About Us

Darrell Atkins learned to love the oil & gas industry at an early age when he started working as a roustabout for his grandfather at C.F. Haas Oil and Gas in Corpus Christi, TX, during his summer breaks in high school. Upon graduating from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, with a Bachelor of Science in Business/Finance, Mr. Atkins pursued his career in the oil and gas industry starting a job in the service sector working for Weatherford International. He was one of three employees Weatherford hired into their international management training program.  During his thirteen years with Weatherford, Mr. Atkins gained extensive experience with downhole drilling tools, pressure control, fishing services, pipe recovery, thru-tubing, and drilling stabilization, eventually serving as District Manager of the South Texas region.

In 2007 Mr. Atkins accepted a job with Acock/Anaqua Operating Company, LP (AAOC) as Drilling Manager and went on to successfully drill and complete 153 wells along the TX Gulf Coast. Most of the wells drilled were straight hole Frio Formation oil and gas wells along with high capacity SWD wells capable of disposing 12,000-14,000 bbls of water daily. Over his fifteen years at AAOC, Mr. Atkins worked closely with geologists and engineers to successfully redevelop mature oil and gas fields throughout South Texas giving him experience in all aspects of operations. Mr. Atkins spent the last six years as President/CEO of AAOC before partnering with Calvert Jones and starting Paloma Operating, LLC in 2022.

When away from the office Mr. Atkins enjoys the saltwater and brush country of South TX with his wife, two children, and friends.

Calvert Jones has a well-rounded background in the oil & gas industry with over 20 years of multi-faceted, safety-centered, experience in exploration, drilling, completions, and production operations of oil and gas wells.  He also has extensive experience in the service sector as a well service contractor and a drilling rig contractor.  

Mr. Jones received a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.  Mr. Jones began his oil and gas engineering career at EOG Resources and worked in various roles of increasing responsibility from 2002 to 2009 where he was a Sr. Drilling Engineer in their Corpus Christi Division office.  Mr. Jones’ drilling experience includes both vertical and horizontal development programs in South Texas including a specialization in HTHP drilling.  Mr. Jones was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Orion Drilling where he worked his way through the ranks from 2009 to 2019 holding several positions from Turnkey Drilling Engineer to Chief Operating Officer.  Most recently, Mr. Jones served as Chief Operating Officer at Acock/Anaqua Operating Company, LP (AAOC) and sister company Downhole Analysis and Evaluation Co. (DAECO) from 2019 to 2022 where he specialized in reducing costs, streamlining operations, and improving production.  

When away from the office Mr. Jones enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife and two daughters.  He is also an active member of the Corpus Christi API Chapter.