Back in January, REC shared news from Fort Worth-based TXO Partners, reporting it had identified a natural gas motherlode in the San Juan’s Mancos Shale that could yield 3 TCFE. The oil and gas veteran behind this discovery is hardly a stranger to big bets and even bigger deals. Bob Simpson is what you might call a hydrocarbon whisperer. And where he’s found success before is where he’s on track to find more.

Reese Energy Consulting today is following the latest from TXO, which Simpson formed in 2010 following the sale of his XTO Energy. The $41 billion shock-and-awe deal with ExxonMobil was considered at the time one of the largest transactions in history for an independent E&P. Aside from the sizeable Permian eye-candy in the package, Exxon also brought home a Williston powerhouse Simpson had built over a decade. But not quite all of it.

TXO last June was back in the Williston saddle again, adding meat to its bones with two acquisitions in the Elm Coulee field in Mont., and Russian Creek field in N.D. But it wasn’t done yet. Bob Simpson in April stepped down as CEO, taking the role of chairman of the board of directors. The Williston continues to be part of his legacy with TXO now announcing its $350 million acquisition of White Rock Resources’ producing assets in both the Elm Coulee and Russian Creek fields, which are expected to add 6.8 MBOED with proved developed reserves of 25 MMBOE.