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Conference art

39th Annual Ernest E. Smith

Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute

Houston Mar 22, 2013 Omni Houston Galleria
Conference Concluded
Video Replay: Dallas May 17, 2013 Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
Buy
Related products: Materials

Houston Registration is Closed.

Register for the LIVE WEBCAST

Registrations postmarked/faxed/emailed after March 18, 2014 will not be accepted.
There is no waiting list and walk-in registrations on-site will not be accepted.
Updated Wednesday, March 18, 2014 3:00 p.m.



PRESENTED BY
The University of Texas School of Law
The Oil, Gas and Energy Law Section of the State Bar of Texas


SPONSORS
Jackson Walker L.L.P.
Jones Gill LLP
Locke Lord LLP
Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P.
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Overview

Now in its 39th year, the Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Institute has earned the reputation of being the definitive course for attorneys in private practice, in-house counsel, E&P operators, and landmen. This year's conference brings together a distinguished faculty of both academics and practitioners for a full day of presentations covering the latest in oil and gas developments.

2013 program highlights include:

  • Professor Ernest Smith's annual Case Law Update
  • Current Surface Use Issues
  • The Expanding Reach of Exculpatory Provisions and Releases in Asset Purchase and Joint Operating Agreements
  • Use of Natural Gas for Power Generation
  • Horizontal Wells and Commingling
  • The Supreme Court and Landowner Condemnation-Industry and Landowner Perspectives
  • Ethics: What Lawyers Can Learn About Professionalism and Communication from the Career of Abraham Lincoln

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. 22, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    In Houston: Douglas J. Dashiell, Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. - Austin, TX
  • 7:30 am
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Current Surface Use Issues
    Current surface use issues impacting operators including surface use agreements, water disposal issues, municipal regulation and damage claims.

    Rick G. Strange, Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson, PC - Midland, TX

  • 9:00 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Developing Issues Related to Salt Water Disposal
    A discussion of current legal and regulatory issues related to salt water disposal in Texas.

    D. Davin McGinnis, Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. - Austin, TX

  • 9:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.75 hr
    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
    Break

  • 10:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Case Law Update - continued

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

  • 11:00 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Buyer Beware—Expanding Reach of Exculpatory Provisions and Releases in Asset Purchase and Joint Operating Agreements
    What transactional and trial counsel need to know about recent developments in the law governing contractual limitations on liability.

    Joseph G. Thompson III, Watt Beckworth Thompson Henneman & Sullivan LLP - Houston, TX

  • 11:30 am
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Water Use for Fracking
    A critical analysis of the rules and availability of water sources used in oil and gas development, including recycling and alternatives to fresh water.

    Russell S. Johnson, McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore - Austin, TX

  • 12:00 pm
    Pick Up Lunch
    Included in Institute registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, Mar. 22, 2013
    Presiding Officer:
    In Houston: Douglas J. Dashiell, Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. - Austin, TX
  • Lunch Presentation

  • 12:30 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Use of Natural Gas for Power Generation
    Legal, environmental and practical issues arising from the use of natural gas to generate electricity and the effect on producers, pipelines and generators.

    Kathleen E. Magruder, BP Energy Company - Houston, TX

  • 1:00 pm
    Break

  • 1:15 pm
    Houston Only
    0.75 hr
    Horizontal Wells and Commingling
    A review of the law of commingling in Texas as it now or may apply to horizontal wells.

    Terry E. Hogwood, Houston, TX

  • 2:00 pm
    Houston Only
    1.00 hr ethics
    What Lawyers Can Learn About Professionalism and Communication from the Career of Abraham Lincoln

    Talmage Boston, Winstead PC - Dallas, TX

  • 3:00 pm
    Break

  • 3:15 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Supreme Court Landowner Condemnation: Landowner Perspective
    A review of Supreme Court landowner condemnation cases involving the value of the land and value of the taker, including the use of eminent domain in conjunction with the reach of the common carrier statute.

    Luke J. Ellis, Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP - Austin, TX
    Justin A. Hodge, Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP - Houston, TX

  • 3:45 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Supreme Court Landowner Condemnation: Industry Perspective
    The impact of Denbury on the industry and eminent domain practice.

    Thomas A. Zabel, Zabel Freeman - Houston, TX

  • 4:15 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Drafting Production Sharing Agreements
    An overview of the history and purpose of Production Sharing Agreements and recommended provisions.

    Robert D. Jowers, Shannon Gracey Ratliff & Miller, LLP - Houston, TX
    Mickey R. Olmstead, McElroy Sullivan Miller Weber & Olmstead, LLP - Austin, TX

  • 4:45 pm
    Houston Only
    0.50 hr
    Negotiating and Drafting Joint Development and Exploration Agreements
    A timely discussion of joint development agreements and exploration agreements, and the negotiation thereof, in confronting today's issues in the oil patch.

    Jeffery A. McCarn, Brown & Fortunato, P.C. - Amarillo, TX

  • 5:15 pm
    Adjourn

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Talmage Boston

Winstead PC
Dallas, TX

Luke J. Ellis

Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP
Austin, TX

Justin A. Hodge

Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP
Houston, TX

Terry E. Hogwood

Houston, TX

Russell S. Johnson

McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore
Austin, TX

Robert D. Jowers

Shannon Gracey Ratliff & Miller, LLP
Houston, TX

Kathleen E. Magruder

BP Energy Company
Houston, TX

Jeffery A. McCarn

Brown & Fortunato, P.C.
Amarillo, TX

D. Davin McGinnis

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

Mickey R. Olmstead

McElroy Sullivan Miller Weber & Olmstead, LLP
Austin, TX

Ernest E. Smith

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Rick G. Strange

Cotton, Bledsoe, Tighe & Dawson, PC
Midland, TX

Joseph G. Thompson III

Watt Beckworth Thompson Henneman & Sullivan LLP
Houston, TX

Thomas A. Zabel

Zabel Freeman
Houston, TX

Planning Committee

Douglas J. Dashiell—Director

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

Jonathan D. Baughman

McGinnis Lochridge & Kilgore LLP
Houston, TX

Timothy R. Brown

Anadarko Petroleum Corporation
The Woodlands, TX

William B. Burford

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

Monika Ehrman

CERES Resource Partners, L.P.
Dallas, TX

Ben Elmore

Watt Beckworth Thompson Henneman & Sullivan LLP
Houston, TX

Peter E. Hosey

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

Norma Rosner Iacovo

Tenaska Power Services Co.
Arlington, TX

Michael D. Jones

Jones Gill LLP
Houston, TX

Kathleen E. Magruder

BP Energy Company
Houston, TX

M.C. Cottingham Miles

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

David M. Patton

Locke Lord LLP
Houston, TX

J. Derrick Price

McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P.
Austin, TX

George A. Snell III

Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Amarillo, TX

Michelle M. Turner

The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Credit Info

  • Houston
  • Dallas
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 7.50 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 – 7.50 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.  
Toggle view Ohio – 6.50 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you 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 Ohio within 30 days after the conference. 
Toggle view Oklahoma – 9.00 hrs
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.
Toggle view Oklahoma – 1.00 hr
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
Toggle view Certified Professional Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 Registered Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 Registered Professional Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 – 9.00 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.
Toggle view TX Professional Engineer – Expected – 7.50 hrs
This course may qualify for self-reporting credits with PELS (TX Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors) - please use the link below to find information on how to track your credit with PELS. When you select this credit type, you will receive a downloadable Certificate of Attendance with date and course information for your records.

https://pels.texas.gov/pecep.htm
MCLE Credit
Toggle view Texas – 7.50 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 – 7.50 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.  
Toggle view Ohio – 6.50 hrs  |  1.00 hrs Ethics
You must claim and certify your credit online in Your Briefcase, you 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 Ohio within 30 days after the conference. 
Toggle view Oklahoma – 9.00 hrs
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.
Toggle view Oklahoma – 1.00 hr
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
Toggle view Certified Professional Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 Registered Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 Registered Professional Landman (AAPL) – 7.50 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 – 9.00 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.
Toggle view TX Professional Engineer – Expected – 7.50 hrs
This course may qualify for self-reporting credits with PELS (TX Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors) - please use the link below to find information on how to track your credit with PELS. When you select this credit type, you will receive a downloadable Certificate of Attendance with date and course information for your records.

https://pels.texas.gov/pecep.htm

Key Dates

Houston – Mar 22, 2013 – Omni Houston Galleria
Conference Concluded
Video Replay: Dallas – May 17, 2013 – Cityplace Conference Center
Conference Concluded
Buy
  • Houston
  • Dallas
Green Registration - USB Key ONLY
Last day for $300.00 Regular pricing: Mar 13, 2013

$350.00 for registrations received after this time

Standard Registration
Last day for $300.00 Regular pricing: Mar 13, 2013

$350.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): Mar 15, 2013

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Mar 18, 2013
Green Registration - USB Key ONLY
Last day for $250.00 Regular pricing: May 8, 2013

$300.00 for registrations received after this time

Standard Registration
Last day for $250.00 Regular pricing: May 8, 2013

$300.00 for registrations received after this time

Group 10% (5-9) (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $225.00 Regular pricing: May 8, 2013

$275.00 for registrations received after this time

Group 20% (10+) (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $200.00 Regular pricing: May 8, 2013

$200.00 for registrations received after this time

Last day for cancellation (full refund): May 10, 2013

$50 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: May 13, 2013

Venue

speaker

Omni Houston Galleria

4 Riverway
Houston, TX
713-871-8181 (reservations)
Map

Parking Information

Free daily self-parking in the Brown Lot. $17 Overnight self park. $16 Valet daily, $27 Valet overnight.

Nearby Hotel Accommodations
speaker

Hilton Houston Post Oak

2001 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX
(713) 961-9300 (reservations)
Map

Accommodations

$169.00 good through Mar 6, 2013

Parking Information

$10 daily and overnight self-parking

speaker

Cityplace Conference Center

2711 North Haskell Avenue
Dallas, TX
214.515.5100
Map

Our Sponsors

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

  • Jackson Walker L.L.P. logo
    Jackson Walker L.L.P.
    Jackson Walker has been a leader in energy law since the late 1800s. One of the firm's founding partners, A.W. Walker, Jr., was responsible for developing many of the fundamental concepts of modern oil and gas law. It is this experience that has led energy companies worldwide to select Jackson Walker as their legal counsel. We are able to provide high levels of service to our energy clients in a broad range of diverse areas such as bankruptcy, tax, regulatory, litigation, environmental, intellectual property, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and any number of other practice areas. Jackson Walker began by providing legal services to the energy industry and we remain committed to continuing and expanding upon that tradition. www.jw.com
  • Jones Gill LLP logo
    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. At Jones Gill, we pride ourselves on being the right size to maintain the responsiveness and attention our clients deserve and the sensitivity to costs they require, without sacrificing the experience and results they expect. www.jonesgill.com
  • Locke Lord LLP logo
    Locke Lord LLP
    www.lockelord.com
  • Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. logo
    Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P.
    Scott, Douglass & McConnico, L.L.P. is one of the top oil and gas, natural resources and energy litigation firms in the nation. For years, we have litigated issues involving the ownership, operation, exploration, production, regulation, processing, transportation and taxation of hydrocarbons and other natural resources. We represent royalty owners, producers, transporters, traders, refiners and governments. www.scottdoug.com
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