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Presented by
The University of Texas School of Law
The Oil, Gas and Energy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas


SPONSORS
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Jones Gill LLP
McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore L.L.P.
Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P.
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Conference art

38th Annual

Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute

Houston Mar 30, 2012 Hyatt Regency
Conference Concluded
Video Replay: Dallas May 11, 2012 Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
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Overview

Now in its 38th year, the Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute has earned the reputation of being the definitive course for attorneys, corporate lawyers, E&P operators, and landmen.

This year’s conference brings together a distinguished faculty of both academics and practitioners for one day of presentations on the latest in oil and gas developments, including Professor Ernest Smith’s annual Case Law Update, as well as:

     • Duties of Executive Right Holders—a review of the law after Lesley v. Veterans Land Board of the State
        of Texas

     • Perspectives on Water Usage in the Eagle Ford Shale—Dr. Darrell Brownlow’s luncheon presentation

     • Lease Issues

     • Ethical Issues Facing Counsel in Conducting the Internal Corporate Investigation

     • Selected Federal Environmental Issues Affecting Texas Oil and Gas Industry

Come a day early for Thursday’s Fundamentals of Oil, Gas and Mineral Law—ideal for beginners or experienced practitioners seeking a refresher.

  • Buy

Event Schedule

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

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker
  • Friday Morning, Mar. 30, 2012
    Presiding Officer:
    In Houston: Peter E. Hosey, Jackson Walker L.L.P. - San Antonio, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Houston Only
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Houston Only
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Regulatory Update
    An overview of recent developments at the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and General Land Office (GLO) that may be of interest to the oil and gas practitioner and could impact, lessors, lessees and unleased owners of mineral interests.

    Philip Whitworth, Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. - Austin, TX

  • 9:00 am
    Houston Only
    1.25 hrs
    Case Law Update
    A review of recent decisions dealing with oil and gas leases, royalties, mineral conveyances, joint operating agreements, state regulation and related topics.

    Ernest E. Smith, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

  • 10:15 am
    Houston Only
    Break

  • 10:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Allocation of Royalties

    Virginia Gaye White, Thompson & Knight LLP - Austin, TX

  • 11:00 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Trends in Seismic Agreements
    This presentation discusses geophysical trespass, seismic permits, licenses and related agreements.

    Warren J. Ludlow, XTO Energy - Fort Worth, TX

  • 11:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Duties of Executive Right Holders
    A review of the law after Lesley v. Veterans Land Board of the State of Texas defining the nature of severed executive rights and the duties owed by the executive to owners of nonparticipating royalty and nonexecutive mineral interests.

    Monika Ehrman, CERES Resource Partners, L.P. - Dallas, TX

  • Friday Afternoon, Mar. 30, 2012
    Presiding Officer:
    In Houston: Peter E. Hosey, Jackson Walker L.L.P. - San Antonio, TX
  • 12:00 pm
    Houston Only
    Break to Pick Up Box Lunch
    Included in conference registration.


  • Houston Only
    Luncheon Presentation

  • 12:30 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Perspectives on Water Usage in the Eagle Ford Shale
    Oil and gas exploration and development of the Eagle Ford Shale has raised both the public's and industry's interest in the region's water supplies. This presentation examines the historical water usage in the South Texas area, projections of future water supply availability, and water supply options for the development of the Eagle Ford Shale and other formations.

    Darrell Brownlow, CEMEX USA / San Antonio River Authority - Floresville, TX

  • 1:00 pm
    Houston Only
    Break

  • 1:15 pm
    Houston Only
    1.00 hr ethics
    Ethical Issues Facing Counsel in Conducting the Internal Corporate Investigation
    Post-Dodd-Frank, companies must have an internal investigation plan that can quickly and credibly respond to compliance concerns. This panel advises attendees how to conduct such investigations in a way that is consistent with an attorney's ethical obligations. Topics include the nuts and bolts of a post-Dodd-Frank internal investigation and pitfalls surrounding internal investigations ranging from failure to provide Upjohn warnings to obstruction of justice charges.

    Jay G. Martin, Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston, TX
    Ryan Douglas McConnell, Haynes and Boone, LLP - Houston, TX

  • 2:15 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Strips, Gores and Public Roadways: Is There a Time Bomb on Your Unit?
    A survey of case law governing the application of the strip-and-gore doctrine, and a review of the procedures for leasing publicly owned streets and rights-of-way.

    Clifton A. Squibb, Hamilton & Squibb - Dallas, TX

  • 2:45 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    BOEM, BSEE and ONRR: The Remaking of the "Old MMS"
    This presentation focuses on the post-Macondo restructuring of the former Minerals Management Service and BOEMRE (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement) and the impact on issues such as leasing, permitting processes, environmental regulation, and royalty and revenue payment and calculation.

    Mark C. Rodriguez, Vinson & Elkins LLP - Houston, TX

  • 3:15 pm
    Houston Only
    Break

  • 3:30 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Lease Issues
    Consent asked for but none received—the enforceability of consent to assignment or transfer provisions.

    Allen D. Cummings, Law Offices of Allen D. Cummings - San Antonio, TX

  • 4:00 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Selected Federal Environmental Issues Affecting the Texas Oil and Gas Industry
    Topics covered include the Endangered Species Act, the sand dune lizard, migratory birds, other EPA/environmental issues, the Texas Railroad Commission, and a preview of the upcoming legislative session.

    Andrew Nathan Barrett, Barrett and Associates PLLC - Austin, TX
    Steve Manning, Manning Squared LLC - Gatesville, TX

  • 4:30 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Recorded Memoranda: Just as Good as the Whole Document?
    For various reasons—often to avoid disclosure of terms to which one party or the other has agreed—oil and gas leases and other instruments are more and more frequently represented in the public records by brief memoranda that divulge little beyond the identity of the parties and the property affected. Does the recording of such a memorandum afford the same degree of constructive notice protection as the recording of the entire agreement would? What are the risks? What content should be considered essential to a memorandum prepared for recording purposes?

    William B. Burford, Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P. - Midland, TX

  • 5:00 pm
    Houston Only
    Adjourn Institute

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Andrew Nathan Barrett

Barrett and Associates PLLC
Austin, TX

Darrell Brownlow

CEMEX USA / San Antonio River Authority
Floresville, TX

William B. Burford

Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P.
Midland, TX

Allen D. Cummings

Law Offices of Allen D. Cummings
San Antonio, TX

Monika Ehrman

CERES Resource Partners, L.P.
Dallas, TX

Warren J. Ludlow

XTO Energy
Fort Worth, TX

Steve Manning

Manning Squared LLC
Gatesville, TX

Jay G. Martin

Baker Hughes Incorporated
Houston, TX

Ryan Douglas McConnell

Haynes and Boone, LLP
Houston, TX

Mark C. Rodriguez

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Houston, TX

Ernest E. Smith

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Clifton A. Squibb

Hamilton & Squibb
Dallas, TX

Virginia Gaye White

Thompson & Knight LLP
Austin, TX

Philip Whitworth

Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P.
Austin, TX

Planning Committee

Peter E. Hosey—Chair

Jackson Walker L.L.P.
San Antonio, TX

Jonathan D. Baughman

McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore LLP
Houston, TX

William B. Burford

Hinkle, Hensley, Shanor & Martin, L.L.P.
Midland, TX

Frank N. Cusimano III

Chevron North America Exploration and Production Company
Houston, TX

Monika Ehrman

CERES Resource Partners, L.P.
Dallas, TX

Norma Rosner Iacovo

Tenaska Power Services Co.
Arlington, TX

Michael D. Jones

Jones Gill LLP
Houston, TX

M.C. Cottingham Miles

Martin & Drought, P.C.
San Antonio, TX

David M. Patton

Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP
Houston, TX

Mark C. Rodriguez

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Houston, TX

George A. Snell III

Snell Law Firm
Amarillo, TX

Michelle M. Turner

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Fabené J. Welch

EnerVest Ltd.
Houston, TX

Credit Info

  • Houston
  • Dallas
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 7.25 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): 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.
Toggle view California – 7.25 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.  
Other Credit
Toggle view Registered Landman (AAPL) – 7.25 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
Following the conference, UT CLE will send, to attendees who have claimed AAPL credit in their briefcase, by email the AAPL Affidavit of Attendance with the AAPL course number and reporting information included.
http://www.landman.org
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 8.50 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.
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 7.25 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
Legal Specialization(s): 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.
Toggle view California – 7.25 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.  
Other Credit
Toggle view Registered Landman (AAPL) – 7.25 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
Following the conference, UT CLE will send, to attendees who have claimed AAPL credit in their briefcase, by email the AAPL Affidavit of Attendance with the AAPL course number and reporting information included.
http://www.landman.org
Toggle view TX Accounting CPE – 8.50 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 – Mar 30, 2012 – Hyatt Regency
Conference Concluded
Video Replay: Dallas – May 11, 2012 – Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
Buy
  • Houston
  • Dallas
Standard Registration
Last day for $300.00 Regular pricing: Mar 21, 2012

$350.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Mar 23, 2012

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Mar 26, 2012
Standard Registration
Last day for $250.00 Regular pricing: May 2, 2012

$300.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 4, 2012

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: May 7, 2012

Venue

speaker

Hyatt Regency

1200 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX
713-654-1234

Accommodations

$199.00 good through Feb 28, 2012

Parking Information

Valet $15 per day, Overnight Valet $27

speaker

Cityplace Conference Center

2711 North Haskell Avenue
Dallas, TX
214.515.5100
Map

Parking Information

Complimentary Self-Parking

Our Sponsors

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

  • Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. logo
    Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
    The Fulbright Arbitration and ADR group is widely recognized as one of the world's leading international arbitration practices. With strategic locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, Fulbright is positioned to handle international arbitration disputes wherever they may arise. A record of obtaining successful outcomes in major arbitrations involving a variety of governing laws, jurisdictions and arbitral rules has lead Fulbright to be selected as a leading law firm in the field of international arbitration by the 2008 Chambers Global Guide and one of the top ten arbitration firms worldwide based on total number of arbitrations by the 2007 ALM Focus Europe. Fulbright was the recipient of LatinLawyer Magazine's Deal of the Year: Disputes Category for 2007. The firm's multi-national team of arbitration lawyers is fluent in more than a dozen languages and is experienced in appearing as advocates before arbitrators from a wide range of cultural backgrounds under the rules of all of the major international arbitration institutions. Clients around the world have called on us for some of the most politically charged and high-stakes disputes of recent years, in the public and private sectors. www.fulbright.com www.fulbright.com/

  • Jackson Walker L. L. P.

    Jackson Walker L. L. P.
    As one of Texas' longest-standing health care legal teams, and one of its oldest firms, Jackson Walker is both the history and the future of Texas health care. Jackson Walker has represented Texas clients since 1887, and today offers a full range of health law services to its Lone Star clients. With fifteen health care lawyers, averaging more than 20 years of experience each, Jackson Walker offers full service legal care for its health care clients in its six Texas offices. Our team of health care attorneys handles a wide range of matters including regulatory, reimbursement and compliance; managed care; tax exempt and state non-profit issues; physicians and professional organizations; hospitals and health systems; financing; licensure, certification & accreditation; biotechnology and biomedical. www.jw.com/site/jsp/practiceinfo.jsp?id=24 www.jw.com/site/jsp/index.jsp

  • Jones Gill Llp

    Jones Gill Llp
    Our attorneys have extensive experience in Texas and Louisiana oil, gas, and energy-related transactions and litigation, including acquisitions and dispositions of producing properties, energy loans, title examination, trials and appeals in both State and Federal Courts in Texas and Louisiana. Our attorneys have been employed by the largest oil and gas companies and by major independents as part of their past experience. Our firm has acted as counsel for small to large independents in title examination, due diligence and acquisitions. We have represented both buyers and sellers in multi million-dollar acquisitions and divestitures. We have extensive experience in representing both lessors and lessees in oil and gas leasing. Our firm has been at the forefront of recent seminal issues in oil and gas litigation, such as subsurface trespass by hydraulic fracture stimulation, measure of damages for surface damages, and pooling issues. www.jonesgill.com www.jonesgill.com/
  • McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore L.L.P. logo
    McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore L.L.P.
    From the early beginnings of production regulation in Texas, McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore has represented energy clients - both upstream and downstream, from wellhead to burner tip - in litigation, regulation, and legislation. The firm works with mineral owners, independent operators, and large integrated energy companies to develop and protect mineral properties and assets. Our attorneys provide counseling and litigation services in a wide range of disputes, from individual actions to nationwide class actions and qui tam actions in various state and federal jurisdictions. The firm represents oil and gas clients in complex arbitrations involving a multitude of energy related disputes, including hydrocarbon pore volume determinations in some of the nation's largest oil fields. In representing operators before the Railroad Commission of Texas, our attorneys provide counseling on compliance issues and appear before the Commission in contested hearings. www.mcginnislaw.com www.mcginnislaw.com/

  • Scott Douglass & McConnico

    Scott Douglass & McConnico
    www.scottdoug.com/

  • Vinson & Elkins LLP

    Vinson & Elkins LLP
    www.velaw.com/
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