Harold Hamm’s Merger Positions Him to Lead the Nation’s Largest Independent Oil Trade Group

The Domestic Energy Producers Alliance (DEPA) merged with the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) this summer, effective July 1. The deal gave DEPA’s leadership 15 seats on IPAA’s board—over a quarter of the total—and positioned oil-wildcatter Harold Hamm, founder of Continental Resources, to become the de-facto head of the combined organization, though no formal title has been announced.

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Hamm founded Continental Resources in 1967 as a one-truck operation in Enid, Oklahoma, and grew it into a multibillion-dollar shale-oil producer. His net worth is estimated at more than $20 billion. Hamm has long served as an energy adviser to Republican politicians, including Mitt Romney in 2012 and former President Donald Trump, who called him “my original oil guy.”

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IPAA, founded over 80 years ago, represents independent exploration and production firms, contrasting with integrated majors such as Exxon Mobil and Chevron. The group’s revenue peaked at $14.5 million in 2014 but fell by two-thirds after the pandemic and the loss of several large independents to rival associations.

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Following the merger, DEPA members occupy 15 of IPAA’s board seats. Current chair Mike Hillebrand is slated to finish his term at year-end, and IPAA spokesperson Abigail Miller said the organization is reconsidering the chair election timing to accommodate Hamm’s “expressed interest” in the role.

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Industry insiders, including DEPA board member Patrick Montalban, assert that Hamm will effectively act as chairman, even without a formal designation. An anonymous executive echoed this view, stating that Hamm is “there to run it,” not merely to offer suggestions.

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• 15 DEPA board seats on IPAA (over 25 % of total).

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• $14.5 million IPAA revenue peak in 2014; revenues later fell by roughly two-thirds.

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• $5 million+ contributed by Hamm to Trump-aligned political efforts since 2016.

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• $20 billion+ estimated net worth of Hamm (Forbes ranking: 136th richest globally).

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Miller emphasized that the association’s staff have testified before Congress frequently in recent years, suggesting continued legislative engagement.

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Analysts note that Hamm’s influence could steer IPAA toward a more confrontational approach to environmental regulation, mirroring DEPA’s past support for repealing the EPA’s endangerment finding—a key legal basis for climate-related rules. If Hamm assumes formal leadership, the association may prioritize litigation and lobbying aimed at rolling back remaining climate regulations, potentially reshaping the lobbying landscape for independent oil producers.

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IPAA is reviewing its chair-selection timeline, with a decision expected before the current chair’s term ends later this year. The outcome will determine whether Hamm officially assumes the chairmanship or continues to lead informally.

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