LUKE WILKENS, 39

Vice President, Business Development, INEXS Inc., Houston

Hobbies: Playing golf, traveling, fishing

Career path: Oversees all sales and mar-keting for INEXS services. Currently focus-ing on developing the company’s ContractProduction Operations group. Worked in the oil and gas industry out of school forOceaneering International during the late ’90s; decided that the industry wasn’t forhim—yet. Switched to the construction indus-try and honed his business development andsales skills. Returned to oil and gas in 2005 as a business development manager withSchlumberger.

Proudest achievement: While at Schlum-berger, during the height of the shale revolu-tion, co-authored a patent. “Volume Imaging for Hydraulic Fracturing Characterization”utilizesutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to 4-Dutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to crosswellutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to seismicutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to imagingutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to toutilizes 4-D crosswell seismic imaging to analyze stimulated rock volume.

Refocusing: Believes he’s learned more inthe past two years than in all of the previ-ous years combined. Saw a shift in the busi-ness starting in 2014, anticipating oil prices lower for longer and imminent bankruptcies.For 23 of its 26 years in business, INEXS had focused almost exclusively on E&Ps.Recognized untapped space and began attract-ing new client base; began branching out andfostering relationships with law firms, restruc-turing groups and capital providers. Signifi-cant restructuring deals include Magnum Hunter, Sabine.

Mentors: Mark McCallum of Schlumbergertaught him the ropes regarding technical sales “and he was always available to help in anywayway possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-possible.”way possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-Gratefulway possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-toway possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-Richardway possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-Stone-way possible.” Grateful to Richard Stone-burner of Pine Brook, whom he met whileworking at Schlumberger. “He was extremely helpful making several key introductions andalways gave me solid advice. He has been an invaluable reference to me throughout mycareer. I am still very good friends with both of these guys and reach out to them still.”

On the horizon: Presently, furthering workon consulting practice, growing burgeon-ing Contract Production Operations group.In future: Owning his own company. “I am really enjoying myself now so I’m not in ahuge rush. I definitely see that as being the natural progression.”

Luke Wilkens

90 OilandGasInvestor.com • October 2016