Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional)
Global Guide 2024 : USA
Band 2
Contact number
+1 713 221 2300About
Provided by Bracewell LLP
Bracewell is consistently found at the forefront of the energy value chain. We have been instrumental in helping our clients build new infrastructure to transport natural gas, protect the intellectual property needed to discover and refine oil, or create new financial structures for renewables.
- Investment in Power and Renewables: We strategically invested in our power practice. We added nine lateral partners to our global energy team within the last 12 months, including four lawyers with significant experience in the renewable energy sector.
- Distress Energy Market: We are representing various parties in bankruptcy proceedings involving energy companies, including Kinder Morgan, Enbridge, TC Energy, Natixis and Wells Fargo.
- Energy Litigation: We successfully represented Apache Corporation against Apollo Exploration LLC in one of the most significant oil and gas cases in the last several years and also represented Apache in industry-leading arbitration regarding royalty ownership, pollution, class actions, oil and gas co-tenancies and lease terminations. In addition, we are defending Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline LLC, Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Permian Highway Pipeline LLC in multiple federal lawsuits.
- Energy Regulatory: In Q4 2019 and H1 2020, we guided Phillips 66 Partners through the regulatory process of commencing service on the Gray Oak Pipeline. The pipeline went into service in April 2020.
We Know Energy®.
Chambers Review
Bracewell LLP is a leading firm with highly impressive expertise across the energy arena, particularly esteemed for its ability within the oil and gas regulatory space.Offers excellent capability in FERC and CFTC investigations, as well as representation of pipeline clients in FERC rate, tariff and jurisdictional matters. Also able to assist large utility clients, transmission owners and private equity investors on regulatory power matters, along with electric cooperatives and municipal utilities. Frequently seen on big-ticket transactions in both the power and the oil and gas space, handling matters for clients ranging from electric utilities and merchant transmission owners to upstream exploration companies and refineries.
Work Highlights
- Bracewell LLP represented Trailblazer Pipeline and Rockies Express Pipeline in an application at FERC seeking approval of a project to convert a large portion of Trailblazer's system from natural gas service to carbon dioxide service, which involves the construction of new pipelines.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bracewell attorneys have a deep understanding of the various parts of their client's business and are able to provide an integrated approach to their counsel and advice."
"Bracewell offers high quality of work combined with great customer service and communication. The team are very knowledgeable of all oil and gas regulations as well as current market and FERC conditions."
"The team is highly capable of identifying and resolving complicated problems and issues that arise in deals."
"The firm has strong experience and expertise to effectively counsel clients through issues, with an understanding of business objectives."
"Bracewell has tremendous subject matter expertise in the energy industry."
"Bracewell attorneys have a deep understanding of the various parts of their client's business and are able to provide an integrated approach to their counsel and advice."
"Bracewell offers high quality of work combined with great customer service and communication. The team are very knowledgeable of all oil and gas regulations as well as current market and FERC conditions."
"The team is highly capable of identifying and resolving complicated problems and issues that arise in deals."
"The firm has strong experience and expertise to effectively counsel clients through issues, with an understanding of business objectives."
"Bracewell has tremendous subject matter expertise in the energy industry."
Notable Practitioners
Catherine Hood is a leading practitioner in energy and utility sector finance and frequently advises underwriters, issuers and investors on complex debt and equity transactions.
"Catherine is a top-notch industry expert. She is up to date on all existing and new issues in the industry."
"She is very detail-oriented and a great problem solver."
Catherine McCarthy is notable for her expertise in project and transaction approvals as well as rate, tariff and sale matters before FERC. She also provides day-to-day regulatory and commercial advice for key clients.
"Catherine is an excellent lawyer."
"She understands her clients' risk profile and proactively helps manage and mitigate that risk."
Eugene Elrod possesses significant expertise in advising pipeline owners and developers in a broad array of FERC matters and regulatory issues, including rate-setting disputes, project permitting and transaction approval.
"He is always focused on delivering what the client needs and produces impeccable legal work."
"He is a very dedicated advocate for his clients."
"He has encyclopedic knowledge on pipeline cases."
Alan Rafte has significant expertise spanning gas and liquids pipeline transactions, with a particular focus on the upstream and midstream sectors. He has further capabilities advising on DrillCo financing.
"He is very knowledgeable and provides an exceptional service."
Anthony Terrell provides issuers, underwriters and purchasers with expertise across debt, equity and hybrid securities as well as M&A and corporate restructurings.
"Anthony is very knowledgeable and thorough in his work."
"He is extremely experienced in this space and he is very efficient."
Mark Lewis specializes in advising companies and joint ventures in the midstream space on a broad range of regulatory matters, particularly pipeline project approvals and related operational issues.
"Mark is a great lawyer. He is very knowledgeable of the energy industry as a whole, as well as the regulatory laws and current FERC landscape."
Todd Eckland expertly handles the full spectrum of financial offerings on behalf of agents, purchasers and underwriters.
"Todd has great knowledge and is very detail-oriented."
"He knows the electric utility industry well."
Kirk Morgan frequently serves as federal regulatory counsel to oil and gas projects, advising on a range of related agreements and FERC proceedings.
"Kirk is an excellent business lawyer and is particularly strong in the area of natural gas pipeline regulation."
"He is able to provide both technical and practical advice."
"He is a talented expert in his field."
Ryan Holcomb has notable expertise in negotiating power purchase agreements, sales and acquisitions involving both traditional and renewable power assets.
"Ryan is very thorough and smart - he really knows the market."
James McAnelly offers a wealth of expertise in the upstream space spanning acquisitions and investments involving exploration, production and storage properties. He is also active in bankruptcy proceedings.
"He is very commercially driven and works around issues to get the best results for everyone."
Deanna King is frequently called on by major power sector companies to provide regulatory compliance and commercial advice as well as assist with proceedings before FERC and the CFTC.
"Deanna is a brilliant attorney and an excellent writer."
Austin Lee is recognized for his representation of oil and gas exploration companies and private equity clients on a range of deals. He has a particular focus on joint venture agreements and asset exchange transactions.
"Austin understands the issues and how to prioritize them. He works extremely diligently and is detail-oriented."
Jason Jean has a notable practice representing energy clients in high-value transactions, including the sale of midstream assets and joint venture agreements.
"Jason is very practical and efficient."
Molly Butkus acts on behalf of natural gas clients on a range of transactions, including the sale and divestiture of assets. She has particular experience in the water-gathering and disposal area.
George Fatula frequently acts as regulatory counsel in the context of pipeline construction. He also manages a range of commercial agreements, notably including joint ventures.
"George is extremely responsive and produces excellent work product."
Michael Brooks has a wealth of regulatory expertise and is frequently retained to advise on internal compliance reviews.
"Michael has a nice rapport with the regulators and is a very effective lawyer."
"Michael is creative, thoughtful and extremely strong on commercial awareness."
Annie Cook's regulatory practice is focused in the oil and gas space. She is particularly noted for her expertise in pipeline safety matters."