Oil And Gas Business Legal Services In Texas
Handling legal transactions requires experienced guidance to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Founded in 1936, our Midland-based firm is well known in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico for our skill and success in the courtroom and for serving the oil and gas industry. Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin & Browder, Inc.‘s, attorneys bring a diverse set of skills for handling all types of legal transactions in today’s oil and gas industry and emerging issues in the energy industry.
Our legal team has the tools to tackle even the most intricate legal challenges. We are committed to resolving legal issues accurately and cost-effectively, and we take pride in our ability to deliver optimal outcomes.
Transactions Involving Producing Property
Our firm often plays a crucial role in oil and gas business transactions, handling various complex tasks to ensure the deal goes smoothly. Some common tasks we manage for the clients include:
- Due diligence: Conducting thorough investigations into the business being bought or sold. This includes reviewing financial records, contracts, environmental compliance and any potential liabilities.
- Contract negotiation and drafting: Negotiating and drafting the purchase and sale agreements, ensuring all terms are clear and protect their client’s interests. This includes handling complex issues related to mineral rights, leases and royalties.
- Regulatory compliance: Ensuring the transaction complies with all relevant local, state and federal regulations is critical. We help clients navigate the intricate regulatory landscape, including environmental laws and industry-specific regulations.
- Title examination: Examining property titles to confirm ownership and identify any encumbrances or defects that could affect the transaction.
- Financing and tax planning: Structuring the deal to optimize tax benefits and secure financing. This involves working with financial institutions and understanding the transaction’s tax implications.
- Environmental assessments: Given the environmental impact of oil and gas operations, we often oversee ecological assessments and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
- Dispute resolution: If any disputes arise during the transaction, lawyers work to resolve them through negotiation, mediation or litigation when necessary.
These tasks require a deep understanding of the oil and gas industry, as well as applying in various practice areas, including property, contract, environmental and corporate law.
Operating Agreements
Lawyers specializing in oil and gas transactions provide comprehensive services for creating operating agreements. They draft and negotiate the terms of the agreement, ensuring it clearly defines the roles, responsibilities and rights of each party involved in the operation. It includes addressing profit sharing, decision-making processes, dispute resolution mechanisms and other details. Additionally, we ensure the agreement complies with all relevant regulations and industry standards and may also conduct due diligence to verify the accuracy of the information provided by all parties. This meticulous approach helps prevent future conflicts and ensures smooth operations.
Shared Risk Transactions
These transactions often involve the service company accepting a reduced cash payment in exchange for a stake in the producer’s future production, thereby sharing both the risks and rewards. Our lawyers ensure that the agreement clearly outlines both parties’ responsibilities, profit-sharing mechanisms and risk allocations. As with property sales, these transactions also require due diligence, regulatory compliance and other necessary environmental assessments. We can also help structure the transaction to optimize tax benefits and secure financing. This comprehensive legal and business support helps mitigate risks and fosters a successful partnership between the involved parties.
Other Oil And Gas Services We Provide
Along with the above, oil and gas producers and businesses in West Texas and East New Mexico count on us to handle:
- Oil and gas leases
- Farm out agreements
- Joint exploration agreements
- Pipeline operation and construction agreements
- Gas processing, transmission and distribution
We also handle other energy law matters involving solar, wind, well fracking and water resource development.
Put Our Experience To Work For You
To speak with an oil and gas law attorney, contact Stubbeman, McRae, Sealy, Laughlin & Browder, Inc., through this website or call our office in Midland, Texas, at 432-741-3803 or toll free at 800-749-7675.