Seldomly Asked Questions
SAQ’s are similar in concept to FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) except for their… frequency. (We don’t get a lot of questions at the Spear Brothers Group so we appreciate your interest in the few we do receive).
What does your company do?
Many people claim to invest in oil and gas when they fill up at the pump; however our assertions go beyond that. We are official oil and gas investors. What does that mean? We don’t actually produce anything (other than headaches for our accountant), what we do is help others find and coax oil and gas out of the ground.
To accomplish this we allow others to drill on mineral leases we own or rent – this is called a “royalty interest.” We also help fund drilling projects on other people’s leases – this is called a “working interest.” Finally, we listen politely to cold calls from total strangers who ask us to finance their pet projects; when the prospect appears particularly dubious we crinkle paper into the phone while losing connection – this is called “feigned interest.”
Why all the barbed wire?
The barbed wire in the Spear Brothers Group logo has actual meaning beyond the warm and welcoming symbolism. In an effort to explore different career options, the teenage Spear Brothers were encouraged to spend their summers building miles of barbed wire fence on their Aunt Winnie and Uncle Tom’s ranch. After several summers of digging post holes and rolling wire the boys developed a deep appreciation for that line of work and have not been tempted since to return.
The brothers feel that the summers they spent on the family ranch building fences and performing other ranching duties significantly contributed to their overall education. Today, when times get tough at work, they look back (fondly) at the summers spent building fence and remember how grateful they are for their family’s guidance in their career choices.
Why do you have so many companies?
Our decision to repeatedly incorporate is primarily based upon the old adage “You can never be too rich, too thin or own too many oil and gas companies.” We do have a method behind our obvious madness, but it does require a historical perspective (and perhaps an aspirin) to appreciate.
As a philosophy, the parents of the Spear Brothers saw wisdom in creating multiple companies to share the risk among ventures. For many years their sons saw wisdom in retaining thousands of dollars by continuing to keep them separate (i.e., the legal and accounting fees required to seam the companies together were thought to outweigh the benefits of consolidating). As a result, for the first decade of the new century thirteen or so companies operated under the Spear Brothers Group umbrella.
In 2010, a change in the business climate provided us an opportunity to invite three more companies to join the crowd huddled under the umbrella with the intention that someday these three newcomers would comprise the entire oil and gas division of Spear Brothers Group. For more information on the transformation process and its streamlined results, see the company descriptions for the umbrella crashers, Realeza, Trabajo and Tierra, or contact us. It is our goal that someday we will conduct most of our mineral business with only three companies and that this SAQ will be replaced with content of far greater significance.
Other Questions?
Do you have other questions not answered here? Send them to us and we’ll post the answers here. (Not too many or we’ll be forced to change the name of this page.)
Only Paula Dean Could Save this Recipe...
Jan 29, 2012 in Web News
On a recent visit to SBG, Morgan and Mari Jackson shared a soup recipe from Haiti which calls for one fresh torn page from a bible. They explained that some Haitians who lack the ability to read but still want to obey the ancient scripture "man shall not live by bread alone but by the word of God" take matters into their own hands and soup pots. Fortunately for the collective digestive systems of these innovative chefs the Jacksons have been able to offer an improved (although reduced fiber) solution for millions of reading-impaired peoples: scriptures they can ingest by simply listening to them in their native language. Even after hearing this, SBG insisted on providing the snacks for all future meetings.
And the Walls Came Tumbling Down...
Jan 27, 2012 in Web News
Chris Gill returned from Scotland recently to report that in spite of dubious beginnings (see previous post), his picture survey will soon be taken to the next level when it becomes an app for the iPad later this year. Unfortunately, his newly-acquired church building in Bathgate was also taken to a new level - by a recent windstorm. Chris continues to have high expectations for both prospects although he secretly hopes the building repair will indefinitely postpone the Annual Haggis Potluck dinner.
Bagging Groceries and Pigeons
Aug 17, 2011 in Web News
Focused on fortifying the family unit, Steve Partlow paid us a visit and told us stories of how piped-in parenting advice in Indonesian grocery stores causes shoppers to linger in the aisles and ultimately bring more than bags of food back to their families. Motivated by the discussion, SBG insisted on eating lunch immediately after the meeting and made sure Steve's earnest efforts to nurture families were rounded out with a few manly rounds of destroying clay pigeons with shotguns.
Staple Guns Weapon of Choice Here
Aug 02, 2011 in Web News
Helping communities reduce teen violence, STI's and gang activity is the focus of Jim and Carol Wunder's work these days. During their visit they informed us how the nation of Guatemala is slowly being transformed through special character-building curriculum taught in schools there. In spite of the inspiring message, they were able to do little to reduce the violence that typically erupts during the Office Depot freebee giveaway events at SBG.
Pounds Hot to Return to India
Jul 17, 2011 in Web News
Before returning to their home in Kolkata, India, this family of six visited West Texas in July during the Great Drought of 2011. The conversation was win-win as SBG was pleased to learn that their manufacturing business, which frees women from the 'business' they have been trafficked into, was thriving. In turn, the Pounds were pleased to develop a better appreciation for the weather they experience daily in India.