Steptoe LLP maintains an active oil and gas disputes practice from Washington DC, with a strong focus on defending pipeline companies before FERC and the appellate courts. The team handles complex regulatory and litigation matters, including pipeline transactions, project development, safety and accident response, and FERC enforcement proceedings. It also advises on presidential permits for cross-border pipelines and other specialised permitting issues, reflecting its depth in federal regulatory frameworks. Energy group chair Daniel Mullen counsels clients on commodities enforcement, investigations and related litigation. Head of oil and gas Daniel Poynor regularly represents pipeline operators before FERC and on appeal. Joshua Runyan advises on the construction and operation of major energy and infrastructure projects.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Key clients
- Center For Houston’s Future
- Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
- Colonial Pipeline Company
- Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA)
- ConocoPhillips Company
- ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.
- Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Targa Resources Corporation
- Northern Natural Gas
Work highlights
Representing two Enbridge pipelines in connection with challenges filed at FERC related to their indexed rate increases. The Commission set the challenges to each pipeline’s rates for separate hearings, subject to settlement judge procedures.
Representing Colonial Pipeline Company in the largest oil pipeline proceeding ever brought before the FERC, involving a series of complaints challenging all of Colonial’s rates, including its market-based rates and market-based ratemaking authority, as well as its indexed rates.
Assisted the Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA) with comments responding to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Inquiry regarding potential changes to oil pipeline capacity allocation rules for anomalous conditions.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Daniel Mullen; Daniel Poynor
Other key lawyers
Joshua Runyan; Steven Reed; Shaun Boedicker; Karen Bruni; Michelle Castaline