Three generations of exploration expertise have driven Tri-Star’s long and successful history.

The first of Tri-Star’s group of companies, West Texas Oil and Gas Corporation, was established in 1979 by founder, Dr James Butler III and his son, James Butler Jr, to explore and develop oil reserves in the Permian Basin, West Texas.  

Tri-Star Petroleum Company was formed in 1988 to explore gas and oil opportunities in Australia. Tri-Star established its Australian office in Brisbane, Queensland in 1990.

Four years later, Tri-Star’s exploration program in Queensland’s Bowen Basin discovered major natural gas reserves, beginning our long relationship with Australia.

Black and white photo of a Dr Jim Butler outdoors with a rocky landscape in the background.

Dr James Butler III (1970)

Our Values

Safety & Integrity

We are dedicated to ethical and legally compliant operations, with safety and integrity at the core of everything we do.
Excellence

We strive for excellence by fostering high performance teams that value, respect and engage all our staff.
Adaptability

We strive to make informed decisions quickly and adapt with effectiveness in an ever-changing environment.
Collaboration

We work together with all relevant stakeholders to maintain collaborative relationships and maximize beneficial outcomes for Tri-Star and the community.