Venable LLP has distinguished itself as regulatory and litigation counsel to shippers in crude oil, petroleum product and NGL pipeline matters before FERC. The team, based in Washington DC, regularly handles complex issues including market-based rates, competition in transportation markets, return on equity development, tax treatment, cost allocation and other significant pipeline revenue and pricing disputes. Practice head Richard Powers brings extensive experience across administrative, judicial and transactional matters in the oil and gas sector. Steven Adducci focuses on crude oil, petroleum products and NGL proceedings before FERC. Matthew Field litigates market-based rate, discrimination and jurisdictional disputes, while Gregory Wagner adds depth in regulated crude oil and natural gas litigation and transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'This practice is lead by an individual who grew up in the oil fields and whose family has been in the oil and gas business for decades. Thus he has practical experience which most firms do not possess.'
- 'Richard Powers has been practicing in his energy practice space for decades and building off his lifetime of experience with oil and gas issues.'
- ‘Lots of knowledge in the energy sector.'
- ‘Timeliness, responsiveness, and attention to detail.’
Key clients
- Airlines 4 America
- American Airlines, Inc.
- BP Products North America, Inc.
- California Resources Corporation
- Cenovus Energy US LLC
- Delta Air Lines, Inc.
- HollyFrontier Refining & Marketing LLC
- Husky Marketing & Supply Company (an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of Cenovus Energy Inc.)
- Husky US Marketing LLC (an indirect and wholly owned subsidiary of Cenovus Energy Inc.)
- JetBlue Airways Corporation
- Metroplex Energy, Inc.
- Monroe Energy LLC
Work highlights
Representing a coalition of refiners and end users before the California Public Utilities Commission challenging multiple SFPP intrastate rate increase applications totaling more than 25%, with consolidated proceedings addressing cost-of-service and jurisdictional issues following hearings held in mid-2025; a decision is expected in early 2026.
Served as lead counsel for a coalition of pipeline shippers in one of the largest rate challenges ever before FERC against Colonial Pipeline Company, securing nearly $1 billion in settlement payments and hundreds of millions of dollars in future rate savings following extensive litigation and final settlement in 2024.
Represented Husky Marketing & Supply Company and Phillips 66 Company in a FERC proceeding and subsequent DC Circuit appeal challenging South Bow US LLC’s, fka TransCanada Keystone Pipeline’s, past, present, and future transportation rates as unjust and unreasonable, in a rare case addressing committed crude oil transportation rates.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Richard Powers
Other key lawyers
Steven Adducci; Matthew Field; Gregory Wagner; Joseph Hicks; William Bolgiano; Alexandra Krebs