2009 Oil, Gas, & Energy Law Symposium


On January 22nd and 23rd, the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law hosted its 4th Annual Symposium at The Thompson Conference on the University of Texas campus.  The 2009 Symposium covered a variety of current issues in the energy industry from urban drilling to wind energy. Over 100 people attended the event - click here for a list of attendees.


Click here to view details from the 2009 Symposium.

Review the 2009 Symposium Program.

  

Speakers and Topics


Mr. Dick Watt - Watt Beckworth Thompson & Henneman

A Selected Update of Oil and Gas Case Law in Texas, including a Semi-Objective View of Current Judicial Decision Making in Oil and Gas Cases

Mr. Watt discussed recent Texas Supreme Court decisions affecting the oil & gas industry.

Powerpoint Slides

Sheppard Amicus Brief by Dick Watt

Sheppard Amicus Brief by Cotton Bledsoe

Sheppard Amicus Brief by Laura Burney

Kerlin Opinion


Ms. Marianne Carroll - Brown McCarroll

Texas Electric Market: Issues Presently Confronted by a Restructured Electric Market in Transition

Ms. Carroll provided an overview of current issues affecting the Texas Electric Market with a focus on the implementation of a nodal based system.

Powerpoint Slides


Philip Peacock - Andrews Kurth

MLP Structures and Relevant Legal Issues

Mr. Peacock explained what Master Limited Partnerships are, how they are being used, and why.

Powerpoint Slides


Jeff King - K&L Gates

Basic Oil & Gas Law in the Marcellus Shale States

Mr. King discussed basic oil and gas law in the Marcellus Shale states including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and even New York, and how different the law and development process is in those states compared to Texas.


Jim Prince - Vinson & Elkins

New SEC Oil and Gas Disclosure Rules

Mr. Prince explained recent changes to the SEC Rules that change the disclosure requirements for oil & gas companies.

Powerpoint slides
Handout


Professor John Dzienkowski - University of Texas School of Law

Energy Law Ethics

Professor Dzienkowski discussed common ethical dilemmas that transactional attorneys are likely to face.

Handout


Professor Stephen Arbogast - University of Houston Baurer College of Business

Project Finance for Risk Mitigation in High Risk Locations - The Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Case

Professor Arbogast discussed the challenges and possible solutions for allocating risk faced by oil companies seeking to invest in high-risk areas of the world using a combination of private and NGO financing, using the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline as an example.

Powerpoint Slides


Martin Garza - K&L Gates & Fritz Quast - Taylor, Olson, Adkins, Sralla & Elam

Panel Discussion on Urban Drilling and Relevant Legal Issues

This panel discussed a variety of issues arising from urban drilling, providing the perspective of both the operator and the city.

Powerpoint Slides


Diana Liebmann - Haynes & Boone

Developments in Competitive Renewable Energy Zones

Ms. Liebmann provided an update on the Competitve Renewable Energy Zone proceeding at the Public Utility Commission and how it will impact the wind industry.

Powerpoint Slides

Handout


Flip Whitworth - Scott, Douglass & McConnico

Horizontal Drilling in Urban Areas

Mr. Whitworth provided the framework for working through the administrative process at the Railroad Commission when drilling in urban areas.

Powerpoint Slides

Handout