Erik G. Hanson
Co-Founder & President
Erik is a second-generation independent exploration geologist with more than 35 years of experience in the generation, exploration, and development of oil and gas properties in the Texas Gulf Coast and Permian Basin. Prior to co-founding SandPoint, Erik spent 20 years as the co-founder and CEO of Abaco Operating, LLC, located in San Antonio, Texas, where he was involved in working with the entire Abaco staff to generate, fund, drill and complete numerous successful projects in South Texas and the Gulf Coast Region. The Abaco team made successful new field discoveries in the Frio, Vicksburg, Wilcox, and Eagle Ford formations. Erik began his career in 1983 working for Hanson Minerals Co. and Southland Drilling Co., in Corpus Christi, Texas, as a development geologist, exploration manager and later as President of all Gulf Coast operations. For more than 40 years Hanson Minerals Co. was one of the most active independent exploration companies along the Texas Gulf Coast with multiple major field discoveries to its credit.
Erik is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he serves on the Advisory Council for the Jackson School of Geosciences. He also is the founder of the Advisory Council for the Geology School at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Erik is a member of All-American Wildcatters (inducted in 2004). In San Antonio, Erik is active in several non-profit children’s charity organizations as well as wildlife and marine conservation efforts.
Matt Koehler
Co-Founder & VP of Exploration
Matt is an exploration and operational geologist and has led the leasing and development of leasehold positions in Texas and Louisiana for his entire career. Prior to co-founding SandPoint, Matt spent 7 years with BlackBrush Oil & Gas, where he served many roles including Geologist, Exploration and Development Manager, and most recently, Asset Manager – East Texas & Louisiana. Through his various roles at BlackBrush, Matt developed, drilled, and managed unconventional horizontal prospects in multiple formations, including the Eagle Ford, Olmos, San Miguel, Buda, and Austin Chalk throughout Texas and Louisiana. He began his career at XTO Energy in Fort Worth, Texas, working in the Rocky Mountain Geology Division.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Texas Christian University.