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What is Nicolas Puech’s Net Worth?
Jeffery Hildebrand, a prominent figure in the American oil and gas industry, has an estimated net worth of $13.7 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States.
Hildebrand’s financial success is primarily attributed to his role as the founder, chairman, and CEO of Hilcorp Energy Company, which he co-founded in 1990. Hilcorp has grown to become the largest privately held oil and gas producer in the United States, with operations spanning across Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Alaska. The company’s significant production capacity and strategic acquisitions, such as the $5.6 billion purchase of BP’s Alaskan assets in 2020, have been pivotal in enhancing Hildebrand’s wealth.
In addition to his primary business, Hildebrand holds a notable stake in Archrock, Inc., a natural gas contract compression services company, through his holding companies JDH Holdings and Hildebrand Enterprises.
His diversified investments and ownership of approximately 6,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines through Harvest Midstream further contribute to his financial portfolio.
Here’s the breakdown of Nicolas Puech’s net worth:
Name: | Nicolas Puech |
Net Worth: | $13.7 Billion |
Date of Birth: | 1959 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life and Education
Jeffery Hildebrand was born in 1959 in Houston, Texas. His father was a veterinarian who built a successful multi-practice enterprise, and his mother was a pilot who tragically passed away in a plane crash when Hildebrand was 15 years old. This early loss instilled in him a strong sense of perseverance and determination, which would later fuel his entrepreneurial ambitions.
From a young age, Hildebrand harbored a vision of owning and running his own oil and gas company, a dream that was nurtured by the work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit imparted by his parents.
Hildebrand pursued his higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology in 1981. Recognizing the need for further education to advance in the competitive oil and gas industry, he returned to his alma mater to complete a Master of Science degree in petroleum engineering in 1985.
During his time at the university, he was a member of Pi Epsilon Tau, the Petroleum Engineering Honor Society, which underscored his academic excellence and commitment to his field of study.
Career
Jeffery Hildebrand’s career in the oil and gas industry began with roles at several prominent companies, including Exxon, the Dan A. Hughes Company, and American Energy Capital Corporation. These early positions provided him with valuable industry experience and insights, which he would later leverage to establish his own company.
In 1989, with financial backing from mentor Jack Trotter, Hildebrand founded Hilcorp Energy Company, an independent oil and gas exploration and production firm based in Houston, Texas.
Hilcorp quickly grew under Hildebrand’s leadership, becoming one of the largest privately held oil and gas producers in the United States. The company’s success can be attributed to Hildebrand’s strategic acumen, particularly his ability to identify and revitalize underperforming assets. A notable milestone in Hilcorp’s history was the sale of its Eagle Ford Shale assets to Marathon Oil for $1.4 billion in 2011, which significantly boosted the company’s financial standing.
Hildebrand’s leadership style and commitment to his employees have also been key factors in Hilcorp’s success. The company has been recognized multiple times as one of the top workplaces in America by both regional and national publications. In December 2015, Hilcorp made headlines by awarding all 1,380 of its employees a $100,000 Christmas bonus, a testament to Hildebrand’s belief in sharing the company’s success with its workforce.
Beyond Hilcorp, Hildebrand has diversified his investments through entities like Harvest Midstream Company, which operates over 6,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines, and JDH Capital, a private investment firm.
His career achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Engineering Graduate Award from the University of Texas at Austin and the Leadership Award from the Houston Chronicle’s Top Workplaces.
Philanthropy
Jeffery Hildebrand is well-known for his philanthropic efforts, which span a variety of causes, particularly in education, the arts, and community development. One of his most significant contributions was a $25 million donation to the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. This generous gift led to the department being renamed in his honor, reflecting his deep commitment to advancing education in his field of expertise.
Hildebrand and his wife, Mindy, also established the Hildebrand Foundation in 2002, which focuses on supporting faith-based organizations that serve the poor and needy in Houston and throughout Texas. The foundation has funded numerous projects, including the Bayou Greenways 2020 project, Northwest Assistance Ministries, and the Monarch School.
In addition, Hildebrand has made substantial donations to the Houston Zoo and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, further demonstrating his dedication to enriching the cultural and social fabric of his community.
Political Contributions
Jeffery Hildebrand has been an active political donor, primarily supporting Republican candidates and causes. Over the years, he has contributed significant sums to various political campaigns and organizations.
Notably, he donated $50,000 to Rick Perry during the 2010 Texas gubernatorial election and, together with his wife, contributed $1.2 million to Donald Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign. His political contributions reflect his interest in shaping policies that align with his business and personal values.
In addition to these high-profile donations, Hildebrand has supported numerous other political figures and committees. For instance, he has given $1 million to the Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC, $250,000 to Texans for Greg Abbott, and $100,000 to Texans for Dan Patrick.
Personal Life
Jeffery Hildebrand is married to Mindy Hildebrand, and together they have three children. The family resides in Houston, Texas, where they are known for their involvement in various community and charitable activities.
Both Jeffery and Mindy are practicing Catholics, and their faith plays a significant role in their philanthropic endeavors, particularly through the Hildebrand Foundation, which supports faith-based initiatives.
Outside of his professional and philanthropic commitments, Hildebrand enjoys playing polo, a sport that reflects his competitive spirit and love for outdoor activities.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
