OPERATIONS MANAGER

30 March 2009 Version

Somont is seeking a qualified applicant to eventually manage its Montana operations. Until the current Operations Manager leaves, which may be up to five years in the future, the successful candidate will have an extended apprenticeship and will learn all facets of Somont’s business with support and guidance from the current Operations Manager (based in Montana) and the Owner (based in Texas). The Operations Manager spends some time in the office but much time out in the Field maintaining hands-on knowledge of all aspects of the Montana operations.

Necessary Qualifications:

A tangible qualification that the successful applicant must have is experience in the drilling, completion, and operation of shallow stripper oil and gas wells and the gathering and processing of natural gas. Specific knowledge of processing sour gas is desirable but not necessary.

A second tangible qualification that the successful applicant must have is experience in leading and inspiring those below him in an organization based on leadership and inspiration he has received from above him in the organization.

The Operations Manager will be in charge of about 40 people through five managers including an office manager, a drilling superintendent, a mechanical manager, an oil production manager, and a gas manager.

The Owner is a registered professional engineer who grew up working in the area and retains considerable local knowledge. The Operations Manager will be in constant communications with the Owner by phone, FAX, and email for advice, guidance, and on occasion specific directions.

The Operations Manager will likewise offer advice, guidance and specific directions to the office manager, drilling superintendent, mechanical manager, oil production manager and gas manager to enable them to be successful in their jobs.

There are many intangible qualifications that the successful applicant must possess, including:

• An ability to multi-task
• An ability to change priorities based on changing circumstances
• He must be smart enough to know, and have enough self confidence to admit, what he does not know.
• He must be relentless in finding answers to questions and solutions to problems.
• He must be extremely cost conscious since a stripper operation often runs on very thin financial margins
• He needs excellent organizational skills, particularly in the area of ensuring efficient interactions between the various operational units (mechanical, rigs, oil production, gas operation)
• He needs an ability to clearly communicate directions to those below him and a willingness to encourage and accept feedback which may make him reconsider his directions
• He likewise needs an ability and willingness to clearly communicate unfiltered information, both good and bad, to the Owner so that problems can be identified and resolved as quickly as possible
• He must possess a great deal of common sense

The Operations Manger will deal with the public:

From time to time he will deal with the public, particularly including landowners on properties that we operate, who may have issues with our operations. This will require a good deal of diplomacy in order to maintain a consistent policy. The Owner will give guidance and direction on these matters involving precedents going back many years on a case by case basis.

He will deal with regulatory bodies that might have questions about or issues with our operations. These matters will be dealt with and worked through as they occur. Somont makes every effort to comply with all applicable rules and regulations and works hard to have good relationships with all County, State and Federal authorities. When we make mistakes, we admit them and do what it takes to fix the problem which requires much less effort than trying to hide things.

The Owner will give guidance and direction in these matters as well.

The Operations Manager will deal with employees:

He will be the ultimate decision maker when it comes to hiring, firing, and disciplining employees. A wise Operations Manager will listen closely to the advice his managers give him when making these decisions. A wise Operations Manager will also maintain independent contact with people throughout the organization so that his personnel decisions will include his own assessments.

He will give advice and support to his managers on issues that they have, whether it be technical or personnel. He will draw on his experience to help his managers solve their problems. Sometimes he will use his direct knowledge and other times he will utilize his ability to find third party support. The Owner will always be available to give guidance and advice on both personnel and technical issues and if the Operations Manager and Owner don’t know the answer, they will work together to figure out where to get the answer.

He will set priorities for the managers based on input he receives from the Owner.

He will be responsible for managing the Safety Program which is a very important aspect of Somont’s operation. He will continue the work of the current Operations Manager to ensure that the employees are able to work in a safe environment free of discrimination and harassment.

Procurement of Equipment and Supplies:

It is a nature of the stripper oil and gas business that a great deal of supplies and materials are obtained on the used market. The current Operations Manager has become quite proficient in finding and evaluating used equipment and supplies which Somont is constantly looking for. The future Operations Manager may also have or develop this talent and/or the various managers may become more proficient at finding their own equipment and supplies.

He will advise the Owner when equipment needs to be replaced or upgraded; notably including vehicles.