K&L Gates represents oil and gas clients in judicial and administrative proceedings spanning leasehold and surface use disputes, royalty payment claims, joint operating and participation agreements, gas sales contracts and asset purchase disputes. The team combines extensive US litigation experience with exposure to international markets, supported by maritime and offshore, policy, regulatory and environmental practitioners to deliver comprehensive coverage across complex energy disputes. In Dallas, Jeffrey King represents producers, marketers and pipeline companies in federal and state courts. In Pennsylvania, Thomas Ryan and Travis Brannon are noted for upstream and midstream litigation in the Appalachian basin.
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Key clients
- Continental Resources Inc.
- Devon Energy
- Mach Resources
- XTO Energy
- Pioneer Resources
- ConocoPhillips
- EQT Production Company
- Stone Hill Minerals
- Tug Hill Operating
- BCE-Mach III LLC
Work highlights
Defended Continental Resources Inc. in an oil and gas related class action litigation filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma demonstrating the use of analysis of factual data related to the realities of determining when a payment is “late” under Oklahoma law, which had not been used before in the defence of a case.
Acted as lead trial counsel and is lead appellate counsel for XTO Energy Inc. in a $15,000,000 claim, the litigation is of wide significance, as the Eighth Circuit now has an opportunity to weigh in on a split of authority or send a certified question of law to the Arkansas Supreme Court.
Represented Devon Energy in Texas State Court in Tarrant County, Texas, obtaining a summary judgment on all issues which set the stage for the management of multiple other claims pending against the client asserted by other royalty owners.
Practice head
Ben Holland
Other key lawyers
Jeffrey King; Thomas Ryan; Travis Brannon