Skip to content

Natural gas plays an integral role in America and the world’s energy mix. Our lawyers are regularly called upon to advise owners and developers of natural gas and LNG projects, as well as sellers and off takers on issues related to infrastructure, proposed transactions, trading, rates, tariff filing, pipeline safety, environmental compliance, and a multitude of other questions arising from the management and operation of the LNG value chain. We also counsel companies with respect to questions of jurisdiction under the Interstate Commerce Act (ICA) and the Natural Gas Act (NGA), compliance with the non-discrimination and other provisions of the ICA and NGA, interpretation and application of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, and other pipeline regulatory issues in connection with various proposed transactions, including mergers and acquisitions of regulated pipelines, pipeline capacity leases, throughput and deficiency agreements, and pipeline open seasons.

Our team includes former FERC staff, along with former in-house senior attorneys from large integrated gas and electric companies, a large international pipeline company, and a major independent oil & gas operator. We have presided over client transactional and litigation matters in the energy and transportation industries with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake.

We partner with other attorneys and professionals on cross-disciplinary issues, drawing on our firm’s deep experience in practice areas that intersect with natural gas and LNG matters, including mergers and acquisitions, environmental and natural resources, government and regulatory affairs, cybersecurity and data protection, transportation and logistics, construction, insurance, and more.

Representative Natural Gas and LNG Clients

  • Exploration and production (E&P) companies
  • Terminal operators for oil, products, and LNG
  • Pipeline owners and operators
  • LNG storage and transportation companies
  • EPC services contractors
  • Oil and gas utility and transport companies
  • LNG shipping companies
  • Gas processing and distribution companies
  • Marketing, trading, and risk management firms
  • Large commercial and industrial customers relying on natural gas to support their operations

Transactional Experience

Our team has extensive experience in handling transactions that are unique to the natural gas industry, and we regularly advise our clients on commercial contracts, project development, joint ventures, leases, throughput agreements, joint tariff agreements, mergers and acquisitions, purchases, sales, and taxation. Our attorneys have assisted commercial lenders, developers, and contractors in projects across the globe. We incorporate advanced risk allocation and mitigation techniques to resolve complex issues encountered when financing infrastructure projects.

Regulatory Experience

We represent clients in compliance, declaratory order, and enforcement issues before FERC, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), DOT’s Office of Inspector General (OIG), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our attorneys work closely with our Government & Regulatory Affairs team, which represents clients in policy-making discussions in Congress and federal agencies. Our relationships with federal and state regulatory agencies enable us to represent clients aggressively in enforcement matters and investigations.

Environmental Experience

Our Environmental & Natural Resources team has extensive experience advising on all aspects of environmental issues related to pipeline permitting, construction, operation, and maintenance, including compliance with new and existing regulations, as well as repair and replacement of infrastructure. We pride ourselves on our ability to address clients’ evolving legal and business needs as efficiently and effectively as possible by leveraging the talent and experience of our Environmental and Energy lawyers across the nation.

Enforcement Experience

Through our energy enforcement and investigations practice, we advise clients on identifying and mitigating potential violations of applicable laws, support clients in audit preparation and response to FERC audits, and defend clients that are the subject of FERC enforcement actions. We also assist clients with conducting comprehensive internal investigations and compliance audits, as well as provide extensive counseling related to maintaining compliant and up-to-date internal compliance programs.

Cyber and Operational Incidence Response Experience

The cyber threat landscape, along with its associated regulatory landscape, is constantly changing. Our Cybersecurity, Data Protection, and Privacy team helps clients develop and implement compliance programs that reduce incidents, as well as develop strategies and action plans to mitigate the aftermath of incidents to protect both the environment and clients’ business interests. When incidents occur, our rapid response team immediately advises on claims containment, civil and criminal liability, state and federal enforcement, and crisis management.