Firms To Watch: Energy transactions: oil and gas

O'Melveny & Myers LLP covers a range of transactions on behalf of financial institutions, equity investors, lenders and developers. The team, which is led by New York’s Junaid Chida and Los Angeles-based Michael Hamilton, welcomed Monica Hwang from King & Spalding LLP and Steven Torello and Ryan Cicero from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, all of whom operate from the firm’s Houston office.

Energy transactions: oil and gas in United States

Baker Botts L.L.P.

Counting BP, ConocoPhillips and CenterPoint Energy, to name a few, among its key roster of clients, Baker Botts L.L.P. is instructed by major market players to handle bet-the-company transactions in the oil and gas sector, advising on the full spectrum of matters, including M&A structuring, federal and state tax support and regulatory guidance. With demonstrable experience across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, the team advises on mandates concerning all forms of financing, commercial agreements, equity investments, restructuring and royalty transactions. In the firm's Houston office, Jason Bennett focuses on the development and financing of LNG projects, joint ventures and transactions, while Washington DC-based senior counsel Steven Miles is an industry veteran, who advises on matters arising out of the LNG, natural gas and renewable energy industries. In Houston, Erin Hopkins handles commercial issues involving the acquisition and divestiture of energy companies and joint venture arrangements, and Scott Looper focuses on midstream and LNG project development, while Dallas-based Jonathan Platt represents private equity funds in acquisitions, investments and general corporate matters in the energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Jason Bennett; Mike Bengtson; David Emmons

Other key lawyers:

Larry Hall; Dan Mark; Gerry Morton; Steven Miles; Michael Rosenwasser; Scott Looper; Jon Platt; Erin Hopkins; Clint Rancher

Testimonials

‘Great skill and knowledge.’

‘Exceptional energy firm.’

‘Clint Rancher is an industry expert and provides exceptional client service and value.’

Key clients

Ankura Consulting Group, LLC

BP America, Inc.

BP Canada Energy Group ULC

Broken Hill Proprietary (USA), Inc.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (now Coterra Energy, Inc.)

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Citizen Energy

ConocoPhillips

Crestwood Equity Partners LP

Delek Logistics Partners, LP

Eagle Materials Inc.

Energy Spectrum Partners LP

EQT Production

ETX Energy, LLC

Hibernia Energy III, LLC

Hunt Energy Network L.L.C.

Hunt Oil Company

Kimbell Royalty Partners LP

MDC Texas Energy LLC

Murphy Exploration & Production Company

Rangeview Green River, LLC

Service Compression, LLC

Summit Midstream Partners

Tall Grass Energy, LP

Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.

Wyoming Governor’s Office

Work highlights

  • Advised Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation in its $17 billion merger with Cimarex Energy Co., resulting in Cabot shareholders holding 49.5% and Cimarex shareholders holding 50.5%, respectively, of the combined company, Coterra Energy, Inc.
  • Represented Tudor Pickering in connection with the Whiting Petroleum and Oasis Petroleum merger of equals transaction.
  • Advised CenterPoint Energy, Inc. in the successful completion of the $2.15 billion sale of its natural gas distribution utilities in Arkansas and Oklahoma to Summit Utilities, Inc.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

The ‘top-notch team’ at Kirkland & Ellis LLP represents major players in the oil and gas market on large-scale transactions, with demonstrable experience advising energy companies and private equity funds and standout expertise in asset-backed deals involving assets located in significant domestic shale and conventional plays, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Other key areas of focus include M&A, private equity, fund formations, capital markets, project finance and restructuring. Andrew Calder, who advises on high-value M&A, securities law and corporate governance matters, jointly leads the team alongside Anthony Speier, who is an expert in acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. David Castro handles the purchase and sale of various assets in the midstream and upstream oil and gas sector, while Sean Wheeler’s practice includes securities offerings, M&A and corporate governance work. William Benitez advises on energy transactions related to venture capital investments, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations and Lindsey Jaquillard focuses on acquisitions and joint ventures in the upstream oil and gas market. All named partners are based in the firm’s Houston office. Rahul Vashi left the firm in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Calder; Anthony Speier

Other key lawyers:

Sean Wheeler; David Castro; John Pitts; Doug Bacon; William Benitez; Chad Smith; Christopher Heasley; Lindsey Jaquillard; Cy Jones; Thomas Laughlin

Testimonials

‘Ability to quickly assemble a top-notch team to turn documents quickly and depth of knowledge on every aspect of oil and gas is what sets Kirkland apart.’

‘David Castro is the best M&A attorney I’ve worked with. A standard to measure others by. He is extremely knowledgeable, thoughtful and practical when it comes up to crafting solutions to getting deals done.’

‘Highly commercial team. Very experienced with highly complex transactions in this space and familiar with key players. Their value to us goes well beyond their technical legal skills. Very strong team that can carry a significant workload at a fast pace with high quality leadership.’

‘Practical, real-world advice. Very collaborative with the internal team. Smart negotiators who are thoughtful about how to influence counterparties and get things done.’

‘Thomas Laughlin and his team have been fantastic for us in the past five years. I very much appreciate the attention to detail pre-transaction, during the transaction and continued follow up post-transaction.’

‘Highly intelligent and commercial. Very capable of balancing legal obligations/liabilities with deal success oriented thought processes.’

‘The Kirkland & Ellis team was able to take a very complicated transaction and understand it better and manage the deal dynamics. They focused on what was important and properly framed the commercial considerations for our management team, so we could make the appropriate decisions and then implement them from legal and drafting side.’

Key clients

BCE-Mach

Blackstone Credit

Bison Oil & Gas

Carnelian Energy Capital

Callon Petroleum Company

Civitas Resources

Crescent Energy

Delaware Basin Resources

Devon Energy

Diamondback Energy

Diversified Energy Company

East Resources Management

EnerVest

EQT Corporation

Freehold Royalties

Hatch Resources

Haymaker Minerals

HG Energy

Hilcorp

HPS Investment Partners

Javelin Energy Partners

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.

Magnolia Oil and Gas Corporation

Maverick Natural Resources

Mesa Minerals

Mountain Capital

NGP Energy Capital Management

National Fuel Gas Company

Northern Oil and Gas

Parsley Energy, Inc.

Permian Resources

Quantum Energy Partners, LP

Riverbend Natural Resources

Roff Resources

SemGroup Corporation

Sentinel Midstream

Siguler Guff

Sixth Street Partners

SLANT Energy

The Blackstone Group

Warburg Pincus

Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham & Watkins LLP’s ‘laser-focused’ team acts for its roster of clients across the full range of energy and infrastructure mandates, including the entire oil and gas value chain, from exploration and midstream infrastructure to LNG, refining and petrochemicals. Counting domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and capital markets transactions in its workload, key clients include private and public oil and gas companies, private equity sponsors and lenders. In the firm's New York office, Eli Katz jointly leads the team alongside Justin Stolte, who advises on M&A, joint ventures and alternative finance transactions across the energy sector. John Greer has considerable experience in transactions involving exploration, pipelines and oilfield service companies and Ryan Maierson specializes in M&A and corporate finance, while Lauren Anderson specializes in private equity transactions, M&A and general corporate matters. Stephen Szalkowski focuses on acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity investments and James Garrett is frequently involved in landmark M&A transactions in the energy sector. Associate Ashley Nguyen has broad domestic and cross-border experience concerning strategic transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. All named lawyers are based in Houston, unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Justin Stolte; Eli Katz

Other key lawyers:

Lauren Anderson; Ryan Maierson; Michael King; Stephen Szalkowski; James Garrett; John Greer; Ashley Nguyen

Testimonials

‘The team at LW is laser-focused to provide an excellent product and their results are exceptional.’

‘Michael King and Justin Stolte are outstanding, highly intelligent, knowledgeable and thoughtful individuals.’

Key clients

ArcLight Capital, LLC

Chevron USA

Colgate Energy

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Energy Transfer LP

EQT Corporation

ExxonMobil Corporation

Hess Corporation

Navios Maritime Containers L.P.

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

QEP Resources, Inc.

Sasol Chemicals (USA) LLC

Solaris Water Midstream

Spartan Energy Partners, LP

TechnipFMC

The Blackstone Group LP

Vencer Management, LLC

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Counting large-scale oil and gas exploration and production companies, pipelines, oilfield services companies, commercial banks and private equity firms among its key roster of clients, Vinson & Elkins LLP has a strong track record in handling high-stakes transactions, with experience in the purchase and financing of oil and gas assets and projects. Keith Fullenweider works with private equity firms on investments, financings and exit transactions. Kaam Sahely represents investors and developers in energy and infrastructure investments and projects, and Danielle Patterson is another key contact for handling M&A, private equity investments, joint ventures and project development transactions in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors. Bryan Loocke is another key contact in the group. All named lawyers are based in the firm’s Houston office. John Connally has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Danielle Patterson; Kaam Sahely; Matt Strock

Other key lawyers:

Doug Bland; David Cohen; Keith Fullenweider; John Grand; Bryan Loocke; Shay Kuperman

Key clients

Civitas Resources, Inc.

Continental Resources, Inc.

Desert Peak Minerals Inc.

Devon Energy Corporation

Enable Midstream Partners LP

Enerplus Resources (USA) Corp.

Harvest Midstream

Houston Energy, Inc.

Independence Energy LLC

Midland-Petro D.C. Partners, LLC

Momentum Minerals II, LLC

Pinedale Energy Partners, LLC

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

Plains All American Pipeline LP

Raisa II, LLC

Riverside Energy Holdings LLC

Sentinel Peak Resource, LLC

Verdun Oil Company LLC

Woodside Energy, Ltd.

Work highlights

  • Represented Woodside Petroleum Ltd in its merger with BHP Group, a transaction valued at approximately USD $43bn to create a global top 10 independent energy company by production and the largest energy company listed on the ASX.
  • Advised Enable Midstream Partners, LP in connection with a merger agreement in which Transfer LP will acquire Enable in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately $7.2bn.
  • Advised Pioneer Natural Resources Company in connection with a definitive agreement with Continental Resources to sell all of its Delaware Basin assets for cash proceeds of $3.25bn, subject to normal closing adjustments.

Akin

Akin handles domestic and cross-border transactions in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, liquefied natural gas, coal, utilities, renewable energy sectors, with a strong track record in high-end M&A and divestiture transactions. The team’s expertise extends to purchase and sale agreements, lease acquisition agreements, joint exploration and development agreements, mineral title issues, in addition to day-to-day operations. In the firm’s New York office, Zachary Wittenberg jointly leads the practice alongside Dallas-based Wesley Williams, who specializes in structuring transactions in the upstream and midstream oil & gas sectors. In Houston, John Goodgame assists clients in navigating M&A and joint ventures arising out of the energy sector. Dallas-based Jessica Hammons, who is an expert in securities M&A transactions in the upstream and midstream energy sectors, is another key contact in the group. David Sweeney left the firm in June 2023.

Practice head(s):

Zachary Wittenberg; Wesley Williams

Other key lawyers:

John Goodgame; Jessica Hammons; Stephen Boone; Cole Bredthauer

Key clients

Cardinal Midstream Partners

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Dorchester Minerals, L.P.

Double Eagle Energy

Genesis Energy, L.P.

Grenadier Energy III, LLC

HighPeak Energy, Inc.

Vital Energy, Inc.

New Fortress Energy, Inc.

Pine Wave Energy Partners, LLC

Rattler Midstream LP

San Isidro Energy Company II, LLC

Talos Energy Inc.

Tapstone Energy, LLC

TotalEnergies

Tug Hill, Inc.

Viper Energy Partners LP

Vitol Green Holdings LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented Tug Hill Inc. and its affiliates in connection with the sale of upstream and midstream assets from oil & gas producer Tug Hill and pipeline company XcL Midstream to EQT Corporation for $5.2 billion.
  • Represented New Fortress Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NFE), a global energy infrastructure company, in the sale of 11 liquid natural gas infrastructure vessels to a new joint venture formed with Apollo Global Management Inc. in a deal valued at $2 billion.
  • Represented Diamondback Energy, Inc. in its offering of $1.1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior notes due in 2033.

Bracewell LLP

Bracewell LLP acts for domestic and international clients on the full range of oil and gas transactions, covering upstream, midstream and downstream mandates. Key areas of expertise advising on the full lifecycle of midstream projects, including sale of assets, development, permitting and financing matters, in addition to assisting major financial institutions on standardized and structured oil and gas transactions. Alan Rafte advises on carbon capture projects, as well as pipelines, upstream oil and gas projects and merchant fossil fuel electric generation facilities. Rafte co-leads the practice alongside James McAnelly, who handles the purchase, sale and financing of oil and gas exploration. Cleland Dade represents major energy companies in acquisitions and divestitures, while Jason Jean has experience in M&A in the upstream and midstream energy sector. Molly Butkus is another key contact in the group, specializing in all aspects of upstream and midstream transactions. All named lawyers are based in Houston.

Practice head(s):

Alan Rafte; James McAnelly

Other key lawyers:

Cleland Dade; Jason Jean; Molly Butkus; Austin Lee

Key clients

Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC

Talos Low Carbon Solutions LLC

Beacon Offshore Energy Development LLC

Apache Corporation

Eni Petroleum US LLC

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

Natixis, New York Branch

Altus Midstream Company

Titus Oil & Gas Production, LLC

Sabalo Energy, LLC

Work highlights

  • Representing Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC, a portfolio company of BlackRock Global Energy & Power Infrastructure Fund III, to develop an industrial scale carbon capture pipeline system (CCS).
  • Representing Talos Low Carbon Solutions in its development of various Gulf Coast carbon capture and sequestration projects along the US Gulf Coast including the project offshore Jefferson County, Texas with a lease from the Texas General Land Office, as well as projects with Freeport LNG and the Port of Corpus Christi.
  • Representing Beacon Offshore Energy Development in a series of midstream transactions involving the offshore gathering and transportation of oil and natural gas, as well as onshore processing of natural gas, in connection with the development of various offshore fields being developed in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acts for leading oil and gas exploration, development and production companies, as well as oilfield services and equipment companies, pipeline corporations and downstream entities on a wide range of transactions and project developments in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. Practice chair Michael Darden focuses on domestic and international oil and gas ventures and infrastructure projects, in addition to asset acquisitions and energy financings. Michael De Voe Piazza joined the firm from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in March 2022, boasting the practice’s expertise in handling private equity mandates arising out of the energy sector, and Rahul Vashi joined from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2023. All named partners operate from the Houston office.

Practice head(s):

Michael Darden

Other key lawyers:

Hillary Holmes; Michael De Voe Piazza; Tull Florey; Beau Stark; Robyn Zolman; Rahul Vashi

Key clients

Chief E&D Holdings and Tug Hill

Contango Oil & Gas

Crestone Peak Resources

Expro Group

Callon Petroleum

BP Midstream Partners

Reliance Eagleford Upstream Holding

Patterson-UTI Energy

Excelerate Energy

The Williams Companies

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright acts throughout the value chain for its client roster, consisting of large-scale oil and gas companies, energy associations and oilfield service corporations, as well as banks, credit agencies and other financial institutions. The team advises on a broad range of deals, including acquisitions and divestitures, in addition to the purchase and sale of assets, with LNG transactions forming a major cornerstone of the practice. Craig Vogelsang leads the team and has experience in handling transactions concerning exploration, natural gas, crude oil and hydrocarbons, while John Mauel advises on the development, finance and acquisition of domestic and international oil and gas projects, with additional experience in LNG export and receiving terminal projects. Associate Jessica Rodriguez regularly works on M&A transactions related to oil and gas properties, pipeline systems and LNG export projects. All named lawyers are based in the firm's Houston office. 

Practice head(s):

Craig Vogelsang

Other key lawyers:

John Mauel; Jessica Rodriguez; Alex Niebruegge

Key clients

BP

Baker Hughes

EOG Resources

ExxonMobil

Shell

TotalEnergies

Work highlights

  • Advised Shell Enterprises LLC (Shell), a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell plc, in connection with the sale of its Permian business to ConocoPhillips for US$9.5 billion in cash.
  • Represented Baker Hughes, an oilfield services company, on its acquisition of Industrial Climate Solutions Inc (ICSI), a Canadian-based company that develops and commercializes industrial breakthrough process equipment and technologies to address greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Advising US subsidiary of leading foreign energy company in its exit from the US Gulf of Mexico in a series of divestitures.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP has a strong track record in handling high-value M&A, project development and joint ventures in the oil and gas sector. Counting large-scale market players across the hydrocarbon value chain among its key roster of clients, the ‘proactive’ team’s experience extends to major conventional and unconventional onshore basins in North America, in addition to offshore transactions in the Gulf of Mexico. Practice leader Jay Cuclis handles high-end transactions across the energy sector, including project development, acquisitions and divestitures, while Christopher Richardson focuses on acquisitions, strategic joint ventures and project finance for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas clients. Mingda Zhao is another key name, who focuses on private equity investments and cross-border transactions. All named partners operate from the firm's office in Houston.

Practice head(s):

Jay Cuclis

Other key lawyers:

Christopher Richardson; Steven Otillar; Charlie Ofner; Mingda Zhao; Emery Choi; Clark Wohlferd

Testimonials

‘White & Case’s energy transaction team based in Houston is amazing. With their deep understandings of the energy industry, they are ready to work on any projects or transactions which clients are pursuing.’

‘Mingda Zhao and Emery Choi know their stuff very well. They are always attentive to clients’ voices and understand clients’ needs clearly. In consequence, they always deliver outstanding outcomes.’

‘The team was very proactive in assisting the client.’

Key clients

Marathon Oil Corporation

Sempra Energy

Aramco

Vitol Inc.

Texas LNG Brownsville

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Continental Resources, Inc.

Ministry of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago

Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP

Falcon Minerals Corporation

EIG

Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco)

EDP/Invenergy

Last Mile Energy

Infraestructura Marina del Golfo, S. de R. L. C.V.

Devon Energy Corporation

Work highlights

  • Represented Marathon Oil EF II LLC, a subsidiary of Marathon Oil Corporation in its US$3 billion acquisition of Eagle Ford assets of Ensign Operating LLC, Ensign Operating II LLC, and Ensign Operating III LLC.
  • Represented Aramco on its entry into an Equity Purchase Agreement with US-based automotive services provider Valvoline, Inc. to acquire Valvoline, Inc.’s Global Products Business for US$2.65 billion, subject to certain customary adjustments as set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement.
  • Represented Continental Resources, Inc. in its US$3.25 billion acquisition of certain assets in the Permian Basin from affiliates of Pioneer Natural Resources Company.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton’s New York-based practice handles a broad range of oil and gas transactions, including M&A, capital markets, restructuring and project finance. The team also assists its roster of clients with exploration and production activities, in addition to pipelines and related infrastructure. Richard Cooper, whose practice encompasses domestic and international project financing and restructuring matters arising out of the infrastructure sector, jointly leads the group alongside Jeffrey Lewis, who advises on financing transactions in Latin America, with a focus on infrastructure M&A and project financing. Other key contacts in the team include Chantal Kordula and Adam Brenneman.

Practice head(s):

Richard Cooper; Jeffrey Lewis

Other key lawyers:

Chantal Krodula; Adam Brenneman

Key clients

Underwriters to Chevron

Ad Hoc Group of Secured Project Finance Lenders

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.

Grupo IDESA S.A. de C.V.

Credit Suisse, Bladex, First Citizens Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Group Financiero Inbursa

YPF S.A. and three of its subsidiaries

Initial Purchasers to ENAP

Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP’s energy and natural resources team represents its roster of clients across the entire oil and gas value chain, handling a mixture of sophisticated transactions and day-to-day operational issues. Key areas of expertise include energy transition, in addition to joint ventures, acquisitions, lease interpretations and market value and royalty deductions. Splitting his time between the firm’s Denver and Houston offices, Seth Belzley acts for clients on M&A, joint ventures, project developments and commercial transactions, and jointly leads the practice alongside Dallas-based Robert Dougherty, who is an expert in dispositions and joint ventures relating to oil and gas properties.

Practice head(s):

Seth Belzley; Robert Dougherty

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Derman; Jeremiah Mayfield

Key clients

Grey Rock Investment Partners

Howard Midstream Energy Partners

Natural Gas Partners

Neste Oyj

Oil India Limited

Petrobras America Inc.

Riley Exploration Permian, Inc.

Sunbridge Energy Services

Surge Energy

Tailwater Capital

Work highlights

  • Advised Grey Rock Investment Partners, a Dallas-based investment firm, in its US$1.3 billion business combination with Executive Network Partnering Corporation (NYSE: ENPC), a special purpose acquisition entity backed by former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan
  • Represented Spicewood Mineral Partners, a Dallas-based mineral and energy investment firm, in the final closing of Spicewood Mineral Partners, L.P. with US$250 million of total capital commitments
  • Represented Oil India (USA) Inc. (a subsidiary of state-owned Oil India Ltd.) in the divestment of its U.S. assets in the Niobrara Shale.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is noted for its expertise in oil and gas acreage, asset acquisitions and transactions surrounding exploration, production, development and transportation. The team advises on projects concerning onshore and offshore oil and gas ventures, in addition to major LNG projects in the United States and Latin America. Ian Goldberg leads the team and advises on a broad range of energy transactions, including upstream and midstream mergers, transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, while Michael O’Leary co-heads the firm’s corporate group, with considerable experience in corporate securities and M&A transactions arising out of the energy sector. Both Goldberg and O'Leary operate from the Houston office.

Practice head(s):

Ian Goldberg

Other key lawyers:

Michael O’Leary; Hal Haltom; Cheryl Phillips; Phil Haines

Key clients

Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of Rattler Midstream GP LLC

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Duke Energy Corporation

Gladieux Energy, LLC

Hilcorp Energy I, L. P.

Intrepid Partners LLC

LOGOS Resources II, LLC

Paloma Resources LLC

PBF Energy, Inc.

R. Lacy Inc. / Crain Energy Ltd.

Underwriters’ Counsel for Energy Transfer, LP

Underwriters’ Counsel for Kinder Morgan, Inc.

Underwriters Counsel for NextDecade

Underwriters counsel for PHX Minerals, Inc.

Underwriters’ Counsel for W&T Offshore, Inc.

Wing Resources, LLC

Postlane Capital Partners

Work highlights

  • Represented Intrepid Partners LLC in connection with the acquisition of Shell Midstream Partners LP by Shell USA Inc.
  • Assisting in Hilcorp Energy I, L.P. and Hilcorp Finance Company’s $1bn Private Offering: 4(a)(2) Rule 144A of Debt Offering – Senior Notes.
  • Representing underwriters’ $750m offering of 4.800% Senior Notes due 2033 and $750m offering of 5.450% Senior Notes due 2052 by Kinder Morgan, Inc.

King & Spalding LLP

Counting Chevron, Cheniere Energy and ConocoPhillips, to name a few, among its key roster of clients, King & Spalding LLP handles a broad range of transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, financings and off-take agreements connected to high-end oil and gas transactions. The team advises on all manner of upstream, midstream and downstream mandates, particularly in the fields of oil, LNG, carbon capture, alternative fuel, strategic asset deals and financing, refinancing and debt reduction transactions. Stuart Zisman spearheads the midstream offering and has experience in midstream and downstream energy transactions and projects, advising on pipelines, fractionation facilities and refineries. Peter Hays focuses on upstream mandates, with demonstrable expertise in the acquisition and divestiture of hydrocarbon assets. Both Zisman and Hays operate from the firm’s Houston office.

Practice head(s):

Stuart Zisman

Other key lawyers:

Peter Hays; David Lang

Key clients

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Bayport Polymers, LLC

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP

Castleton Resources

Cheniere Energy

Chevron Corporation

Clear Fork Inc.

Commonwealth LNG, LLC

ConocoPhillips Company

Enervest Inc.

EnLink Midstream Partners, L.P.

Enterprise Products

EOG Resources, Inc.

EQT Corporation

Exterran Corporation

Global Clean Energy Holdings, Inc.

Helmerich & Payne

Hobo Renewable Diesel

Instar

JPMorgan Ventures Energy Corporation

Kinder Morgan Inc.

Luxe Energy LLC

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

Motiva Enterprises LLC

NextDecade

Next Wave Energy Partners, LP

Percussion Petroleum

Providence Energy

P66

Rockcliff Energy

Starwood Energy Group Global Inc.

Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP

Targa Resources Partners, LP

Third Coast Midstream

Trafigura

Work highlights

  • Advised Chevron on the structuring of a commercial decommissioning transaction with Fieldwood Energy and QuarterNorth Energy (lenders; credit bid purchaser), in connection with the Fieldwood bankruptcy.
  • Advised Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage III, LLC (CCL3), a subsidiary of Cheniere Energy, Inc. (Cheniere), in connection with LNG sale and purchase agreements and other commercial arrangements underpinning the US$4 billion project financing of the Stage 3 Project.
  • Advised Global Clean Energy Holdings Inc. in connection with a US$125 million preferred equity investment in GCEH by ExxonMobil.

Locke Lord LLP

With full-service capabilities across the entire value chain, the energy practice at Locke Lord LLP is heavily involved in exploration and production, storage and pipeline transmission, oilfield services and energy commodity trading. The team handles a broad range of transactions, including M&A, project development, joint ventures, private equity and capital markets. Bill Swanstrom, who acts for energy companies on large-scale acquisitions, divestitures, project development and finance activities, jointly leads the team alongside Terry Radney, who routinely advises on purchase and sale agreements, exploration, developments, farm-outs and leases. David Patton is another key name to note, focusing on the sale of assets and equity interest. All named partners are based in Houston.

Practice head(s):

Bill Swanstrom; Terry Radney

Other key lawyers:

David Patton; Hunter Summerford; Henry Benton

Key clients

Enterprise Products Partners L.P.

Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Crestwood Equity Partners LP

Helix Energy Solutions Group

WildFire Energy

Rio Grande E&P LLC

Caliber Completion Services, LLC

Nuevo Midstream Dos, LLC

Hunting PLC

USA Industries

Gulfmark Energy LLC

Aspen Midstream LLC

Howard Energy Partners

MRC Global Inc.

NextEra Energy

Southwestern Energy Company

Targa Resources Corp.

The Williams Companies

Western Midstream Partners

Colonial Enterprises, Inc.

McGuireWoods LLP

McGuireWoods LLP acts for its roster of clients, including major players in the oil and gas market, across the entire value chain of oil and gas projects, including exploration, development, production, storage and transport mandates. Based in the firm’s Pittsburgh office, Anthony Carna leads the team and regularly advises public and private energy companies on M&A, joint ventures, project development and mineral conveyancing matters. Pittsburgh is also home to associate Molleigh Thomas, who focuses on M&A, asset purchases and lease transactions.

Practice head(s):

Anthony Carna

Other key lawyers:

Molleigh Thomas

Key clients

TC Energy

Equitrans Midstream Corporation (EQM)

EQT Corporation

Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC

Aymium

BHE GT&S LLC

Dominion Energy

U.S. Steel Corporation

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s energy and infrastructure group operates at the forefront of innovative transactions, with considerable experience across the upstream, midstream and downstream markets. Key areas of focus include natural gas infrastructure, securitizing producing assets, oilfield services, water infrastructure projects and joint ventures, in addition to energy sustainability, with a strong track record in the carbon capture and hydrogen markets. Global head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure group, Blake Winburne acts for private equity funds and global corporates on transactions concerning midstream transportation infrastructure, exploration and storage facilities. Based in Houston, Winburne jointly leads the team alongside Dahl Thompson.

Practice head(s):

Blake Winburne; Dahl Thompson

Other key lawyers:

Joe Roger; Jonathan Ayre; Bradford Gathright; Adam Kowis; Adam Griffin; David Aaronson

Key clients

Equinor

TotalEnergies

ConocoPhillips

Chevron

Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy)

Nuveen, investment manager of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America

BP Corporation North America

NOVA Chemicals

Ares Management

ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC

Superior Plus

Ocean Rig UDW, Inc.

Schlumberger

WGL Midstream

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp

Vega Energy

Kuvare

AIG

Liberty Mutual

Work highlights

  • Represented ArcLight Capital Partners in the sale of Enstor, Gas to Infrastructure Investments Fund (IIF).
  • Advised investors on the first joint 144A / 4(a)(2) oil and gas wellbore securitization by PureWest Energy. The offering, valued at $600 million comprised a combination of $300 million 144A Class A1 Notes and $300 million of Class A2 Notes offered and sold as a 4(a)(2) private placement.
  • Advised Superior Plus, a Canadian based distributor and marketer of propane and distillates, in its acquisition of Kamps Propane, High Country Propane, Pick Up Propane, Kiva Energy, Competitive Capital and Propane Construction and Meter Services.

Porter Hedges LLP

Porter Hedges LLP counts public and private exploration and production companies, oilfield service corporations and pipeline companies, in addition to natural gas, crude oil and refined products companies, among its key roster of clients. The team also acts for private equity groups across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors on transactions involving fund formations, sale of assets and project equity investments. Asset-backed securitizations form a large proportion of the group’s workload. Randy King, who handles a broad range of onshore and offshore energy projects in the upstream and midstream sectors, jointly leads the practice alongside Robert Thomas, who advises domestic and international oil and gas companies in all phases of the energy business, with notable expertise in the upstream and midstream arenas. Both King and Thomas are based in the Houston office.

Practice head(s):

Randy King; Robert Thomas

Other key lawyers:

Jeremy Mouton; Ray Lees; James Thompson; Benjamin Rajabi

Testimonials

‘Solid knowledge of the energy industry allows Porter Hedges to understand their clients needs.’

Key clients

Sage Road Capital

PureWest Energy, LLC

Azure Midstream Energy

U.S. Well Services, Inc.

Alpine Summit Energy Partners, Inc.

The Williams Companies, Inc.

Chevron USA, Inc.

Sequent Energy Management LLC (an affiliate of The Williams Companies, Inc.)

ARM Energy LLC

Natural Resource Partners L.P.

Private Mineral and Royalty Company

Cathedral Energy Services Ltd.

Reed Smith LLP

The energy and natural resource infrastructure group at Reed Smith LLP operates across the entire value chain of oil and gas projects, and showcases a strong track record advising on upstream and midstream agreements, including operating agreements, drilling contracts, oilfield service agreements, joint developments and natural gas transportation. LNG is another key area of expertise. Dividing his time between the firm’s Austin and Houston offices, Gary Johnson has experience in operations and corporate transactions involving US and international energy companies, while Denver-based Ryan Purpura handles M&A and project finance matters. The Houston office is also home to Stan Perry, who jointly leads the team alongside London-based Prajakt Samant.

Practice head(s):

Prajakt Samant; Stan Perry

Other key lawyers:

Gary Johnson; Ryan Purpura; Kevin Keenan; Craig Enochs; Ryan Haddad

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s acts for large-scale energy companies, private equity funds, portfolio company management teams, state-owned oil and gas companies and financial institutions on upstream, midstream and downstream mandates. Praised for her ‘phenomenal work ethic, knowledge and commercial sense’, practice leader Sarah McLean spearheads the firm’s private equity group, handling acquisition, divestitures and joint ventures for energy clients, while head of the global energy innovation practice Omar Sanji advises on M&A, joint ventures, project development and debt financing matters. Hugh Tucker and Coleson Bruce left the firm in June 2022.

Practice head(s):

Sarah McLean

Other key lawyers:

Omar Sanji; Erin Kaufman

Testimonials

‘Sarah McLean is incredible. Phenomenal work ethic, knowledge and commercial sense.’

‘The firm is extremely collaborative and approaches the work in a way that demonstrates that they are cognizant of the company’s needs and cost constraints. They always provide quick responses and feedback in a timely manner.’

‘Omar Sanji is a true partner to the company. He reviews all bills with extreme rigor and ensures that we are getting incredible value.’

Key clients

EnCap Flatrock Midstream

Silver Hill Energy Partners

Ecopetrol S.A.

Chevron Corporation

Hannathon Petroleum

Foundation Minerals

Southcross Energy Partners

Humble Midstream

DT Midstream

Work highlights

  • Advising Humble Midstream in its joint development and marketing of a low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia production and export facility with Enbridge Inc. to be located near Corpus Christi, Texas.
  • Advised DT Midstream in the acquisition of an additional 26.25% of Millennium Pipeline Company from National Grid Millennium for $552 million.
  • Advising Hannathon Petroleum in its $373 million sale to HighPeak Energy of oil and gas properties in Howard County in the Permian Basin.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Noted for its capability in handling domestic and cross-border M&A, restructuring and financing transactions, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acts for energy companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies in the purchase and sale of oil and gas properties, industry joint ventures and project finance matters. Based in Houston, Jeff Malonson’s practice focuses on M&A, capital markets and corporate governance mandates in the midstream and LNG sectors. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca in Dallas departed in May 2023.

Other key lawyers:

Jeff Malonson

Key clients

Aethon United

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.

Apergy Corporation

Basic Energy Services, Inc.

Blackstone Energy Partners

ChampionX

Chevron U.S.A. Inc.

Chishom Oil and Gas Operating LLC

EP Energy Corporation

Fieldwood Energy LLC (n/k/a QuarterNorth Energy Holding Inc.)

Gavilan Resources

Golden Gate Capital

GSO

Kinder Morgan

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

PSP Investments

RBC Capital Markets

Searchlight Capital Partners

SMBC Nikko Securities

Truist Securities

Wells Fargo

Work highlights

  • Advised Blackstone Energy Partners, as 70% stakeholder in Vine Energy Inc., a developer of natural gas properties in the stacked Haynesville and Mid-Bossier shale plays in the Haynesville Basin of Northwest Louisiana, in Vine’s $2.2 billion sale to Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an explorer and developer of unconventional oil and natural gas assets onshore in the United States.
  • Advised Fieldwood Energy LLC (n/k/a QuarterNorth Energy Holding Inc.), an acquirer and developer of conventional oil and gas assets in North America, including the Gulf of Mexico, in its $1 billion sale of all deepwater assets and certain shallow water and other assets to QuarterNorth Energy Holding, Inc., in connection with Fieldwood’s chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Advised Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan as an investor in Hawkwood Energy LLC in the approximately $650 million sale of Hawkwood to WildFire Energy I LLC (a portfolio company of Warburg Pincus and Kayne Anderson), an independent energy platform company.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Based in the firm’s Houston, New York and Washington DC offices, the practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the oil and gas sector, including the acquisition and divestiture of upstream and midstream assets, joint ventures, project finance, private equity funds and corporate counselling. Archie Fallon, who advises on platform investments, M&A, project development and recapitalizations, jointly leads the team alongside Jay Hughes, who focuses on public and private M&A and distressed asset acquisitions. Brad Honeycutt recently joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. and advises on private financing transactions and corporate reorganizations. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in Houston.

Practice head(s):

Archie Fallon; Jay Hughes

Other key lawyers:

Brad Honeycutt; Jason Nasra

Key clients

AccessESP Holdings Limited

Avolta Power, Inc.

Axis Energy Services Holdings, LLC

Caliche Development Partners, LLC

Cresta Energy Fund

Easton Energy

Enstor Gas

Haddington Ventures, LLC

Magnum Liquids Holdings

Mitsui

OneNexus Environmental

Sentinel Midstream LLC

Western Midstream Partners, LP

Winston & Strawn LLP

Operating across the entire oil and gas value chain, Winston & Strawn LLP has a strong focus on the midstream markets and advises on financings and commercial agreements concerning gathering, transportation and marketing. Praised for its ‘world-class commercial acumen’, other key areas of expertise include transactions involving interstate pipelines, crude oil gathering and LNG projects, in addition to handling mandates arising out of the oilfield services market. In the Houston office, Mike Blankenship, who focuses on corporate finance and securities law matters, co-chairs the energy and infrastructure industry group alongside New York-based Mike Pikiel and Rich Shutran. The Houston office is also home to Isaac Griesbaum, who specializes in upstream and midstream oil and gas mandates, and Chris Ferazzi, who handles M&A and private equity work for exploration and oilfield services clients. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca joined the Dallas office from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Mike Blankenship; Mike Pikiel; Rich Shutran

Other key lawyers:

Larry Murphy; Chris Ferazzi; Isaac Griesbaum; Max Stubbs; Rodney Moore; Samuel Peca

Testimonials

‘World-class commercial acumen.’

Key clients

Arch Energy Partners

EnCap Flatrock Midstream

National Oilwell Varco, Inc.

Nauticus Robotics

Nexus Circular LLC

NGL Energy Partners LP

NOW Inc.

PER Manager, LLC

PetroAlpha Energy LLC

Ranger Energy Services, Inc.

SandRidge Energy, Inc.

Samchully Asset Management Co., Ltd

Schlumberger Ltd.

Targa Resources Partners

WaterBridge Resources LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) in the acquisition of Southcross Energy Operating LLC and its subsidiaries in South Texas for $200 million.
  • Represented WaterBridge in a long-term agreement with Texas Pacific Land Corporation (TPL) focused on sustainable oil and gas development and water management solutions on over 64,000 acres in the core of the Delaware Basin.
  • Represented Nauticus Robotics, Inc. in connection with a business combination with CleanTech Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: CLAQ), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

McDermott Will & Emery LLP acts for major oil and gas clients on a broad range of corporate transactions, including joint ventures, service contracts and M&A, in addition to asset management matters in the upstream and midstream sectors. The team also advises private equity firms on investments into large-scale energy projects. Team lead Jack Langlois focuses on the investment and financing of energy projects and assets in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. Langlois operates from the firm’s office in Houston, while New York-based Parker Lee is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Jack Langlois

Other key lawyers:

Kevin Brophy; Denmon Sigler; Bronwyn Andreas; Parker Lee; Jibin Luke

Testimonials

‘MWE is the brain trust behind many market shaping energy transactions. They allowed us to create an innovative fee/billing structure that aligned with our success.’

‘Parker Lee has a great network alongside a lot of experience. He is easy to work with and follows through on every promise or task.’

Key clients

EnCap Flatrock Midstream

Kraken Resources LLC

Midcon Holdco Partners LLC [89 Energy]

Monadnock Resources LLC

Ridgemont Equity Partners

Vopak Industrial Infrastructure Americas, LLC

Irving Oil Limited

Oasis Petroleum Inc.

Evolve Transition Infrastructure LP

Kayne Anderson

EIV

Woodland

Work highlights

  • Represented Oasis Petroleum Inc., an independent exploration and petroleum company, in its purchase and sale agreement under which Oasis will acquire select Williston Basin assets from Diamondback Energy.
  • Represented TreadStone Energy Partners II, LLC, a portfolio company of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, LP, in its disposition of substantially all of its upstream oil and gas assets located in Burleson, Milam and Robertson counties, Texas, to LRR Pecos Valley, LLC, a portfolio company of Lime Rock Resources.
  • Represented Kraken Oil & Gas III LLC in its sale of assets to Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation. These assets included 8,752 net acres with net daily production of approximately 4,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day (BOE/d) (80% oil); 5 gross/ 2.3 net drilled and uncompleted wells; and 61 gross / 39.5 net undrilled locations (100% operated) located in Mountrail County, North Dakota.

Milbank

Milbank has demonstrable experience advising on project developments, financing transactions and M&A across the oil and gas value chain in North America. Practice head Daniel Bartfeld represents financial institutions and investment firms on multi-sourced financings and infrastructure projects with a focus on Latin America, while Daniel Michalchuk represents project sponsors and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border project financings. Bartfeld and Michalchuk operate from the firm’s office in New York.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Bartfeld

Other key lawyers:

Daniel Michalchuk; William Bice; Alexander Borisoff; Roland Estevez

Key clients

Barclays Bank

Blackstone Credit

Emerald Storage Holdings LLC

Infrastructure Investment Fund

MUFG Bank

Investec Bank plc

Yinson Holdings Berhad of Malaysia

Sumitomo Corporation of Japan

Mizuho

Work highlights

  • Advised New Fortress Energy Inc., owner and operator of natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) infrastructure and other assets, and Ebrasil Energia Ltda. on the sale of the equity interests of the Porto de Sergipe Power Plant to Brazilian power company Eneva S.A.
  • Advised MUFG Bank, Ltd., as lender, in connection with the financing of an anaerobic digestion plant and a biogas upgrading plant at the Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee for the ultimate production of renewable natural gas and fertilizer from the byproducts of the whiskey distillation process.
  • Advised the lenders in connection with the acquisition of 11 LNG infrastructure vessels owned by New Fortress Energy Inc. (“NFE”) by a newly formed joint venture between funds managed by Apollo Global Management and NFE.  

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP offers transactional advice on a range of mandates, including rate agreements and asset management agreements, in addition to the acquisition of oil and natural gas assets, with demonstrable experience advising on oil, LNG and gas-fired projects. In the firm’s Philadelphia office, Benjamin Wills handles M&A, joint ventures and securities compliance matters in the energy sector, while Washington DC-based Kirstin Gibbs represents pipelines, producers and traders on transactional mandates related to infrastructure development and asset management issues. Wills leads the team alongside Stephen Spina and Elizabeth Hanigan, who operate from Washington DC and Chicago respectively.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Spina; Elizabeth Hanigan; Benjamin Wills

Other key lawyers:

Kirstin Gibbs; Sameer Mohan; Felipe Alice

Testimonials

‘The team’s knowledge and experience is invaluable in transactions in the oil and gas industry.’

Key clients

South Jersey Industries

BP

Trillium Flow Technologies

MPLX LP

HF Sinclair Corporation

Buckeye Partners

Trecora Resources

Macquarie

CEPSA

ENEL

Work highlights

  • Advising South Jersey Industries regarding an investment and development in renewable natural gas projects across the northeast that will allow the SJI gas utilities to decarbonize the company’s footprint in New Jersey.
  • Represented MPLX LP in a joint venture with WhiteWater Midstream, EnLink Midstream LLC, and Devon Energy Corp. for the construction of the Matterhorn Express Pipeline, which is designed to transport up to 2.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas.
  • Advised HF Sinclair Corp. in the acquisitions by HollyFrontier and Holly Energy Partners LP of Sinclair Oil Corp. and Sinclair Transportation Co., respectively, from The Sinclair Companies. At the closing of the HollyFrontier transaction, HollyFrontier formed a new parent company, HF Sinclair Corp., and issued Sinclair approximately 60.2 million shares of stock, representing a transaction value of approximately $2.1 billion.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Counting private equity firms, investment banks, infrastructure funds and public and private energy companies among its key roster of clients, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP handles a wide variety of oil and gas transactions, including M&A, asset auctions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and project finance. Following the departure of Frank Bayouth, Eric Otness leads the team and focuses on securities matters, private equity transactions and joint ventures, while Cody Carper advises on energy and infrastructure deals in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sector. Both Otness and Carper are based in the firm’s Houston office.

Practice head(s):

Eric Otness

Other key lawyers:

Cody Carper