Poet Tied to Myanmar Buys Oil, Geothermal Leases in 12 States

A poet and cosmetics entrepreneur with ties to Myanmar and little experience in the energy industry has purchased more than $3 million in state and federal oil, gas, and geothermal leases in 12 states since June—moves that industry leaders say are unusual.

Just this week, Levi Sap Nei Thang of Los Angeles purchased 50 oil and gas leases in Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, and North Dakota, totaling $579,510, according to federal Bureau of Land Management sales results released Thursday.

Since July, Thang’s purchases also dominated federal and state oil and gas leases in New Mexico, ...