Lighthouse Petroleum Inc. (OTC: LHPT) and Rampart du Monde Partners LLC formed a joint venture to acquire oil and natural gas properties with upside potential, Lighthouse said April 29.

The first acquisition, scheduled to close within the next three to six months, is worth about $9 million, the company said, noting that other acquisitions are planned.

"This is a new day and a great step forward for the company being able to partner up with a company whose founder has more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas business," said Gerard Danos, CEO of Lighthouse.

Based in Nevada, Rampart du Monde Partners acquires, develops and manages oil and natural gas properties on the Gulf Coast, the company said. Rampart’s principals are Rampart Development and Investment Partners LLC, co-founded by William A. Sawyer, and Mickey Christian, a co-founder of investment firm Caywood-Christian Capital Management, the company said.

New Orleans-based Lighthouse Petroleum Inc. is a Delaware corporation that acquires oil and natural gas properties.