71st Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference

Overview

The 71st edition of the Institute for Energy Law’s Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference will take place in Houston on February 20-21, 2020. This outstanding program brings together legal leaders in the oil and gas industry for excellent educational programming and multiple social and networking opportunities with a diverse audience.

Conference Co-Chairs

John Rogers Award Recipient

Lynn Laverty Elsenhans
Former Chairman and CEO
Sunoco and Sunoco Logistics
Houston, TX

Lynn Elsenhans is the former Chairman and CEO of Sunoco and Sunoco Logistics. Before joining Sunoco she had a 28-year career with Royal Dutch Shell.  Her executive positions with Shell included Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing, President of Shell Oil Company, and President and CEO of Shell Oil Products of both the Asia Pacific Middle East and US regions.

Ms. Elsenhans is currently on the boards of Saudi Aramco, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Baker Hughes, a GE Company, and the Texas Medical Center. She chairs the corporate responsibility committee at GlaxoSmithKline and the audit committee of Baker Hughes.  Lynn also serves on the advisory board for the Baker Institute at Rice University and is a Trustee Emeritus of Rice.

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Schedule and Faculty

Thursday, February 20

8:25 am

Welcome and Overview

8:45 am

National Security Issues Affecting the Energy Sector

The energy industry plays a major role in U.S. national security. In this presentation, former Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief of Staff Zack Harmon will discuss important national security issues affecting the energy sector.

• Zachary J. Harmon, King & Spalding LLP, Washington, D.C.

9:30 am

Recent Developments in Oil and Gas Law

This session will feature a review of important cases and other developments in oil and gas law over the last year.

• Owen L. Anderson, Professor & Distinguished Oil & Gas Scholar, School of Law and Texas Executive Education Faculty, McCombs School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
• Monika U. Ehrman, Professor of Law, Faculty Director – Oil & Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Center, The University of Oklahoma College of Law, Norman, Oklahoma

10:30 am

Break

11:00 am

Ethics in the Oil Patch: Hot Button Issues in Oil & Gas Transactions and Litigation

This session surveys a variety of issues that impact the practice of both in-house and outside counsel in the oil and gas industry. Topics will include an overview of ethical rules governing lawyers, as well as discussion of specific cases and the lessons they teach. Particular emphasis will be placed on ethics in negotiations, attorney-client privilege issues, and recent appellate opinions that impact energy litigation.

• Geoff Gannaway, Beck Redden LLP, Houston, Texas

Noon

Networking Luncheon

Thursday Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

US Litigation & Dispute Resolution Module

• Anna G. Rotman, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Houston, Texas

1:30 pm

Rethinking the Battle of the Experts: Strategies to Avoid Expert Fatigue in Oil & Gas Litigation

This presentation will focus on the pros and cons of multiple experts in oil and gas litigation and strategies to determine whether you really need an expert witness.

Moderator: Kevin T. Jacobs, Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• David Baggett, Founder & Managing Partner, Opportune LLP, Houston, Texas
• Dan Jacks, Ph.D., EDGE Litigation Consulting LLC, Kingwood, Texas
• Tan Pham, Senior Counsel - Litigation, Total American Services, Inc., Houston, Texas

2:15 pm

Litigation Over “Informal” Oil and Gas Deals and Agreements

This session will explore the strategies for dealing with disputes that arise from informal oil and gas deals where either the relationship has not been “papered up“ or the papers no longer reflect the relationship.

• Megan S. Haines, McGuireWoods, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Yasser A. Madriz, McGuireWoods, Houston, Texas

3:00 pm

Break

3:15 pm

New Issues in Royalty Litigation

This presentation will discuss the latest issues in royalty litigation around the country. The discussion will include treatment of unleased owners in forced pooling units, allocation of costs of infrastructure and capacity reservation among working interest owners and to royalty owners. The session will also review underpayment cases where the lessee allegedly improperly deducted a proportionate share of transportation and fractionation fees from royalties despite an express “no deducts” wording in the lease.

• Daniel T. Donovan, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Washington, D.C.
• Guy Stanford Lipe, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Houston, Texas

4:00 pm

What to Do When the Other Side Goes Bust? Contingency Planning When Your Opponent Threatens Insolvency

In the face of the threat of insolvency from a player with whom you have a nascent dispute or an actual litigation, what can you do? In this session, experienced bankruptcy practitioners will talk through the impact of bankruptcy on existing or threatened litigation, the process if bankruptcy is filed, the valuation of claims in bankruptcy court, and determining the financial strength of the debtor.

Adjourn 1st Day

US Transactional Module

• Phyllis Y. Young, McGuireWoods, Houston, Texas

1:30 pm

Getting the Deal Done: A Discussion of Key Negotiation Points in Oil and Gas M&A

This presentation will focus on current trends and key negotiation points in upstream and midstream oil and gas deals.

Moderators:

• Jeffrey S. Muñoz, Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas
• Patrick M. Knapp, McGuireWoods, Dallas, Texas

Panelists:

• James Lebeck, Chief Legal Officer, Encino Energy, LLC, Houston, Texas
• Melinda Yee, Partner, Risk & Financial Advisory, Deloitte, Houston, Texas

2:15 pm

Bull or Bear? The State of Upstream Capital Markets and Finance and Trends in Restructuring Transactions

Oil and gas companies seem to be doing more with less, and CFOs are having to be increasingly creative in response. At the same time, commercial banks are limiting their exposure to oil and gas investments. This session will discuss how oil and gas companies are responding to the current trends in the capital markets and finance, and whether restructuring is an option.

• Nick S. Dhesi, Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas
• Kraig P. Grahmann, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Houston, Texas
• Demetra L. Liggins, Thompson & Knight LLP, Houston, Texas

3:00 pm

Break

3:15 pm

The State of Play for Representation and Warranty Insurance in Oil and Gas Deals

The use of transaction-focused insurance capital continues to be a prevalent tool to facilitate cleaner exits for sellers, while providing buyers with protection for post-closing losses related to liabilities associated with a transaction. The panel will discuss the latest market trends with respect to energy M&A, including key negotiation points for rep/warranty insurance, recent developments in the upstream sector and the steps companies should take to navigate the claims process.

Moderator: Phyllis Y. Young, McGuireWoods, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Karina Amelang, General Counsel, Solugen, Inc., Houston, Texas
• Jonathan Whalen, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Dallas, Texas
• Matthew Wiener, Senior Vice President, Aon, Houston, Texas

4:00 pm

Fueling the Future: What Transactional Attorneys Need to Know About Legal Trends and Issues Facing Oil and Gas Companies in the Current Climate

As the climate change discussion continues, and companies look for ways to reduce carbon emissions, is renewable natural gas the answer? This panel will discuss current legal trends facing upstream and midstream companies, the changing dynamics facing the oil and gas industry around environmental sustainability, and the reduction of carbon emissions. This session will also include a discussion of issues that transactional attorneys should focus on in anticipation of climate change issues.

Moderator: Daniella D. Landers, Reed Smith LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Jason M. Ryan, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, CenterPoint Energy, Houston, Texas
• Gregory V. Brown, General Counsel and Secretary, Evolution Well Services, The Woodlands, Texas

4:45 pm

Adjourn 1st Day

John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner

6:15 pm

Reception

7:15 pm

Dinner Honoring Lynn Laverty Elsenhans, Former Chairman and CEO Sunoco and Sunoco Logistics

• Petroleum Club of Houston
  1201 Louisiana St.
  Houston, Texas

Friday Morning Schedule and Faculty

Friday, February 21

8:00 am

A Look Inside the Energy Company Legal Department

This panel of senior industry lawyers will address the concerns of general counsel in operating legal departments in the energy industry and provide advice and guidance regarding new and reliable legal strategies, and the professional challenges they face.

Moderator: Nora T. Brooks, Associate General Counsel – Upstream Unconventionals, Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Michael P. Donaldson, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, EOG Resources, Inc., Houston, Texas
• Paul R. Owen, Vice President Legal, Equinor US, Houston, Texas
• Kelly B. Rose, Senior Vice President-Legal, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, ConocoPhillips Company, Houston, Texas
• Natara Williams, General Counsel, Trace Midstream, Houston, Texas

9:00 am

Break

Friday Morning Concurrent Sessions

License to Operate Module

• Daniel D. Droog, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Houston, Texas

9:20 am

Engaging Outside the Courtroom on Legal Issues Facing the Industry

Some of the significant legal issues today are being debated, discussed, and addressed outside the courtroom. This session will discuss the interaction between what is happening in the courtroom, in the media, in the investor space, and around the dinner table.

Moderator: Caitlin Sickles, Director, Government Affairs, Bracewell LLP, Washington, D.C.

Panelists:

• Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr., Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Los Angeles, California
• Christopher M. Matthews, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, Houston, Texas
• Michael J. Rubio, General Manager of ESG Engagement, Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California

10:50 am

Break

11:05 am

Working Together on Legal Challenges to Collectively Preserve the Rule of Law and Support the Industry

From collaborating on amicus briefs to supporting legal reform efforts, important legal opportunities exist for the energy industry to work with other industries to preserve the rule of law while supporting the industry. This session will review the most significant recent cases and legal reform efforts related to the energy industry.

Moderator: Elbert Lin, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Richmond, Virginia

Panelists:

• Page C. Faulk, Senior Vice President, Legal Reform Initiatives, U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, Washington, D.C.
• David E. Slovensky, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Southern Company Gas, Atlanta, Georgia
• Peter Tolsdorf, Vice President of Litigation and Deputy General Counsel, National Association of Manufacturers, Washington, D.C.

Regulatory/Compliance

• Jana L. Grauberger, Liskow & Lewis, Houston, Texas

9:20 am

Trump Administration Trade Policy and Impact on the Energy Industry

Expanding economic sanctions, re-negotiated trade deals, stepped-up enforcement of U.S. trade laws, tariffs, and beyond, this panel will discuss the Trump Administration’s trade and economic sanctions and their impact on the U.S. energy industry.

• David J. Bertoch, Executive Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas
• Terra M. Cothran, Senior Counsel, Bechtel Oil, Gas and Chemicals, Houston, Texas
• Greta Lichtenbaum, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Washington, D.C.

10:05 am

Increased Scrutiny on Foreign Investments in U.S. Energy; the New CFIUS Rules

This presentation will address the proposed new CFIUS regulations, recently released and set to become effective no later than February 2020, with expansive definitions of “critical” technology, real estate, and infrastructure that will subject a broad array of energy deals to CFIUS scrutiny. The proposed new regulations and the practical aspects of conducting ongoing operations and negotiating transactions impacted by CFIUS will be discussed.

• Christine E. Savage, King & Spalding LLP, Washington, D.C.
• Jennifer Brand Stockel, Lead Legal Counsel, Equinor US, Houston, Texas

10:50 am

Break

International/LNG Module

• Vera De Brito de Gyarfas, Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas

11:05 am

Recent E&P Developments in Brazil, and Mexico - Can They Compete with U.S. Shale?

This session will focus on recent developments and legal issues affecting E&P projects in Brazil and Mexico, and whether the countries can promote development of new international E&P projects given the strong competition and short-term profitability of U.S. shale projects.

Moderator: Vera De Brito de Gyarfas, Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Giovani Loss, Mattos Filho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Diana Pineda, Gonzalez Calvillo, S.C., Mexico City, Mexico

11:50 am

U.S. LNG Projects and the Creation of Demand in New Markets

This session will consider how U.S. LNG export projects are investing/developing new markets to create demand for U.S. LNG

Moderator: Vera De Brito de Gyarfas, Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Yuliya D. Marcer, Senior Counsel, BP p.l.c., Houston, Texas
• Nate Thomas, Counsel, Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., Houston, Texas

Friday Afternoon Schedule and Faculty

12:35 pm

Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecture and Luncheon

• Mark D. Christiansen, Edinger Leonard & Blakley, PLLC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

2:05 pm

A Bipartisan Conversation About Attorney General Activity Focused on the Energy Industry

Numerous state Attorneys General seek to either fill the void left by the Trump administration or to increase their role in putting pressure on the industry through legal actions. We will explore these legal issues in a bipartisan conversation lead by an industry general counsel with two former attorney generals.

Moderator: R. Hewitt Pate, Vice President and General Counsel, Chevron Corporation, San Ramon, California

Panelists:

• Robert M. McKenna, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Former Washington State Attorney General and Former President of the National Association of Attorneys General, Seattle, Washington
• Ken Salazar, WilmerHale, Former US Secretary of the Interior, Former United States Senator from Colorado, and Former Colorado Attorney General, Denver, Colorado

3:05 pm

Ethical Minefields for In-House Counsel: Privilege, Conflicts and Internal Investigations

This session explores the rules in-house counsel must follow to avoid conflicts of interest and protect the attorney-client privilege when they are called upon to conduct or oversee an internal investigation. The combination of competing legal rules and a fast-moving and high profile investigation can increase the pressure on in-house lawyers to navigate the traps safely both for themselves and their companies. We will study the case of Penn State University and the actions of its General Counsel during the investigation of a highly publicized scandal in its athletic department to draw out the lessons in-house lawyers must learn – or risk becoming the next ethics CLE case study!

• Alison R. Bost, Deputy General Counsel, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Elizabeth L. Riley, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, Houston, Texas

4:05 pm

Adjourn

CLE Credit

For this conference, IEL will directly apply (if requested) for course accreditation in the following states: California, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and Virginia. Some of these states may not approve a program for credit hours before the program occurs. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through reciprocity or attorney self-submission in other states. IEL conferences are typically accredited by all mandatory CLE states.

The program is approved by the State Bar of Texas for 11.75 hours, including 2 hours of ethics. Course ID Number: 174071338. Approved credit hours will vary by jurisdiction and are subject to each jurisdiction’s approval and credit rounding rules.

AAPL credit will be available.

Hotel Information

The cost of housing is not included in tuition. However, rooms (in limited number) have been reserved at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria, 5150 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77056. Registrants should call 1.713.961.1500 and advise them they are attending the "IEL – Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference" to receive a reduced room rate of $209 ++ per night. The last day to obtain this special rate is January 29, 2020. Room block available from February 18–21, 2020.

BOOK HOTEL ONLINE

Sponsorship Opportunities

John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner - $7,000 each (Limited to 12) - SOLD
February 20, 2020

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the reception and dinner.
• 4 complimentary registrants at the Conference.
• Up to 6 guests at the reception and dinner.
• One reserved table at the dinner, if desired.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference.

Canvas Bag Sponsor - $8,000 each (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Name/Logo, along with IEL’s logo, on backpack distributed to all attendees containing conference binder and information
• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• 3 complimentary registrants at the conference, including the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference.

Advisory Board Dinner Sponsor - $5,000 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD
February 19, 2020

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Recognition at the reception & dinner
• 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference.
• Up to 3 guests at the Advisory Board Dinner
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Lanyard Sponsor - $5,000 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Sponsor name contained on conference lanyard.
• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• 2 complimentary registrants at the conference, including the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Charging Station Sponsor - $5,000 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Sponsor name/logo displayed at charging station.
• Prominent recognition on the Conference Background Slide.
• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• 2 complimentary registrants at the conference, including the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Conference Materials Sponsor - $4,500 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Single page company/firm advertisement showing through back of packet containing conference related material
• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Recognition on the conference website and via social media.
• 2 complimentary registrants at the conference, including the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference.

1st Day Morning Break Sponsor - $4,000 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the break, including from podium
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference

1st Day Afternoon Break Sponsor - $4,000 (Only 1 Allowed) - SOLD

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the break, including from podium
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference

2nd Day Morning Break Sponsor - $4,000 (Only 1 Allowed)

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the break, including from podium
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference

Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecture Luncheon - $3,500 each
February 21, 2020

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the luncheon.
• 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference.

Networking Luncheon - $3,000 each
February 20, 2020

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through email and Internet announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website.
• Recognition at the luncheon.
• 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the Conference.

Exhibitor - $2,000 each
February 20-21, 2020

• Space to display company/firm materials at the conference.
• Name/logo on Conference website with link to company page.

Other Information

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