Tulsa, OK, July 2025 – Brookside Energy Limited (ASX: BRK | OTC: RDFEF) has bolstered its U.S. presence in Tulsa with two key senior hires: Shane Gray, appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Joel Burkhardt, named Investor Relations Analyst. These appointments, sourced through boutique industry recruiters The Energists, and its subsidiary Tall Trees Talent (Tall Trees), mark a deliberate step in Brookside’s plan to scale production, enhance capital efficiency, and elevate investor communication.
This month, The Energists’ Jon Hill checked in with David Prentice, Managing Director and CEO of Brookside Energy to see how things were going, and to glean a general market update.
“These are two outstanding additions to our U.S. team,” commented David. “Shane and Joel each bring a unique set of capabilities and energy to the business, and both have hit the ground running. It’s been excellent working with the teams at The Energists and Tall Trees to identify professionals who align so well with our culture and strategic direction.”
CFO Leadership During Strategic Transition
Reflecting on his original decision to join Brookside Gray noted: “I was drawn to Brookside by the strength of the assets and the clarity of the vision. But more than that, I saw a disciplined business that’s truly focused on capital efficiency and long‑term value creation. It’s exciting to be part of a team that executes well and backs it up with results.”
Prentice shared, “Shane Gray brought extensive experience in the financial management of upstream oil and gas ventures. His leadership in refining the company’s capital allocation, enhancing financial reporting systems, and guiding the NYSE ADR listing process continues to deliver during Brookside’s pivotal growth phase.”
Traditional E&P Debt Markets: Still There
Recapping the prior 90-day check-in The Energists had with Shane and David in Tulsa last year, one thing that stood out as an early highlight was the of establishment of Brookside’s debt facilities on a “no fuss” basis on day one.
Jon: “This was pleasantly surprising at the time as it seemed to run counter to the standing opinion on credit access for upstream enterprises like Brookside”
David: “Yes, it was good, and we were happy with who all turned up but bear in mind that bank lending to fossil fuels remains significant. Interestingly, the largest banks placed more debt into oil, gas and coal in 2024 than they did during 2023. Investment-grade financing remains accessible for E&Ps with robust credit strength, primarily for refinancing and selective acquisitions. However, high-yield debt has become notably more expensive and investor-unfriendly due to tighter risk appetites. These things are nuanced but a competitive market does exist.”
“At the end of the day, it remains all about management team credibility – did we do what we said we would? If the answer is yes, then your money is safe with us.”
Jon: “There was an interesting article in the FT by Steffen Pauls this month; he spoke of how the era of low interest rate ‘financial engineering’ as the primary route to returns is over for PE. Did you see it?”
David: “I did indeed, it was very interesting. But we’re not PE, and our model has always been to use capital discipline to deliver returns.”
Capital Market Outlook
Jon: “We go to a lot of capital events and engage with organizations funded in just about every imaginable way. Over the last 10 years we have seen the energy funding appetite pendulum swing from one side to the other, and now it may even appear as if it might be pointing straight down. Additionally, we are seeing regional variances in energy mix outlook and fiscal policy. How do you see things changing in the public markets over the next few years?”
David: “On a global scale, producer countries are competing intensively to attract upstream capital, via fiscal and regulatory reforms. Examples include Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria, Egypt, and some others lowered access barriers in 2024 and early 2025” responded David. “Until mid‑2030s, S&P Global forecasts continued access to capital for oil & gas producers, but we should expect higher financing costs and tighter terms from that point forward. Additionally, private credit in oil & gas has surged since 2021, a shift that coincided with a retreat by many traditional banks.”
Investor Relations Expertise to Drive Engagement
Closer to home, more recently Joel Burkhardt joined Brookside’s team in Tulsa as Investor Relations Analyst, bringing a strong background in energy sector finance and strategic communications. Tasked with improving investor outreach, Burkhardt has significantly enhanced the data room across Brookside’s Form F‑1 filing process and is leading efforts on due diligence coordination.
Joel: “There’s a clear narrative here, disciplined growth, high‑quality acreage, and a real commitment to transparency.”
“I’m excited to help tell that story more effectively and ensure our messaging resonates with both institutional and retail investors.”
Impact and Strategic Value
These two hires reflect Brookside’s continuing transition from development to scale. With nine horizontal wells already online in its SWISH Play, the Company is shifting toward repeatable production results, disciplined capital deployment, and enhanced market presence.
David: “These hires were all about outcomes. We didn’t just want titles; we wanted real people who could make an impact. Shane and Joel have done exactly that. It’s been a pleasure working with The Energists and Tall Trees to bring them onboard. Acquiring the right competencies was just one part, the team cohesion and alignment gives us great excitement as we head into our next evolutionary phase.”
Brookside’s commitment to building a high-performance team in Tulsa underscores the commercial maturity of its Anadarko Basin footprint and its strategy to deliver shareholder value through operational excellence and transparent capital management.
For more information:
About Brookside, Contact jburkhardt@blkmesa.com
About The Energists, Contact: aeasterwood@springwoodmarketing.com