RPL/CPL Certification Exam Review - Midland

Trey Brantley

Senior Commercial Advisor, Shell

Trey Brantley is a Senior Commercial Advisor with Shell supporting deepwater exploration and development projects. He is a Certified Professional Landman (CPL) and attorney with more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry spanning land, legal, commercial, business development, and joint venture management roles.

Throughout his career, Trey has worked on a wide range of upstream transactions and asset management activities, including lease acquisitions and divestitures, operating agreements, farmouts, exploration and development projects, infrastructure arrangements, and complex joint venture negotiations. His experience includes both onshore and offshore assets across multiple U.S. basins, including the Permian Basin, Appalachia, Haynesville, and deepwater Gulf of Mexico.

In his current role, Trey is the Commercial Advisor for Shell's Appomattox asset. He is responsible for all commercial matters related to the asset and supports exploration and development opportunities across the surrounding Norphlet trend. His work includes joint venture management, commercial stewardship, operating agreements, infrastructure arrangements, and coordination with co-owners to advance exploration and development projects. Trey is an active member of the American Association of Professional Landmen and serves as an instructor for AAPL's RPL/CPL Review Course, where he enjoys helping land professionals prepare for certification and develop the practical skills needed for long-term success in the industry.

A. Frank Klam

Independent

Frank graduated from University of Texas with Honors with a degree in Petroleum Land Management in 1972. He started his career with Amoco Production Company and later worked for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation as a Division Landman for the Houston Onshore and Offshore Divisions, and as Vice President of Land for North Central Oil Corporation. He became an Independent in 1985, and specialized in due diligence for producing property acquisitions.

Frank has been active in both the local and national landmen associations, serving as President of HAPL in 1981 and as Chairman of the Publications Committee for AAPL.

Frank has been married since 1970, and he and his wife, Carlee, have four children, and thirteen grandchildren.

Christine Touchstone

Land Manager, LaFrak Energy

Christine Touchstone, CPL is the Land Manager for LeFrak Energy, the oil & gas division of the LeFrak Organization, a privately held real estate and investment company based in New York City.  She joined LeFrak in February 2011 and manages LeFrak’s many oil and gas assets currently in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and works with its acquisition and divestitures team. Prior to joining LeFrak, Christine worked as a contract landman in the Eagle Ford and Barnett shales and the East Texas, Fort Trinidad, and Cotton Valley Stockton fields for PetroHawk, Newfield Exploration, Red Oak Capital Management and TXCO. 
 
Christine served as HAPL’s Region IV Director for AAPL during ‘’22-’24 where she was recognized by AAPL for Best Director Communication (’22-’23), is a Past HAPL Assistant Treasurer, A Past Director of HAPL, a Past Chair of HAPL’s Executive Night, is active in HAPL’s Mentorship Program, HAPL’s Executive Night Committee and has served on both HAPL’s Saturday Seminar Committee and Night Committees.  Christine was honored as HAPL’s Outstanding Landman of the Year in 2024.  An active member of the American Association of Professional Landmen, Christine is an RPL/CPL Review Instructor, served as AAPL Secretary (’24-’25), Education Czar (’23-’24), Chair of AAPL’s Education Committee (‘22-’23) where she was recognized by AAPL with a special award for her efforts in education, Chair of AAPL’s Certification Education Committee (’21-’22), is a mentor for the AAPL Mentorship Program, and has served on multiple AAPL Committees, including three years on the NAPE Operations Committee,  as well as the Annual Meeting and Education Committees.  She is serving in her fourth year as Co-Chair on AAPL’s Institute - Women in Energy: Powering the Industry, is serving in her second year as Director and Secretary of AAPL’s Educational Foundation, is the incoming Assistant Chair of the AAPL Certification Committee and serves on AAPL’s History Book 1985-2025 Ad Hoc Committee and is an AAPL RPL/CPL Exam Instructor.  Christine was recognized by AAPL for her committee involvement, both locally and nationally, at AAPL’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
 
A Past Vice President, Director, Clay Shoot Co-Chair and Education Event Chair for the West Houston Association of Professional Landmen of which she remains a member, Christine is also a member of The North Houston and Alaska, Associations of Professional Landmen.  In addition to her involvement with HAPL and AAPL, Christine is a Past President of the Junior League of The Woodlands and formerly held a seat on the University of Houston Bauer College of Business “From Management to Leadership” Task Force.  
 
A native of Houston, Texas, Ms. Touchstone graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science, received her certification in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Texas, and AAPL’s Renewable Energy certificate. She enjoys traveling, reading, the beach, the family cabin in Alaska, and spending quality time with family, friends and her fur baby, Gidget.