Bracewell LLP remains an oil and gas litigation powerhouse, securing significant victories at both trial and appellate levels for clients across the energy value chain. The team represents companies as plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial and industry-specific disputes and operates with seamless access to the firm’s broader energy, environmental, regulatory, and finance capabilities, ensuring fully integrated advice on high-stakes matters. Houston-based co-head Stephen Crain focuses on disputes arising throughout the energy sector, acting for developers, producers, commodity traders, and suppliers in sophisticated litigation. Fellow Houston co-head Bradley Benoit maintains a balanced practice serving both plaintiffs and defendants, with a strong emphasis on energy-related litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'In all matters where my company has been represented by Bracewell, they have shown great technical understanding in the oil and gas arena as well as a willingness to learn as they go.'
Key clients
- Apache Corporation
- Chevron USA, Inc.
- Unocal Corporation
- PetroChina International Inc.
- Tenaska Gas Storage, LLC
- Tenaska Marketing Ventures
- Tenaska Capital Management LLC
- Tenaska, Inc.
- Rockland Capital
- Amadeus Wind, LLC
- Drew McManigle, Chapter 11 Trustee of Escambia Operating Company, LLC and Escambia Asset Company, LLC
- Phillips 66 Pipeline, LLC
- HF Sinclair
- Cheniere Energy, Inc.
- Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Kinder Morgan)
- Bunker One (USA) Inc.
- Explore Mining Company LLC and Explore Logistics LLC
- Pilot Water Solutions Permian LLC and Pilot Water Solutions LLC
Work highlights
Advises Apache Corporation in high-stakes royalty, contract, environmental, and carbon trespass litigation across Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, achieving key dismissals, appellate wins, and class action leadership in landmark oil and gas disputes.
Representing major energy companies in landmark “market manipulation” cases arising from Winter Storm Uri, securing dismissal after the firm argued the lead motion in one of Texas’ most significant oil and gas disputes.
Representing the Escambia bankruptcy trustee in litigation against Moncla Workover & Drilling, pursuing recovery for a destroyed gas well critical to Escambia’s estate and unsecured creditors, following negligent drilling that rendered the well inoperable.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Stephen Crain; Bradley Benoit
Other key lawyers
W. Stephen Benesh