You operate at the highest levels of the energy industry. Your decisions involve massive capital, intricate assets and high-stakes negotiations. In the heart of the Permian Basin, the margin for error is nonexistent. You need a partner who understands the weight of a billion-dollar deal.
From Midland and Fort Worth, Dawson Springman advises on oil and gas acquisitions, divestitures, and related agreements. The attorneys bring over 50 years of combined legal experience and have handled over $2 billion in oil and gas transactions.
The focus is practical advice for the transaction and your business objectives.
Comprehensive Services For Complex Energy Portfolios
The firm’s business law attorneys handle every stage of the asset lifecycle. They manage the technical details so you can focus on growth and operations. Their work spans from the Delaware Basin acreage to the corporate boardrooms of Fort Worth. They can provide services including:
- Oil and gas acquisitions: Managing the purchase process for high-value upstream assets for the transfer of ownership.
- Mineral rights transfers: Verifying the chain of title and executing accurate documentation for the movement of mineral interests.
- Joint operating agreements: Drafting frameworks that define the rights and duties of operators working within the same field.
- Midstream infrastructure contracts: Establishing the development and sale of gathering systems and saltwater disposal wells.
- Energy asset divestitures: Structuring the exit to maximize value and minimize liability when it is time to sell.
These services represent only a fraction of their capabilities. The firm handles purchase and sale agreements with meticulous care. They also manage farmout agreements and master service agreements for large-scale projects. If your project requires unitization agreements or pooling agreements, your lawyers provide you with the necessary structure. They handle the heavy lifting of leasehold examinations and mineral estate valuation.
Every document they produce aims to protect your interests in a volatile market.
The Necessity Of A High-Stakes Energy Sector Transactions Attorney
Large-scale energy deals involve thousands of moving parts. A single oversight in a drilling title opinion or a division order title opinion can halt a project. Counsel can help identify legal issues and outstanding requirements before you commit capital. The firm’s team understands the nuances of Texas Railroad Commission compliance to keep your operations above board.
The energy landscape is changing. Today, deals often include discussions on carbon capture credits and the 45Q tax credit. You may need to secure renewable energy easements or clarify produced water rights. These emerging fields require attorneys who stay ahead of the curve. The firm employs a team that knows the land, the players and the law.
How Does The Federal Energy Policy Shift Affect Asset Valuations In The Permian Basin? How Will This Impact The Transaction?
Changes in leasing regulations on federal lands or new NEPA assessments can alter the projected value of upstream assets. These shifts often lead to more rigorous due diligence periods during energy sector transactions. Buyers become more cautious about long-term regulatory costs. This environment makes precise mineral estate valuation even more critical for a successful closing.
What Are The Legal Considerations For Joint Exploration Agreements For Shale Plays?
Joint exploration agreements need clear definitions of cost-sharing and data-sharing. Parties must decide how to handle drilling obligations. They need to determine what happens if one partner chooses not to participate in a well. Your joint exploration agreements should address the specific geological challenges of shale plays in these documents. The agreement must also outline the rights to any produced water or byproducts discovered during the exploration phase to reduce uncertainty and the risk of disputes.
Who Owns Produced Water Byproducts Under Current Texas Supreme Court Rulings?
In Cactus Water Services v. COG Operating, the Supreme Court of Texas held that the conveyances at issue included the constituent water in the oil-and-gas liquid-waste byproduct, absent an express reservation. The court did not decide ownership of nonhydrocarbon minerals within that byproduct. Review the actual title documents and agreements before assuming that water-handling rights resolve every ownership question. Our produced-water article explains this distinction.
Discuss Your Next Energy Acquisition With The Firm’s Texas Lawyers
Dawson Springman is ready to lead your next multimillion-dollar deal. The firm’s sophisticated counsel protects your capital in even the most complex agreements in the Permian Basin and beyond. To schedule a consultation, call the firm’s law office at 817-870-1212 or use the contact page.