2015

International Upstream Energy

Legal, Commercial and Ethical Issues for a Rapidly Changing Industry

Houston Jun 11, 2015 Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston
Conference Concluded

Overview

Join leading members of the international energy sector—attorneys, corporate counsel, NOCs, IOCs and related industry experts—at International Upstream Energy for a practical analysis and advanced discussion on current and recurring issues involving international upstream energy transactions. 2015 highlights include:

Hear insights and legal strategies for challenging times ahead in the global oil and gas industry
Peter Roberts, Andrews Kurth LLP, London UK, presents a lively and in-depth look at default provisions of the JOA—An Uncomfortable Balancing Act: Managing JV Relationships and JV Partner Defaults
Learn about Mexico’s implementation of groundbreaking reforms in the upstream oil and gas sector with Carla Gabriela González Rodríguez, Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos, México, DF
Cross-Border Labor and Employment Law Minefields, presented by Jordan W. Cowman, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Dallas, TX, is an entertaining and informative presentation of the most pressing international labor and employment law issues facing U.S.-based employers
Focusing on the AIPN 2014 Unconventional Resources Operating Agreement, review key issues when negotiating a JOA for an unconventional oil and gas play
FCPA/Anti-Corruption Compliance Update provides the facts and circumstances of recent cases, as well as practical implications and recommendations for modification/enhancement of anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures
Arnold J. Johnson, Noble Energy Inc., Houston, TX, discusses some of the factors that are influencing ethics and professionalism in today’s global environment
Multiple opportunities for networking and interaction with speakers, clients and colleagues including the Thursday Evening Reception

Come a day early for the Wednesday Primer, The Law, Science and Finance of International Energy Projects—ideal for new entrants to the field or as a refresher for experienced practitioners.

International Upstream Energy is presented by The University of Texas School of Law, The Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas (OGERL), and The Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN).

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Thursday Morning, June 11, 2015
Presiding Officer:
Timothy R. Brown, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation - The Woodlands, TX
7:30 am

Registration Opens

Includes continental breakfast.
8:20 am

Welcoming Remarks
8:30 am

0.50 hr

Lex Petrolea: Sources and Successes of International Petroleum Law

Does there exist today a lex petrolea—a system (or sub-system) of laws peculiar to the international oil and gas industry? Several potential sources can be identified: national petroleum laws, international petroleum contracts, custom and practice in the petroleum industry, and international oil & gas arbitration awards. The speaker rules in and rules out emerging elements of today’s lex petrolea.

John Bowman, King & Spalding - Houston, TX

John Bowman, King & Spalding - Houston, TX
9:00 am

1.00 hr

An Uncomfortable Balancing Act: Managing JV Relationships and JV Partner Default

A lively and in-depth look at default provisions of the JOA, informed by publicly reported cases, that considers these key issues: What constitutes a default? Why should one be concerned? What action can one take in response to a party’s default? Inside the JOA? Outside the JOA?

Joanna Kay, Andrews Kurth LLP - London, United Kingdom
Peter Roberts, Andrews Kurth LLP - London, United Kingdom

Joanna Kay, Andrews Kurth LLP - London, United Kingdom
Peter Roberts, Andrews Kurth LLP - London, United Kingdom
10:00 am

Break
10:15 am

1.00 hr

Legal Strategies for Challenging Times

The price of oil has declined more than 40% since July 2014 and the global oil and gas industry faces a challenging 2015, and possibly 2016, based on “stubbornly low” oil prices. Hear insights, strategies, and sample clauses covering use of indemnity clauses in event of contract breach; building off-ramps in joint-ventures, drafting dispute resolution clauses; restructuring and insolvency strategies; operator removal and/or replacement in the event of operator change of control or insolvency/bankruptcy; and the concept of “efficient breach.”

Moderator:
D. Marie Wagner, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation - The Woodlands, TX
Panelists:
Joshua P. Agrons, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP - Houston, TX
Steven P. Otillar, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP - Houston, TX
Jennifer L. Price, King & Spalding - Houston, TX

Moderator:
D. Marie Wagner, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation - The Woodlands, TX
Panelists:
Joshua P. Agrons, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP - Houston, TX
Steven P. Otillar, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP - Houston, TX
Jennifer L. Price, King & Spalding - Houston, TX
11:15 am

0.75 hr

Cross-Border Labor and Employment Law Minefields

This entertaining and informative presentation covers the most pressing international labor and employment law issues facing U.S.-based employers, including an update on independent contractor versus employee classification, professional employer organizations (PEOs), employment issues in contract, applicable law, employment quotas, and privacy laws.

Jordan W. Cowman, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - Dallas, TX

Jordan W. Cowman, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - Dallas, TX
12:00 pm

Pick Up Lunch

Included in registration.
Thursday Afternoon, June 11, 2015
Presiding Officer:
John Bowman, King & Spalding - Houston, TX
LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
12:20 pm

1.00 hr ethics

Ethics and Professionalism in a Global Environment

Ethics and professionalism are being influenced by many factors in today’s global environment. Consider some of these factors, along with areas of commonality amongst the legal ethics rules from a sampling of jurisdictions.

Arnold J. Johnson, Noble Energy Inc. - Houston, TX

Arnold J. Johnson, Noble Energy Inc. - Houston, TX
1:20 pm

Break
1:35 pm

0.75 hr

International Deal Structuring: Tax and Treaty Issues

Review critical issues in international deal structures in both developed and developing countries, including choice of entity, local tax considerations, subsidiary and joint venture structures, special issues for U.S.-based multinational corporations (including controlled foreign corporations, worldwide taxation, and foreign tax credit), and tax treaties.

Nicholas J. DeNovio, Latham & Watkins LLP - Washington, DC

Nicholas J. DeNovio, Latham & Watkins LLP - Washington, DC
2:20 pm

0.75 hr

FCPA/Anti-Corruption Compliance Update: Recent Cases

Global enforcement of anti-corruption laws continues to be a trend that informs the conduct of business and the selection of joint venture partners and contractors throughout the upstream energy sector. Hear an in-depth analysis of the facts and circumstances of a few recent cases, as well as practical implications and recommendations for modification/enhancement of anti-corruption compliance policies and procedures based on these cases.

Jeffrey D. Clark, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - Washington, DC

Jeffrey D. Clark, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - Washington, DC
3:05 pm

Break
3:15 pm

0.75 hr

Capitalizing on Yield Structures in the U.S. Public Markets: Master Limited Partnerships and Yieldcos

Many non-U.S. companies have discovered the benefits of going public in the United States using yield-oriented structures—a trend that is expected to continue and likely accelerate over the next five years. By using a "master limited partnership" or "yieldco" structure, non-U.S. companies can realize the benefits of the U.S. capital markets at attractive valuations while maintaining a flexible governance framework and securing opportunities for increasing cash distributions from existing assets.

Sean T. Wheeler, Latham & Watkins LLP - Houston, TX

Sean T. Wheeler, Latham & Watkins LLP - Houston, TX
4:00 pm

0.75 hr

Joint Operating Agreements for Unconventional Oil and Gas Plays

Review key issues to consider when negotiating a joint operating agreement for an unconventional oil and gas play, focusing on the recently completed AIPN 2014 Unconventional Resources Operating Agreement.

Owen L. Anderson, The University of Oklahoma College of Law - Norman, OK

Owen L. Anderson, The University of Oklahoma College of Law - Norman, OK
4:45 pm

0.75 hr

Mexico: The Hard Work Begins—
Implementation of Historic Energy Reforms

Mexico has gone through historic changes in its energy sector over the past several years. Currently, the country is in the middle of its first public bidding round for rights to develop oil and gas across a variety of prospects. Hear an in-depth analysis of the status of these groundbreaking reforms in the upstream oil and gas sector.

Carla Gabriela González Rodríguez, Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos - México, DF

Carla Gabriela González Rodríguez, Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos - México, DF
5:30 pm

Adjourn to Networking Reception

Sponsored by The Oil, Gas, and Energy Resources Law Section of the State Bar of Texas

Networking opportunity with program faculty, clients and colleagues.

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Joshua P. Agrons

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Houston, TX

Owen L. Anderson

The University of Oklahoma College of Law
Norman, OK

John Bowman

King & Spalding
Houston, TX

Jeffrey D. Clark

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Washington, DC

Jordan W. Cowman

Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dallas, TX

Nicholas J. DeNovio

Latham & Watkins LLP
Washington, DC

Carla Gabriela González Rodríguez

Comisión Nacional de Hidrocarburos
México, DF

Arnold J. Johnson

Noble Energy Inc.
Houston, TX

Joanna Kay

Andrews Kurth LLP
London, United Kingdom

Steven P. Otillar

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Houston, TX

Jennifer L. Price

King & Spalding
Houston, TX

Peter Roberts

Andrews Kurth LLP
London, United Kingdom

D. Marie Wagner

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
The Woodlands, TX

Sean T. Wheeler

Latham & Watkins LLP
Houston, TX

Planning Committee

John Bowman—Co-Chair

King & Spalding
Houston, TX

Timothy R. Brown—Co-Chair

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
The Woodlands, TX

Owen L. Anderson

The University of Oklahoma College of Law
Norman, OK

David Asmus

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Houston, TX

Michael P. Darden

Latham & Watkins LLP
Houston, TX

John S. Dzienkowski

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Michael P. Irvin

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Houston, TX

Christopher Moore

Moyes & Co.
Dallas, TX

Steven P. Otillar

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Houston, TX

Jennifer L. Price

King & Spalding
Houston, TX

William W. Pugh III

Liskow & Lewis, APLC
Houston, TX

Gregory J. Smith

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

David H. Sweeney

Of Counsel, K&L Gates LLP
Houston, TX

Melinda E. Taylor

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

D. Marie Wagner

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
The Woodlands, TX

Donald W. Wendland Jr.

Noble Energy Inc.
Houston, TX

Credit Info

Houston

MCLE Credit

Texas – 8.00 hrs | 1.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): Administrative Law, Oil, Gas and Mineral Law

You may claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the State Bar of Texas. A Certificate of Attendance will be provided in Your Briefcase for your records. The system reports Texas CLE credit every Tuesday. If you are claiming credit in the last week of your birth month, self-report your CLE credit directly to the State Bar of Texas at texasbar.com, using the course number provided on your certificate of attendance.

California – 8.00 hrs | 1.00 hrs Ethics

You must claim your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE is required to provide the State Bar with electronic attendance records for any MCLE participatory activity within 60 days of completion of the activity. The California licensee is responsible for reporting their compliance/credit hours earned to the State Bar at the end of their reporting period directly to the State Bar of California at calbar.ca.gov UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Louisiana – 8.00 hrs | 1.00 hrs Ethics

At the completion of the conference you must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, and will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Supreme Court of Louisiana Continuing Legal Education Committee within 30 days after the conference.

Oklahoma – 9.50 hrs | 1.00 hrs Ethics

You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, then you will then be provided a Certificate of Attendance for your records. UT Law CLE will report credit on your behalf to the Oklahoma Bar Association within 30 days after the conference.

Other Credit

TX Accounting CPE – 9.50 hrs

The University of Texas School of Law (Provider #250) live conferences are presumptively approved by The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for Texas Accounting CPE credit based on a 50-minute credit hour. Approved for general CPE credit only.

At the conference, you are welcome to sign in on the Accounting CPE Record of Attendance form at the registration desk, but we are now reporting all credit online. You will receive a Texas Accounting Certificate of Completion in Your Briefcase. Self-report your CPE credit directly to TSBPA. UT Law CLE will maintain Attendance Records for four years.

Contact us at accreditation@utcle.org if you have additional questions.

Key Dates

Houston – Jun 11, 2015 – Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston

Conference Concluded

Buy

Houston

Individual
Last day for $350.00 Regular pricing: Jun 5, 2015
$400.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $315.00 Regular pricing: Jun 3, 2015
$365.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $280.00 Regular pricing: Jun 3, 2015
$330.00 for registrations received after this time

Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Jun 5, 2015
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Jun 8, 2015

Venue

Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston

2222 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027-3502
713.627.7600
Map

Accommodations

$189 room rate good through May 25, 2015 (subject to availability).

Parking Information

Daily Self-Parking: $10
Overnight Self-Parking: $16
Daily Event Valet: $21
Overnight Valet: $28

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
anadarko.com

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: APC) is among the world’s largest independent oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, with 2.86 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BBOE) of proved reserves and more than 6,000 employees worldwide at year-end 2014. The company’s portfolio of assets encompasses premier positions in the U.S. onshore and deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Anadarko also has international operations in Algeria, West Africa, Mozambique, South America and New Zealand. We are committed to safely producing the energy we all need in a manner that protects the environment, public health and supports our communities. We take our responsibility seriously to safely deliver resources to our energy-hungry world and hold true to our core values of integrity and trust, servant leadership, commercial focus, people and passion, and open communication in all of our business activities.
King & Spalding

King & Spalding
kslaw.com

King & Spalding’s upstream energy practice lawyers represent large and small independent oil companies, majors and super-majors, national oil companies, and international service companies in every type of upstream project, dispute, regulatory matter, and compliance action. We make it our business to know the international oil & gas industry—its players, lenders, regulators, consultants, and leaders, and its history, driving forces, latest trends, and newest frontiers. Many of our lawyers come from successful in-house counsel roles, and collectively, no law firm offers greater domestic and international oil and gas expertise. We have drafted, negotiated, evaluated, and—when necessary—enforced the full spectrum of upstream agreements, and we know not merely what the words say, but what they intend and why they were chosen. Our upstream lawyers often work side by side with our clients over the entire project life cycle, always focused on their business goals while helping them anticipate and mitigate their commercial, legal, and political risks.
Latham & Watkins LLP

Latham & Watkins LLP
lw.com

Latham & Watkins is a global law firm with approximately 2,000 lawyers practicing U.S., English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Hong Kong and Japanese law. We represent clients in more than 75 countries and we have offices in 30 cities, including all of the key financial centers in the U.S., Europe, Middle East and Asia. We have internationally recognized practices in a number of transactional, regulatory and litigation areas. Latham & Watkins has received praise for our innovative approach to law firm management and for our pro bono work both on a local and global scale. Our success is grounded in our devotion to the collaborative process, which reaches across global offices and practices and draws upon our deep subject matter expertise, an abiding commitment to teamwork and a powerful tradition of creative lawyering.
Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright
nortonrosefulbright.com

Norton Rose Fulbright is a global legal practice. We provide the world's pre-eminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. We have more than 3,800 lawyers based in over 50 cities across Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Recognized for our industry focus, we are strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions, energy, infrastructure, mining and commodities, transport, technology and innovation, and life sciences and healthcare.

International Upstream Energy

Overview

Event Schedule

Thursday Morning, June 11, 2015

Thursday Afternoon, June 11, 2015

Conference Faculty

Planning Committee

Credit Info

MCLE Credit

Other Credit

Key Dates

Venue

Royal Sonesta Hotel Houston

Accommodations

Parking Information

Our Sponsors

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation

King & Spalding

Latham & Watkins LLP

Norton Rose Fulbright

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