Energy Law

65th Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference

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Houston, Texas, USA

Past Event

11.25 Hours of MCLE Credit

Westin Galleria
5060 W Alabama St.
Houston, TX 77056

Online registration is closed.  Please bring your completed registration form to the door. 

Registrar: +1.972.244.3405
IEL: +1.972.244.3424
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: iel@cailaw.org

Overview

First presented in 1949, the Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference is America’s, and possibly the world’s, oldest continuously presented CLE program. Attracting over 500 participants in Houston each February, the conference is free to Advisory Board members.

APPLY FOR IEL MEMBERSHIP ONLINE

For the first time this year, IEL has combined with the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) to present the ITA-IEL Winter Forum on International Energy Arbitration which will begin on February 20 shortly after the Oil and Gas Conference ends and run through February 21.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Highlights

  • Litigation: upstream, downstream, compliance
  • Mexican reforms
  • Conventional vs. unconventional – risks, contracts
  • Private equity financing
  • Evolving environmental and safety regulations

John Rogers Award

Honoring

Charles D. Davidson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Noble Energy, Inc.
Houston, Texas 

Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecture Luncheon

Elizabeth N. Miller
Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P.
Austin, Texas

Conference Co-Chairs

Steven P. Otillar
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Houston, Texas

Curtis R. Frasier
Houston, Texas

Tuition

Advisory Board members should register using the special link sent to them by email.

If you plan to attend both the Annual Oil & Gas Conference (February 19-20) and the ITA-IEL Winter Forum on International Energy Arbitration (February 20-21), you can register for both conferences together using this form and save up to $200 in registration fees.

Registration includes the Conference(s), course materials on USB and online, the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner, and conference luncheons.

Tuition for only the Oil & Gas Law Conference

  • $745 / $795 - Regular registration fee
  • $0 / $0 - IEL Advisory Board Member
  • $535 / $575 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee
  • $535 / $575 - CAIL Member or Member Employee
  • $535 / $575 - Government Employee
  • $225 - Materials Only

Tuition for the Oil & Gas Law Conference and ITA-IEL International Energy Arbitration Forum

  • $1040 / $1100 - Regular registration fee
  • $395 / $445 - IEL Advisory Board Member
  • $850 / $900 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee
  • $850 / $900 - CAIL Member or Member Employee
  • $850 / $900 - Government Employee

Schedule and Faculty

Wednesday, February 19

Wednesday Morning Plenary Sessions

8:45 am


Welcome and Overview

9:00 am


Keynote Speaker

Congressman Tom Reed, US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

10:00 am


Recent Developments in Oil and Gas Law

Professor Kulander will review important cases and other developments in oil and gas law over the last year.

Chris Kulander, Associate Professor of Law, Texas Tech School of Law, Lubbock, Texas

11:00 am


Break

11:20 am


Lawyers, Guns and Money: The Search for Ethical Inspiration in Rock and Roll

Rock and roll music has survived, if not thrived, for generations. Behind its enduring appeal is an assortment of performance and musical styles that have struck the right chord with the right audience at the right time. The commercial and cultural success is undeniable, but when you peer deeply into the lyrics, are there any ethical or moral messages to be found?

Arnold J. Johnson, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Noble Energy, Inc., Houston, Texas

12:15 pm


Networking Luncheon

Wednesday Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

U.S. LITIGATION MODULE

Jack Balagia, Module Chair, Vice President and General Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Irving, Texas

1:30 pm


Hot Topics in Downstream Litigation

Our panel will discuss important issues in downstream litigation, including MTBE cases, ethanol cases, and the Natural Resource Damages Act.

Moderator

Clyde W. Lea, Deputy General Counsel, Litigation & Arbitration, ConocoPhillips Company, Houston, Texas

Panelists
  • Ira M. Gottlieb, McCarter & English, LLP, Newark, New Jersey
  • David J. Lender, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York, New York
  • James A. Pardo, McDermott Will & Emery LLP, New York, New York

2:15 pm


Litigation Trends on the Enforcement Landscape Impacting the Oil and Gas Industry

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Dodd-Frank, export controls and anti-trust legislation continue to feature prominently for the industry. This panel will examine trends in litigation in the enforcement arena.

Moderator

Philip S. Khinda, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, Washington, D.C.

Panelists
  • Randall M. Ebner, Assistant General Counsel – Compliance and Corporate, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Irving, Texas
  • Jon Leibowitz, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • David Woodcock, Director of Fort Worth Regional Office, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Fort Worth, Texas

3:00 pm


Break

3:20 pm


Hot Topics in Upstream Litigation

This panel will review current important issues in litigation affecting upstream companies, including legacy litigation, royalties, indemnities and more.

Moderator

Taylor F. Snelling, Coordinator, Upstream Environmental Litigation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Houston, Texas

Panelists
  • Ronald G. Franklin, McGuire Woods LLP, Houston, Texas
  • Shannon H. Ratliff, Ratliff Law Firm, PLLC, Austin, Texas
  • Keith Jarrett, President and Managing Partner, Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, Louisiana

4:05 pm


General Counsel Perspectives on Litigation

Top industry general counsel will share their views on litigation affecting the industry and how it is conducted.

Moderator

Jack Balagia, Vice President and General Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Irving, Texas

Panelists
  • Dennis Cameron, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, WPX Energy, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Paula Johnson, Executive Vice President, Legal, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Phillips 66, Houston, Texas
  • R. Hewitt Pate, Vice President and General Counsel, Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California

OILFIELD SERVICES MODULE

Will Marsh, Module Chair, Vice President and General Counsel, Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, Texas

1:30 pm


Hydraulic Fracturing

A review and discussion on hydraulic fracturing and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing.

  • Kevin A. Ewing, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • D. Nathan Meehan, Senior Executive Advisor (Reservoir and Geosciences), Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, Texas

2:15 pm


Integrated Operations, EPCI Projects, and Field Development

A discussion of the opportunities, challenges, and risks the industry faces as service companies continue to expand their capabilities into areas that were once the exclusive domain of multinational operators.

Moderator

Natalie L. Regoli, Baker & McKenzie LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists
  • Carolyn Benton Aiman, Managing Counsel, Projects & Technology - Americas, Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas
  • Michael Csizmadia, Legal and Compliance Counsel, Director of Insurance and Risk, Technip USA, Inc.
  • James McHugh, Senior Counsel, Noble Drilling Services, Sugarland, Texas

3:00 pm


Break

INTERNATIONAL MODULE

Todd Mullen, Module Chair, Vice President - General Counsel, PanAtlantic Exploration Company, Houston, Texas

3:20 pm


Reforms in Mexico

An update on the progress of reform in the Mexican oil and gas sector.

Dr. Guillermo Dominguez-Vargas, Commissioner, National Hydrocarbon Commission, Mexico City, Mexico

4:05 pm – 4:50 pm


Considerations When Entering a Country

The main issues an E&P company should consider when entering a country after capture of a new international exploration project, including a checklist of issues and do’s and don’ts to consider when entering a country.

Timothy R. Brown, Trade Compliance Manager, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Houston, Texas

4:50 pm


Adjourn

6:00 pm


The John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner
at The Petroleum Club of Houston
(800 Bell Street, Houston, Texas)

Honoring
Charles D. Davidson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Noble Energy, Inc., Houston, Texas

Thursday, February 20

Thursday Morning Concurrent Sessions

U.S. TRANSACTIONAL MODULE

David Sweeney, Module Chair, Lukoil, Houston, Texas

8:30 am


Fracturing Relationships – The Impact of Risk and Risk Allocation on Unconventional Oil & Gas Projects

Unconventionals are different. Time-tested methods of conceptualizing projects, project development, and accompanying risk (and risk allocation) that have served the exploration and production business so well for so long do not appropriately allocate risk in an unconventional project. But analogizing shale development to a “manufacturing” process is overly simplistic. Our panel will take a fresh look at the costs and benefits of unconventional resource development and the conflicts that can arise between parties in an effort to explore new, and old, methods of allocating risk contractually, whether through acquisition, farmout, joint operating agreement, joint venture, or otherwise.

  • Preston Cody, Senior Managing Consultant – Upstream Energy, Wood Mackenzie, Houston, Texas
  • Michael P. Darden, Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas
  • Susan Lindberg, General Counsel, Eni US Operating Co. Inc., Houston, Texas

9:45 am


Break

10:00 am


Preferential Rights to Purchase: The Basics, and the Most Interesting Pref Rights Case You’ve Never Heard About

The presentation will begin with a discussion of the fundamentals of preferential rights to purchase found in many oil and gas agreements, an issue with which many lawyers have to grapple on a regular basis. Our speaker will go on to illustrate the practical operation of preferential rights by means of a case study drawn from the real life experience of a transaction involving several hundred million dollars worth of Permian Basin properties, numerous pref right twists and turns, two TRO hearings, and a summary judgment application in a courtroom in a sleepy New Mexico town unaccustomed to such drama and excitement.

Robert J. Sergesketter, Assistant General Counsel, Fieldwood Energy LLC, Houston, Texas

FINANCE MODULE

Shaun Finnie, Module Chair, Senior Managing Director, Evercore Partners, Houston, Texas

8:30 am


Different Forms of Private Equity Financing for Oil and Gas

Our panel will review current trends in private equity in the oil and gas industry as well as looking in depth at traditional venture equity financing, private equity financing of working interest investments, key factors determining fundraising success or failure, and divorce and pre-nup arrangements in the funds area.

  • Brad Thielemann, Managing Director, EnCap Investments L.P., Houston, Texas
  • Mark A. Clemans, Carrier Energy/Riverstone, Houston, Texas
  • Blayne A. Grady, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Washington, D.C.

9:45 am


Break

REGULATORY MODULE

Tom W. Ryan, Module Chair, Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Total E&P USA, Inc., Houston, Texas

10:00 am


The Expanding Role of the United States Supreme Court Regarding Energy and Environmental Disputes

The United States Supreme Court has become increasingly involved in energy and environmental issues. This year alone, the Court has agreed to review cases involving critical issues of environmental federalism and the standards and process by which EPA is empowered to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Other important issues are also before the Court waiting for a decision regarding whether review will be granted, including the power of the EPA to retroactively revoke permits previously approved by other agencies. Finally, important issues are rising from the federal and state appellate courts, including whether the federal Clean Air Act preempts attempts to regulate emission levels under state tort law. High Court decisions on these issues will have major effects on oil and gas exploration and production, refining and marketing, and the design, construction and operations of new facilities and the electrical power plants upon which many of those operations depend. This panel will provide insight regarding the manner in which the Supreme Court will address these critical issues. The panel will also discuss the potential resolutions of these disputes, as well as the impact of those on the energy industry.

  • Henry N. Butler, Professor of Law and Executive Director of the Law & Economics Center, George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia
  • Richard O. Faulk, Hollingsworth LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • Roger R. Martella, Jr., Sidley Austin LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • Kirsten L. Nathanson, Crowell & Moring, Washington, D.C.

10:45 am


What Happened To Fair Notice? Federal Oil and Gas Lessees, Due Process, and Retroactive Changes To The Rules Of The Game

Across the board, federal oil and gas lessees are finding themselves subject to retroactive changes by the Department of the Interior to critical agency policies and regulatory interpretations. While the specific issues are diverse (lease maintenance, calculation of royalties, decommissioning of wells, etc.), the agency’s approach is consistent: in a series of recent administrative decisions, DOI has found that it is free to break from years of established agency practices and apply new standards retroactively. This presentation will examine these recent developments in the light of fundamental administrative and constitutional law principles that govern federal agency action.

  • Sarah Y. Dicharry, Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Jonathan A. Hunter, Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, Louisiana

ENVIRONMENTAL MODULE

Richard DeSanti, Module Chair, Chief Environmental & Safety Counsel, Chevron, San Ramon, California

10:45 am


How is Environmental & Safety Regulation of the Oil & Gas Industry Evolving?

The regulation of environmental and safety issues in the oil and gas sector has changed significantly in the past five years and continues to evolve. Differences can be seen in global issues such as greenhouse gas controls and carbon markets, in the regulation of hydraulic fracturing in various parts of the world, in permitting and approval issues for energy projects, in new EPA and other federal rules in the US, and in a renewed focus on process safety issues and requirements. This panel will discuss trends and developments important to the energy industry in this vital area of regulation.

Moderator

Richard DeSanti, Chief Environmental & Safety Counsel, Chevron, San Ramon, California

Panelists
  • Mark L. Farley, Katten, Muchin, Rosenman LLP, Houston, Texas
  • David P. Hackett, Baker & McKenzie, LLP, Chicago, Illinois
  • Chuck Knauss, Katten, Muchin, Rosenman LLP, Washington, D.C.
  • Emilie Mazzacurati, Founder and Managing Director, Four Twenty Seven, Berkley, California
  • Bartholomew T. Mongoven, President and CEO, Keyframe Policy Consultants, Washington, D.C.

IEL Forum

10:45 am


An unscripted opportunity to discuss current issues in energy practice.
Moderators
  • Wendy Daboval, General Counsel & Vice President Land, Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company, Houston, Texas
  • Henry Sullivan, Senior Counsel, ConocoPhillips, Houston, Texas

12:00 pm


Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecture Luncheon

Elizabeth N. (Becky) Miller, Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P., Austin, Texas

Thursday Afternoon Plenary Sessions

1:30 pm


Frac Monitoring in Shale Development Past, Present and Future

Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have fathered a rebirth in the North American oil and gas business. Developments in monitoring well completions have given new insight into what is actually happening at the reservoir, leading to more efficient exploitation of the resource. This talk will focus on the technology of frac monitoring, present, past and future, and what it means to the industry.

Peter Duncan, President & CEO, MicroSeismic, Inc., Houston, Texas

2:30 pm


Legal Ethics: Missteps and Slip ups

Using real examples, and with the benefit of hindsight, Professor Smith will demonstrate how attorneys can in the heat of the moment misjudge an ethical question, or perhaps not even realize that an ethical question exists.

Professor N. Gregory Smith, Louisiana State University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

3:30 pm


Adjourn / Break before Winter Forum

International Energy Aribtration, an ITA-IEL Joint Winter Forum Schedule 

CLE Credits

MCLE Credit

This program is approved by the State Bar of Texas for 11.25 hours, including 2 hours of ethics. Course ID Number: 901282709. Sign-in sheets and/or certificates of attendance will be available for ALL states.

Specialization Credit

This program is approved by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for 11.25 hours in the following area: Oil, Gas and Mineral Law

 

Sponsorship Opportunities

65th Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference

John Rogers Award Dinner (February 19) - $6,000 each

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
  • Up to 8 complimentary guests at the dinner
  • 1 reserved table at the dinner, if desired
  • Space permitting, a seat at the dinner head table

Deans of Oil & Gas Luncheon (February 20) - $3,000 each

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference
  • Up to 2 complimentary guests at the luncheon
  • Space permitting, a seat at the luncheon head table

Networking Luncheon (February 19) - $3,000 each

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference
  • Up to 2 complimentary guests at the luncheon

Networking Reception (February 20) - $2,000 each

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference

Canvas Bag - $2,500 each (maximum of 3)

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference
  • Name/Logo on one side of canvas bag

International Energy Arbitration: An ITA-IEL Joint Winter Forum

Winter Forum Reception and Dinner (February 21) - $3,000
at The Petroleum Club of Houston

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Forum Reception and Dinner in the brochure, in e-marketing, online and at the conference
  • 2 free Winter Forum registrations (all events)
  • 2 complimentary guests at the Reception and Dinner
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Post-Forum recognition on the ITA’s website and in its newsletter, News and Notes

Winter Forum Luncheon (February 21) - $2,500

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Forum Luncheon in the brochure, in e-marketing, online and at the conference
  • 2 free Winter Forum registrations (all events)
  • 2 complimentary guests at the Luncheon
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Post-Forum recognition on the ITA’s website and in its newsletter, News and Notes

Welcome Reception (February 20) - $2,000

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Welcome Reception in the brochure, in e-marketing, online and at the conference
  • 1 free Winter Forum registration (all events)
  • 2 complimentary guests at the Reception
  • Space for promotional materials
  • Post-Forum recognition on the ITA’s website and in its newsletter, News and Notes

Winter Roundtable – The Debates (February 20) - $1,000
Presented by ITA Young Arbitrators Initiative and IEL Young Energy Professionals

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Roundtable in the brochure, in e-marketing, online and at the Roundtable
  • 1 free Winter Forum registration (all events)
  • Space for promotional materials at the Roundtable
  • Post-Forum recognition on the ITA’s website and in its newsletter, News and Notes

Exhibitor (February 20-21) - $1,500

  • Exposure to both ITA and IEL constituents
  • Space for promotional materials at the conference
  • Name/logo on Forum website with link to company page
  • Post-Forum recognition on the ITA’s website and in its newsletter, News and Notes

Hotel Information

The cost of housing is not included in tuition. However, rooms (in limited number) have been reserved at The Westin Galleria Hotel, 5060 W Alabama St., Houston, TX 77056. Registrants should call 1.713.960.8100 and advise them they are attending the "CAIL 2014 Annual Oil & Gas Law" to receive a reduced room rate of $195 + tax. The last day to obtain this special rate is January 27, 2014.

BOOK HOTEL ONLINE

Other Information

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All IEL conferences are held under the Chatham House Rule. Participants, including journalists, are free to use any information received, but comments may not be attributed to any speaker identifi ed by name or affiliation.

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

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We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from the Institute for Energy Law (IEL) of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.

Sponsor an Event

John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner Sponsors

Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecture Luncheon Sponsor

Networking Luncheon Sponsors

Exhibitors