054 - Inside Due Diligence: The Real Work Behind Energy Deals with Kyle Dubiel & Bryce Winters

Two industry experts break down the complete oil and gas M&A due diligence process from both buyer and broker perspectives. Kyle Dubiel from Eagle Mountain and Bryce Winters from Dudley Land Company walk through everything from pre-bid VDR evaluation to post-close integration, sharing real-world insights on team mobilization, defect identification, and timeline management.What You’ll LearnHow to structure and scope due diligence teams for maximum efficiencyThe critical importance of allocated value schedules in PSA negotiationsWhy most defects come from material contracts, not title issuesBest practices for VDR organization and early deal evaluationHow to balance diligence speed with thoroughness under tight deadlinesTime Stamps00:55 - Episode Intro02:23 - The Phases of Due Diligence04:15 - Understanding the Due Diligence Process09:10 - Evaluating Assets and Marketed Deals31:21 - Budgeting and Diligence Timeline31:46 - Allocation of Value in Bidding34:49 - Financing and Bank Allocated Value Schedules36:45 - Organizing Due Diligence Workflow40:58 - Handling Title Defects and Material Contracts42:44 - Defect Thresholds and Deductibles47:10 - Importance of Consents and Preferences49:53 - Due Diligence Workbooks and Team Structure59:44 - Post-Close Organizational Efforts01:03:40 - Final Thoughts and Best PracticesSnippets from the Episode“Due diligence is the Taco Bell of land work. It's great when you go into it, but by the time you're done, you say you'll never do that again."— Brent Broussard"The bulk of our defects are found in consents and contracts. That's where almost everything comes from."— Bryce Winters"You're trying to do something in 30 days that it took a company years to put together."— Brent Broussard"Communication is key. If you can do that with whoever you're working with, you're gonna set yourself up for success."— Kyle Dubiel"The greatest thing about giving your team a heads up is that they think for free—you're not paying 'em on the clock."— Brent BroussardKey TakeawaysEarly Communication Prevents Timeline DisastersMaterial Contracts Drive Most Modern Title DefectsAllocated Value Schedules Determine Team StructureVDR Quality Signals Asset Management CompetencyDefect Thresholds Require Strategic Portfolio ThinkingPost-Close Organization Maximizes Diligence InvestmentClear Objectives Lists Keep Teams FocusedHelp us improve our podcast! Share your thoughts in our quick survey.⁠⁠ResourcesNeed Help With A Project? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Meet With Dudley⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need Help with Staffing? Connect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dudley Staffing ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Streamline Your Title Process with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dudley Select Title⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch On ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Dudley Land Co. On⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have Questions? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠More From Our GuestsKyle Dubiel - Vice President of BD, Land & Legal at Eagle Mountain Energy PartnersEagle Mountain Energy Partners websiteConnect with Kyle on LinkedInBryce Winters - Land Director - Western US, Dudley Land CompanyConnect with Bryce on LinkedInMore from Our HostsConnect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInConnect with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Khalil ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on LinkedInConnect With UsReady to protect your land projects with integrated legal and title support? Our Dudley Select Title division works seamlessly with experienced oil and gas counsel to keep your deals on track and defensible. Contact us to learn how our complete energy partnership approach includes the legal expertise that matters when stakes are high.