Alex E. Benton

ALEX E. BENTON, founder of Benton Oil and Gas Company, was first elected
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company in
September 1988. In 1968, Mr. Benton began his career at Amoco
Corporation where he ultimately became Director of Applied Geophysical
Research. Amoco had built an enviable reputation among the largest oil
companies in the world by stressing state of the art geophysical
techniques. While at Amoco, Mr. Benton organized the geophysical
exploration program that eventually led to the discovery in the
Overthrust Belt. Also while at Amoco, Mr. Benton was directly
responsible for the discoveries in the Louisiana Tuscaloosa Trend of
South Louisiana at Moore-Sams, Lockhard Crossing and Port Hudson fields.
Mr. Benton also was Manager of Geophysics for Mobil’s largest affiliate
with responsibility for exploration in new frontier areas worldwide. Mr.
Benton left the ‘major oil company’ environment and joined May Petroleum
Inc. in 1981, where he became Senior Vice President of Exploration. Mr.
Benton was responsible for the largest oil and gas discoveries in May
Petroleum’s history. Mr. Benton has a B.S. degree from California State
University.