William J. O'Brien IV

William O’Brien is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Performance Operating Partners. Prior to forming Performance Operating Partners, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of O’Brien Energy Company until September 2019. He joined O’Brien Energy Company in 2010 as Vice-President of Acquisitions, Planning & Development, and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in 2013.

 

During his tenure, William led the company’s transition into horizontal oil development, expanded its operations to new basins, directed the successful generation of new exploitation assets, and effectively managed the company’s strategy, planning, and execution. He was instrumental in raising equity capital, bringing in new institutional partners, renewing and expanding the credit facility, and managing the company’s hedging program. William also helped navigate an 18-month long recapitalization and restructuring process which ultimately resulted in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process in September 2019.

 

William began his career as a Petroleum Engineer with Devon Energy. During his three-year employment, he rotated through all PE disciplines (Drilling, Completion, Production, Reservoir & BD) in STX & ETX. William is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering in 2006. Additionally, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Energy Finance and Accounting Certificate from the University of Houston.

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Outside of the E&P business, William has investment and executive management experience in almost all aspects of the energy business including services, minerals, midstream, and renewables, serving as Chairman of the Board, Director, and/or an Executive Officer in each situation.

Outside of the energy business, William serves as a director for the Miami International Options Exchange, the largest privately held options exchange in the US, and has investment and executive management experience in the commercial real estate and restaurant industries. 

William has served and supported many community organizations throughout the years including Holy Angels, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Petroleum Club of Shreveport, and Community Renewal International.