Energy & Natural Resources

Representation of an independent oil and gas exploration company in the identification of “held by production” acreage it owns as prospective for natural gas development in the deep rights, “Haynesville Shale” resource play in Northwest Louisiana, preparation and issuance of requests for proposal (“RFP”) to Haynesville Shale developers for the joint development of such acreage, preparation with the client in the review and evaluation of the responses received to the RFP, and the successful negotiation of agreements with the developers for the development of the Haynesville Shale natural gas resource underlying such acreage.

 

Representation of an independent oil and gas exploration company in its successful application to the Louisiana Office of Conservation (“LOC”) to change the previously approved “unit operator” of a 640 acre “Haynesville Shale” natural gas drilling and production unit situated in Northwest Louisiana (the “Unit”).

 

Lieber v. Rust, relating to the establishment of predial servitudes.

 

Obtained a reversal of the lower court by the Arkansas Supreme Court in Blanchard v. Sonat establishing industry favorable law in Arkansas relating to seismic exploration and trespass.

 

Defending an independent oil and gas producer in litigation claiming that an oil and gas lease covering hundreds of acres had expired for failure to produce natural gas in paying quantities.

 

Defending an independent oil and gas company in a lawsuit claiming that natural gas from certain wells was not properly routed to a particular pipeline system as contracted.

 

Pursuing claims regarding unpaid invoices for oil and gas services companies in connection with services rendered and to defend claims of negligence in performing contracted services.

 

Representation of an independent oil and gas exploration company in its successful negotiation with a publicly traded oil and gas exploration company of (1) a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the sale of an undivided fifty percent (50%) interest in certain oil and gas properties and associated rights in its Eagle Ford Oil Shale Prospect underlying 20,000+/- acres of lands situated in two adjoining counties in Texas, and (2) Joint Development and Joint Operating Agreements by which the Seller and Buyer jointly own, explore, develop and operate these Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas properties.

 

Representation of an independent oil and gas exploration company in its successful acquisition from a publicly traded oil and gas exploration company of a 72% net revenue interest in 2,640+/- acres of oil and gas leases that are “held by production” and cover seven sections of land in the East Holly Field of DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.

 

Motion for Reconsideration granted by district court and upheld by United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Alyce Gaines Johnson v. El Paso, confirming granting clause in standard Bath Form as broad and unambiguous.

 

Defending an independent oil and gas company and certain related individuals against contrary claims of property and mineral ownership in United States District Court as raised by the United States of America and mineral lessees thereof. The dispute involved conflicting interpretations as to the factual and legal status of certain lands currently covered by a freshwater lake.

 

Advised and assisted an independent midstream and gas gathering company with respect to property, legal, and right of way issues.

 

Defending agricultural corporations with respect to the attempted expropriation of rights of way across farm property.

 

Defending a publicly traded oil and gas company and its joint venture partner in a putative class action lawsuit whereby individuals claim to have been damaged and adversely affected by circumstances related to drilling activities, including allegations of water, soil, and air contamination affecting more than 100 individuals and nearby property.

 

Defending a publicly traded oil and gas company against individuals claiming ownership of mineral rights based on failure of title and violation of due process rights in connection with prior tax sale.

 

Small Engine Shop, Inc. v. Cascio, a seminal case cited for establishing the due process standard in Louisiana following the Mennonite case and holding that the Louisiana statute providing the owner of a property interest to file a request for notice of seizure did not shift the entire burden for notice to the property owner.

 

Alice Gaines Johnson Trust v. El Paso E&P, L.P. This case was brought by the plaintiff for past due royalties and claim for damages of double the amount of royalties due and lease cancellation under the Louisiana Mineral Code. The case was tried in U. S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, resulting in a jury verdict in favor of client, awarding no damages or lease cancellation.

 

Represented multiple petro-chemical companies in site location and acquisition, economic development incentive negotiations, permitting, company start-up, and contract negotiations for world class facilities.

 

Represented large scale terminaling project in site location and company start-up.

 

Represented commercial clients before the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in response to significant enforcement actions including matters relating to air, water, solid waste, and hazardous waste.

 

Represented oil and gas industry clients before various local governmental entities in the negotiation of acceptable ordinances and regulations including pipeline right-of-way and construction permit agreements, noise ordinances, and road repair ordinances.

 

Successfully represented a large natural gas producer in negotiations with the State of Louisiana after a State audit challenging deduction of gathering fees from state royalties under the terms of certain state leases.

 

Performed all of the legal services required by the Operator of the Dolet Hill Lignite Mine. The Dolet Hills Mine is Louisiana’s first commercial lignite surface mine, encompassing over 30,000 acres in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. The Mine serves as the “base load” fuel supply for the Dolet Hills Power Plant, a 640 megawatt lignite fired generating unit also located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.

 

Represented an independent producer in successfully defeating a claim for free gas under a claim by a lessor under a Texas natural gas lease.

 

Successfully defended a large gas gathering company against a landowner challenge in establishing a right of way based on lease and production records.

 

Representation of an integrated energy company in connection with its development of a high-voltage direct current transmission system across Louisiana to tie electric distribution utility systems situated in the Southeastern United States to the wind power generation facilities within the boundaries of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.