Mirror Image Operating is led by a focused executive team with deep experience in land, deal structuring, and project execution.

The company is supported by a network of highly experienced geoscience, engineering, and field advisors who are engaged on a project basis.

Mirror Image Operating prioritizes the use of local expertise wherever possible. Land, geological, and field activities are supported by experienced professionals with direct knowledge of the region, ensuring practical execution, strong relationships, and alignment with local conditions.

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Mike Thompson

Founder & Managing Member
Michael Thompson leads Mirror Image Operating, where he is responsible for strategy, capital formation, and execution of upstream oil and gas projects. His experience spans both upstream and midstream environments, with a focus on disciplined capital deployment, deal structuring, and operational alignment in complex subsurface environments.

Mike has served on many boards, including multiple roles as Audit Committee Chair of publicly traded companies, bringing strong governance, financial oversight, and risk management to the business. He has been involved in evaluating and executing energy projects across multiple basins, working closely with technical teams, operators, and capital partners to advance opportunities from concept through execution.

In addition to his energy experience, Mike has led joint ventures, distribution partnerships, and market entry strategies across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He is fluent in Japanese and has deep experience operating companies in Japan and broader Asia, including forming subsidiaries of Fortune 500 companies.
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Adrienne Patout-Smith

Land & Project Manager | Health, Safety & Environment
Adrienne Patout-Smith serves as Land and Project Manager for Mirror Image Operating, where she leads land acquisition, leasing strategy, and project coordination across all phases of development. She works closely with internal teams, technical experts, and service partners to ensure clear communication, accurate documentation, and alignment between land, geological, and operational activities.

Adrienne holds a Master of Science in Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Management (SSEM), with a focus on stringent safety protocols, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance in oil and gas operations. She has a strong foundation in maintaining disciplined operational frameworks, ensuring all activities are executed in accordance with applicable guidelines and best practices.

With experience spanning land management and stakeholder engagement, Adrienne brings a structured, process-driven approach to operations. Her background includes supporting projects in regulated, multi-stakeholder environments, with an emphasis on coordination, execution, and maintaining high standards of safety, compliance, and community engagement.

Technical & Strategic Team

Mirror Image Operating engages a select group of experienced technical and strategic partners to support subsurface evaluation, engineering design, and field execution. The company emphasizes the use of local geologists, land professionals, and field specialists, complemented by a broader network of full-time and outsourced experts aligned to each phase of the project.

Core capabilities include:

  • Geology and geophysics interpretation and seismic analysis
  • Reservoir and petroleum engineering
  • Drilling and completion design
  • Field operations and execution support
  • Artificial intelligence and data-driven subsurface analysis
  • Academic and research collaboration

Collaboration with Texas Christian University (TCU)

The company maintains an active collaboration with TCU to support research, technical validation, and the application of advanced analytical methods within its projects. This relationship enhances the company’s technical rigor and provides access to emerging capabilities, strengthening subsurface evaluation and supporting more informed decision-making across the project lifecycle.