New York-based investment bank BNP Paribas Corporate and Investment Banking has launched an acquisition and divestiture group specializing in the sale and acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets to its energy platform.

To run this new division, BNP has named David Marcell and Dane Isenhower managing directors for the A&D Group. Marcell and Isenhower were previously founders and managing directors of Houston-based energy boutique AIM Energy Advisors, which was formed in 2008.

Marcell and Isenhower each have more than 20 years experience in the energy industry. Prior to AIM, Marcell was a managing director with Tristone Capital (now Macquarie Tristone) and previously held senior positions with Friedman Billings Ramsey and CIBC World Markets.

Isenhower is a member of the Houston Energy Finance Group and is president of the Houston Producers' Forum and a member of the IPAA Texas Southeast Regional Board. Dane began his career with Chase and then held senior positions with Waterous & Co. and Tristone Capital. He also held various engineering capacities with Getty Oil Co.

BNP Paribas global head of investment banking energy & commodities Lincoln Payton says, “This group is a natural extension of our highly rated Oil & Gas platform and will allow us to better service our clients. We are very excited to have gained the experience and technical O&G expertise that this group brings to BNP Paribas.”