oil-gas-law

Oil & Gas

The production and reliable delivery of oil and gas is vital to our local, national and global economies.  Mitchell Chadwick understands the importance of a reliable energy supply chain and offers a better approach to acquiring, permitting or maintaining a viable oil and gas project in California.   Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal services to regional, national, and global oil, gas and pipeline companies, from independent producers to Fortune 500 corporations.  Mitchell Chadwick brings industry-specific experience to every project and transaction from operation due diligence to project conception, permitting and operation.

As with all of our practice areas, Mitchell Chadwick attorneys are deeply involved with cutting-edge legal developments within the California oil and gas industries—regularly helping formulate state-wide policy on the front-end and working with clients and regulators when those policies are implemented to make sure our clients are protected.  Our lawyers frequently represent clients before federal, state and local governments, including the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR), California and federal environmental agencies, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We have ample experience in conducting pre-transaction due diligence and regularly advise clients when structuring and negotiating transactions, including acquisitions and sales, farm-out agreements, and joint operating agreements.  Our lawyers are state-wide experts on environmental and hydrocarbon permitting and we are one of the few law firms in the State qualified to render Drilling, Acquisition and Division Order Title Opinions.

Mitchell Chadwick understands the complex issues facing the oil and gas sector.   Our industry expertise and our comprehensive knowledge of the litany of State, federal and local regulations, allow us to provide practical advice to advance our clients’ interests.
 

Representative Experience

Due diligence and negotiation of purchase and sale agreements for oil and gas fields and on-going operations.  Transactions include both properties and operations for oil fields in Kern County, Santa Barbara County, and gas fields in Colusa and Glenn Counties.

Successfully permitted large-scale drilling campaigns in Santa Barbara and Kern Counties.  Projects included “take” permits for endangered species, APDs, CEQA review, 404/401 permits, and streamed alteration agreements.

Permitted large gas pipelines in Elko, Nevada, Fresno County and Madera County.  Resolved agency and public concerns regarding safety, impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and endangered species.  Resolved County needs regarding rights-of-way and franchise agreement.  Shepherded projects through the CEQA/NEPA process.  Obtained encroachment permits from Caltrans and Central Valley Flood Protection Board for pipeline crossing beneath Interstate 5 freeway and aqueduct.
 

Trade Organizations:

American Association of Professional Landmen
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation