Oil and Gas

Lawson Lundell has an extensive oil and gas practice. Led by a team of energy lawyers in our Calgary office, we provide advice on major and junior producers as counsel on exploration, acquisition/disposition and production of conventional oil and gas, oil sands, shale gas as well as transportation of oil, gas and LNG. In addition, we assist in the preparation of estate applications including court orders and vesting orders for the purposes of estates and beneficiaries granting oil and gas leases in Western Canada.

Our Energy Group draws on the expertise of our well established regulatory, environmental, Indigenous, M&A, tax, public markets, construction and labour and employment practices.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

Lawson Lundell lawyers are experienced in all matters relating to oil and gas transactions. We act as counsel in the context of all sizes of asset transactions acting for both vendors and purchasers. Our services include:

• Drafting and negotiation of letters of intent, general conveyances and purchase and sale agreements pertaining to oil and gas assets and facilities
• Drafting and negotiation of oil and gas asset divestiture, co-ownership and earning arrangements
• Structuring and implementation of corporate, joint venture and partnership re-organizations
• Due diligence review of title to petroleum and natural gas assets to identify, assess and rectify deficiencies on behalf of both vendors and purchasers
• Preparation and circulation of a variety of ancillary conveyance and closing documents in connection with matters of all sizes including co-ordination of major conveyancing projects and distribution of rights of first refusal

Corporate Finance and Securities / M&A

We are experienced in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions and corporate reorganizations in the oil and gas sector. Our experience includes:

• Corporate finance and securities transactions, including public and private share and debt financings, initial public offerings, business combinations and stock exchange listings
• Advising in connection with corporate re-organizations for upstream, midstream and downstream entities
• Acting as counsel to boards of directors and special committees in change-of-control transactions, such as takeover bids (both friendly and hostile), amalgamations, plans of arrangement, asset acquisitions and dispositions, significant equity infusions and restructuring scenarios
• Advising with respect to mergers and acquisitions and project development transactions
• Conducting due diligence investigations with respect to change-of-control transactions as well as acquisitions and dispositions

Operations

Lawson Lundell lawyers take pride in being seen as the landman's best legal resource on day to day operational issues. Our services include:

• Drafting, negotiating and reviewing various energy related agreements including operating, earning, pooling, production allocation and royalty agreements
• Reviewing oil and gas operating agreements and related operational issues to negotiate and resolve issues among co-owners
• Oil and gas rights verification including title, historical title and pre-drilling opinions
• Design and implementation of freehold lease and agreement maintenance and compliance programs
• Drafting and negotiating of construction, ownership and operation agreements and hydrocarbon processing and transportation agreements
• Management and resolution of oil and gas operational issues and disputes 

Regulatory

We have a leading regulatory practice and regularly advise clients with respect to Indigenous, environmental and permitting issues. Our experience includes:

• Provision of strategic advice on representations to government on Indigenous consultation related matters, including consultation requirements delegated to project proponents pursuant to the Crown's duty to consult Indigenous groups about decisions affecting their rights
• Consultation and negotiation of agreements with Indigenous groups designed to facilitate the environmental assessment and permitting process with respect to oil and gas projects
• Advising clients in relation to their applications to the provincial and federal energy regulators for regulatory approval
• Successfully representing LNG export licence applicants before the National Energy Board

Team