Steve Collins is the Vice President of Operations and Secretary at Five States Energy, where he has overseen the firm’s operations and land departments for over two decades. In this role, Steve manages the technical, legal, and regulatory functions of the company’s oil and gas assets across multiple states, working closely with federal agencies, hedge providers, and lending institutions to ensure operational and financial efficiency.
Steve plays a central role in coordinating reserve-based lending agreements for both corporate and fund-level entities, while also supporting legal efforts related to acquisitions, divestitures, leasing, and compliance. His work ensures that Five States maintains the ability to hedge production and operate effectively across its diverse asset base.
With more than 50 years of oil and gas experience, Steve brings unmatched industry knowledge and a hands-on approach to asset management. He began his career as a field engineer and went on to serve in technical and executive roles across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America. He spent 10 years with Llano, Inc., where he led efforts to drill, transport, and store natural gas, including pipeline installation and pressure maintenance operations tied to regional electric generation. He also served as Chief Operating Engineer at Halliburton Resource Management, managing large-scale equipment rental and enhanced recovery projects, including CO₂ flooding and H₂S removal systems. During that time, he represented Halliburton in joint ventures with Pemex and McMoRan.
Before joining Five States, Steve spent a decade as a partner at Wellspring Partners, LLC, a boutique advisory firm focused on A&D transactions for operating companies throughout the U.S.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from New Mexico State University. He attended on a scholarship while holding a top-secret security clearance, operating satellite tracking stations around the world under contract with Johns Hopkins University.
He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the American Association of Petroleum Landmen.
Outside the office, Steve enjoys golf, fishing, bird hunting, and spending time with his two daughters and four grandsons.