisiana Tech University. Brings deep oil and gas business development experience to investor relationships and project sourcing
Christopher Fusco, Co-Founder & VP of Business Development (New York): Nearly a decade of Wall Street experience as a licensed broker and advisor before transitioning into oil and gas. Previously co-managed a retail trading firm office in New York
Alexa May, Corporate Secretary & Executive Assistant: Texas Christian University graduate. Handles executive support, HR functions, and Board Meeting coordination
Prior Activities
Optimum has structured and managed 22 prior oil and gas drilling joint ventures since inception in 2021, with significant aggregate production results. Selected highlights from the prior track record include:
Optimum Powder River 12 JV (Converse, WY, Horizontal, June 2023): 5,576,702 BOE produced, $7.65M capital raised, $4.52M revenue
Optimum Macsodora JV (CO, OK, WY, Horizontal, August 2024): 7,304,699 BOE produced, $12.18M capital raised, $4.86M revenue
Optimum Chopper Ross 6 JV (Campbell, WY, Horizontal, August 2023): 2,962,141 BOE produced, $1.47M capital raised, $606K revenue
Optimum Warthog II JV (Ellis, OK, Horizontal, May 2024): 1,890,229 BOE produced, $3.07M capital raised, $2.18M revenue
Optimum Permian 6 JV (Campbell, WY, Horizontal, April 2023): 1,027,685 BOE produced, $1.70M capital raised
Optimum Hog (Howard, TX, Horizontal, January 2023): 575,578 BOE produced, $5.35M capital raised, $3.03M revenue
Optimum Powder River 3 JV (Campbell and Converse, WY, Horizontal, August 2024): 644,472 BOE produced, $4.21M capital raised
Optimum CLR 3 Well JV (Garvin, OK, Horizontal, January 2025): 828,498 BOE produced, $4.17M capital raised
Optimum Fortis 8 JV (OK, Gulf of America, Horizontal, February 2026): Currently drilling/completing, $12.77M capital raised
Investment Strategy
Optimum Energy Partners focuses on structuring direct working interest joint ventures across established U.S. onshore oil and gas basins, providing accredited investors with active income tax advantages, current cash flow potential, and long-term reserve appreciation upside. The firm partners with experienced operators in proven producing areas, emphasizing horizontal drilling targets with established geology and strong nearby well performance.
Core Approach
Partner with established operators: Joint ventures structured with experienced public and private operators including Continental Resources, Mewbourne Oil, Mach Natural Resources, Charter Oak Production, Upland Exploration, Validus Energy, and others
Focus on proven basins: Capital deployed across the most productive U.S. onshore basins, with concentration in the Anadarko Basin (Oklahoma), Powder River Basin (Wyoming), Permian Basin (Texas), DJ Basin (Colorado), and Gulf of America
Horizontal drilling emphasis: Recent joint ventures focused on horizontal wells with multi-mile laterals targeting Cherokee, Woodford, Niobrara, and Wolfcamp formations
Multi-well diversification: Joint ventures typically span multiple wells, multiple operators, multiple counties, and sometimes multiple formations, reducing single-well concentration risk
Tax-advantaged structuring: Direct working interest structure delivers maximum IDC deduction (up to 80% of investment in Year 1), depletion allowance benefits, and active income treatment
Investment Vehicle Structure
Optimum joint ventures are structured as Texas Joint Ventures (general partnerships) under the Texas Business Organizations Code, providing investors with:
Direct working interest ownership through Joint Venture participation
Active income tax treatment (not subject to passive activity loss limitations)
Full IDC deductibility in the year incurred
Cost depletion or percentage depletion for qualifying independent producers
Pass-through partnership taxation with K-1 reporting
Compensation Structure
Turnkey Contract: Optimum acquires working interests, manages drilling and completion operations, and covers organizational costs in exchange for a fixed Turnkey Price
Management fee: Optimum earns the difference between the Turnkey Price and actual cost incurred
Reimbursable expenses: Up to $500/month in General and Administrative Expense reimbursement
Sponsor co-investment: Optimum contributes 1% of Initial Joint Venture Capital alongside investors
Geographic Focus
Optimum currently maintains active operations across:
Anadarko Basin (Oklahoma): Cherokee and Woodford formations, primary current focus
Powder River Basin (Wyoming): Campbell, Converse, and Jackson Counties; primary horizontal drilling area
Permian Basin (Texas): Howard County, Dawson County
DJ Basin (Colorado): Jackson County
Austin Chalk (Texas): Robertson County
Gulf of America: Offshore wells in partnership with operating partners
Differentiation
23 prior drilling projects since 2021 with documented production track record
Investor portal access providing real-time production and revenue reporting per joint venture
Experienced multi-disciplinary team spanning operations (Smith), business development (Shelton, Griffin, Fusco), and financial structuring (May)
Active partnership with industry-leading operators rather than acting as operator, providing capital efficiency and reduced execution risk
Tax-advantaged structure designed for high-income investors seeking active income deductions, cash flow, and long-term reserve appreciation
