Drilling and Production (Onshore - Surface) Consultants: 2

Harold E. McGowen III, PE, offers unparalleled expertise in the Upstream Oil and Gas sector, providing strategic consulting services to optimize operations, enhance profitability, and maximize asset value. With over 40 years of experience in petroleum engineering, field development, and executive leadership, Harold combines technical acumen and strategic vision to deliver measurable results for operators, private equity firms, and industry stakeholders.

As President and CEO of Navidad Operating Company, LLC, Harold has led multimillion-dollar oilfield development projects. His expertise includes horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completion technology, reservoir management, and operational safety. He excels in negotiating joint ventures, structuring acquisitions, and building high-performing teams, helping clients reduce costs and enhance efficiency.

Harold’s consulting services focus on field development optimization, reserves estimation, drilling and completion planning, and asset valuation. He provides actionable insights to improve well performance, mitigate risks, and unlock potential in oilfield assets. With deep knowledge of reservoir engineering and extensive project management experience, Harold offers practical, results-oriented solutions.

In addition, Harold assists clients with strategic planning and business growth. His success in securing capital, managing private equity-backed ventures, and driving innovation underscores his ability to deliver in challenging market conditions. Recognized with Aggie 100 honors and Top CEO accolades, Harold is committed to helping clients navigate complexities and achieve their goals.

View Harold McGowen's Expert Witness Profile.

Reese Energy Consulting (REC) works with independent Oil and Gas Producers, midstream firms, LNG companies, and end-users across all major producing basins and markets in the U.S.

REC offers a diverse range of energy expertise, experience and services throughout every phase of upstream, midstream and downstream processes to help clients maximize their capital investments and commodity value chain.

Consulting Services:

Steve Reese, CEO - As President of Reese Energy Consulting, Steve Reese leads his executive team from offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Houston and Austin. He offers more than 40 years of experience in Upstream and Midstream Processes, Energy Marketing, and Energy Research Projects, and is one of the industry’s leading authorities in Crude Oil, Natural Gas, NGLs, and LNG.

Steve's expertise spans every major U.S. producing basin and is sought out by the nation’s leading independent producers and midstream firms. He has managed literally thousands of natural gas transactions involving hundreds of million dekatherms in the Mid-Continent, Permian and Rockies basins and South Louisiana.

Steve also is President of Reese Energy Training, a nationally recognized energy education firm. His courses in Natural Gas Basics, Gas Midstream and NGL Basics, and Gas Processing Agreements have been shared with more than 10,000 industry professionals. Prior to launching Reese Energy Consulting and Reese Energy Training, Steve held positions with Getty and Texaco. He is an in-demand speaker and lecturer with recent engagements for The Oklahoma Marginal Well Commission, The National Royalty Association, the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association, The Natural Gas Society of Oklahoma, the Desk and Derrick Club, The Oklahoma Law Review, and The Permian Basin Gas Society. Steve and his family make their home in Edmond, OK.

Phil Nickle, Director – Producer Services - Phil brings a wealth of expertise and talents to his role at REC that include all phases of the Value Chain in Natural Gas, Oil, and NGLs in all major producing basins. As Director-Producer Services, he offers a proven track record of successes across the energy spectrum.

Phil's knowledge and know-how are industry recognized in the areas of oil and gas marketing, midstream contract negotiation, gas gathering and processing, business development, and all phases of producer services. Phil’s career-scape includes positions with Candor Midstream, Cimarex Energy, ONEOK Field Services, and DCP. 

Rick O'Bannon - Chief Commercial Officer - Rick’s experience and knowledge of Oil and Gas Producers and Midstream Companies are widely known in the energy industry and include more than 40 years of successes throughout Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and North Louisiana. His impressive career comprises numerous high-profile positions with Enbridge, Coastal Corp, KN Energy, Texaco and Union Texas Petroleum.

Rick offers a breadth of expertise in a wide range of capacities to our Texas-wide clients, including marketing and transportation, acquisitions and divestitures, asset development, auditing, contract reformation, hedging, and gas accounting. 

View REC's Expert Witness Profile.