Catena Resources

Established in March 2018, and based in San Antonio, Catena Resources focuses on opportunities in the upstream oil and gas space using a combination of strong business development skills and technical expertise. Catena’s leadership has worked together for many years with a focus on best-in-class operations and integrity.

Carnelian is an energy investment firm based in Houston, Texas. With $1 billion of cumulative equity commitments, Carnelian focuses on lower-to-middle market equity investments in the North American upstream, midstream and oilfield services sectors. 

Wm. Jason Edwards, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Jason Edwards serves as Chief Executive Officer of Catena Resources, LLC. Prior to co-founding Catena, Mr. Edwards was the Director of Business Development for Forge Energy. He guided a multidisciplinary team responsible for acquiring and assembling the assets Forge eventually sold to Oasis Petroleum. Prior to Forge, Mr. Edwards held key operational roles at companies including 3V Energy, Jones Energy and Halliburton.  Mr. Edwards graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas and with a Masters of Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. He also was a letterman for the University of Texas football team.

Vince Smith, Co-Founder and Vice President of Geoscience

Mr. Vince Smith serves as Vice President of Geoscience of Catena Resources, LLC. Prior to co-founding Catena, Mr. Smith was the Geologic Advisor for Forge Energy, where he was instrumental in helping Forge identify its target focus area in the Delaware Basin. Prior to Forge, he held key roles at companies including San Angelo Oil, Blackbend Resources and Jones Energy.  Mr. Smith graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Baylor University.

Kelley Burch, Vice President of Land / Director of Business Development

Mr. Kelley Burch serves as Vice President of Land and Director of Business Development of Catena Resources, LLC. Mr. Burch has over 30 years of E&P experience in land, A&D, business development, new ventures, and asset management. He held key roles at Tenneco, Hunt Oil Company, Brigham Exploration, Newfield Exploration Company, NRP, and Vitruvian.  Mr. Burch graduated with a BBA in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Oklahoma, Price College of Business and is a Certified Professional Landman.

Rick Castagno, Vice President of Reservoir Engineering

Mr. Rick Castagno serves as Vice President of Reservoir Engineering of Catena Resources, LLC. Mr. Castagno has over 37 years of reservoir engineering and management, opportunity assessment and prioritization, project management, portfolio analysis, and business planning. Mr. Castagno held various technical and management positions with Opal Resources, Goldking, Texas Petroleum Investment, Advantage Energy Services, and Conoco.  Mr. Castagno graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University.