How to Build an Oil & Gas Team from Scratch in 60 Days

What Claude Thorpe Learned While Standing Up a 400-Well Operation

When a private equity group handed Claude Thorpe the keys to a 400-well acquisition, he didn’t get a six-month runway.

He got a handshake… and a deadline.

The operation had to be stood up in 60 days. No excuses. No buffer.

From land and drilling to HSE and production accounting, the entire framework needed to be built — fast. And it was.

Because Claude had done it before. And he knew what most operators forget: you don’t scale by speed alone — you scale with structure.

The Myth of “Just Hire Fast”

There’s a panic mode that kicks in when deals close. Everyone scrambles. Résumés fly. Contractors flood in.

But Claude’s view? That’s how corners get cut and cultures get broken.

Here’s how he approached it instead — and how your team can too.

5 Lessons from Scaling a Full Ops Team in 60 Days

1. Start with Culture, Not Headcount

Claude didn’t just fill seats. He defined what kind of team they were building — accountable, resourceful, relational. Hiring decisions flowed from values, not just résumés.

2. Build Your Process Spine First

Before hiring field staff, Claude mapped out every workflow — from AFE approval to production allocation. Without that skeleton, new hires create chaos, not clarity.

3. Over-Communicate the Mission

When speed is required, alignment is non-negotiable. Claude brought in team leads early, reinforced goals daily, and ensured everyone understood both the timeline and the purpose behind it.

4. Use External Partners… Strategically

Claude leaned on trusted consultants and third-party vendors — but only where it didn’t dilute accountability. The core team had to own the outcomes. Vendors filled gaps, not roles.

5. Train for Autonomy, Not Dependency

From day one, team members were coached to solve problems, not escalate them. The goal wasn’t to build a team that worked hard — it was to build a team that could lead.

What Operators Can Learn From This

Fast growth doesn’t have to mean sloppy execution.

If you build with the right values, structure your workflows early, and recruit people who care more about outcomes than ego… you’ll not only scale quickly — you’ll scale well.

And when things go sideways (they always do), your team won’t just react. They’ll respond with clarity, trust, and alignment.

Final Thought

Whether you’re acquiring assets, launching a startup, or taking over a legacy operation — speed matters.

But structure matters more.

Claude proved that you can build a real team, with real ownership, on a fast timeline… if you focus on the how, not just the who.

That’s how 60 days can change everything.