About Us

Who We Are

Alaska Venture Capital Group (AVCG) was the concept of Bart Armfield, a seasoned oil professional with over 10 years of hands-on experience on Alaska's North Slope. In 1999, Bart partnered with another long-time oilman, John J. "Bo" Darrah, to pursue leaseholds on the Slope yeilding significant oil finds to most standards, but are overlooked by the international oil giants. Together Bart and Bo gathered significant evidence from experienced Alaska geologists, laying the groundwork for a successful venture. Bo acquired the initial 3,750 acres of land, promoted the idea within the oil industry and in 2000 AVCG was born.

In its initial years, AVCG focused on strategic land acquisitions. By the end of 2005, AVCG's North Slope acreage position increased to over 150,000 acres. This large increase in strategic acreage spurred the hiring of several highly experienced oil industry leaders as well as the equity investment of Ken Thompson, former CEO of ARCO Alaska, who became the Managing Director of AVCG.

To date, BRPC has drilled three exploration wells, drilled three side-tracks and has shot 340 square miles of 3D seismic data. BRPC continues to strive toward becoming Alaska's first small independent, full-cycle, E&P company.

Click here to learn more details about BRPC's Activities or here to learn about our Prospects.

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Leadership

Ken Thompson Managing Director, AVCG, LLC

Ken Thompson has been an influential leader in Alaska's oil & gas industry since 1994. As the President, CEO and Chairman of ARCO Alaska, Inc., Ken Thompson reduced drilling and operational costs by over 30% and reduced ARCO's exploration costs by 50%. In addition to these dramatic cost reductions, Ken led business and exploration strategies that resulted in the discovery of 1.5 Billion barrels of oil, thus reversing the oil production decline for ARCO Alaska, Inc.

Ken Thompson continued to diversify his leadership experience through his role as Executive Vice President for ARCO's Asia Pacific Region. As an equity member and Managing Director of AVCG, LLC., Ken is leveraging his major company leadership and technology experience to ensure AVCG and BRPC are maximizing profitable opportunities on Alaska's North Slope.

Ken currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Alaska Air Group (ALK), Coeur d’Alene Mines Corporation (CDE), and Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK).

Edgar Dunne Managing Member, AVCG, LLC

As a third generation entrepreneur, Edger Dunne has over 25 year of experience in the oil industry. He is the sole owner of Dunne Equities Inc. (DEI) and Dunne Equities Operating, Inc., a subsidiary of DEI, which operates over 100 wells throughout the midcontinent region with significant acreage holdings in Kansas, eastern Colorado, southern Oklahoma, and eastern Wyoming. DEI continues to grow its reserve base, primarily through the drill bit.

Additionally, Mr. Dunne has started and sold two other companies, Hugoton Ventures and KAGE, Inc. He has negotiated the acquisition of numerous properties and prospects with major companies such as Texaco/Chevron, ExxonMobil, OXY, USA and Anadarko.

Mr. Dunne continues to take an active role in AVCG and BRPC spending approximately half his time in Anchorage and assisting BRPC with its ongoing negotiations with the State of Alaska and other North Slope operators.

The Dunne companies own 20% of the AVCG, LLC.

John J. "Bo" Darrah, Jr. President / CEO

Bo Darrah has over 35 years of experience as an owner and operator of profitable independents across the Midwest. The Darrah Oil Company has been in operation since 1971 and currently manages over 50 producing properties in Kansas and Wyoming. As a founder of Pintail Petroleum, Ltd., Bo acted as General Manager from its inception in 1980 through 1990. Pintail Petroleum continues to be produce and is currently operating over 200 properties in North Dakota, Colorado, and Kansas.

Bo Darrah has also founded and lead Mallard Drilling Co., which has continued to produce since its inception in 1978. Bo’s comprehensive experience leading Midwestern independents has amplified BRPC’s knowledge of efficient operation and exploration. As cofounder and managing partner of AVCG, Bo Darrah continues to control costs through the execution of refined business practices and management strategies.

Bart Armfield VP of Field Operations

Bart, a co-founder of AVCG, LLC, brings over 29 years of hands-on field leadership experience to BRPC. His intimate knowledge of North Slope operations was built through a wide variety of responsibilities in one of North America’s most complex and prolific fields. Bart’s experience includes exploration and development drilling support, field development, processing, and fabrication and installation of facilities. His North Slope knowledge also includes project management, road and pad construction, and infrastructure construction and maintenance.

In addition to his exploration experience, Bart managed contractor services, developed maintenance strategies, managed employee training and development, and coordinated field logistics. He managed facility and operational staffing associated with field operations and production of 50,000 BOPD.

Doug Hastings Vice President, Exploration

With over 30 years in the industry, Doug Hastings strengthens BRPC's leadership team with expertise in geology and geophysics as well as project management. In addition to 25 years' North Slope experience, Doug has explored in the Cook Inlet, the Rocky Mountains and the North Sea.

Doug was a key player in the historic Alpine and Tarn discoveries, and guided sanction and development of the 100 million barrel Tarn Field. He has worked most of the producing reservoirs on the North Slope.

Doug adds the experience and perspective of ARCO's successful North Slope exploration experience to the Brooks Range Management Team.

Larry Smith Chief Geophysicist

Larry has over 27 years of experience in exploration geophysics. He spent 16 of those years on international new venture projects for Unocal before moving to Alaska to work in the Cook Inlet Basin. In 2002, Larry became an independent consultant providing services for various independent Alaskan operators.

In 2006, Larry joined BRPC as the Chief Geophysicist. His international experience combined with his technical knowledge of Alaska’s industry practices, strengthen BRPC’s knowledge North Slope exploration.

Jim Winegarner VP of Land & External Relations

With almost 30 years in the oil and gas industry, and 19 of those years on Alaska’s North Slope, Jim Winegarner represents the kind of experienced leadership that is indicative of BRPC. During the 1980’s Jim was Landman for Hunt Energy and Placid Oil. He added major company experience to his resume in the late 80’s when he became Landman for ARCO Alaska, Inc. and it’s successor, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.

Jim gained extensive experience on the North Slope through his exploration and development Land work on winter exploration drilling and seismic projects, and unitization work associated with Prudhoe Bay, Kuparuk River, and Colville River units..

After joining BRPC in 2006, Jim successfully more than double AVCG’s gross acreage position and obtained surface access from Kuukpik Corporation, the Nuiqsut village corporation. Jim is currently responsible for lease acquisition and maintenance, farm-in and farm-out agreements, working interest owner joint venture agreements, and joint operating agreements. He is also responsible for obtaining exploration permits and managing the development permitting effort for the proposed North Shore Development Project. In addition to his permitting efforts, Jim also oversees the contracting and procurement process for BRPC.

Tom Habermann Controller

Tom brings a global business and accounting background to BRPC. While living in the Ukraine, in eastern Europe, Tom worked for the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs where he allocated federal aid funds for projects of this developing nation and managed development projects. He moved on to become the General Manager for Leopolis, Ltd. Through Leopolis, Tom built two successful businesses from ground level and designed custom accounting systems.

In Alaska, Tom has served as the Controller of Arctic Builders Source, a Senior Accounting Consultant for Mikunda Cottrell Accounting & Consulting and now as the Controller of BRPC. Tom has a proven record of implementing policies and procedures that vastly improve efficiency and increase profit margins.