Conner & Winters’ energy team has extensive experience in energy business transactions.  The capacities of the lawyers in this section, in conjunction with attorneys in our corporate and securities practice group, embrace corporate mergers, reorganizations, purchases and sales of corporate stock and tender offers, as well as preparation of contracts, conveyances, leases and other documents pertaining to oil and gas matters.

Mergers and Acquisitions

We routinely advise clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions in the energy sector. Whether it’s an acquisition or disposition, our energy lawyers have the experience to guide the transaction to completion while protecting our client’s interests. Conner & Winters has built a reputation on providing strategic advice while taking a constructive, business-like approach driven by the unique dynamics of each transaction.  We have advised clients on acquisitions and dispositions in all aspect of the energy business including:

• Leasehold, wellbore, oil, gas and mineral interests
• Pipelines and transmission systems
• Storage facilities
• Trucking and other transportation related assets
• Refineries
• Service companies
• Retail gas stations
• Equity interests in joint ventures

Joint Ventures

Due to extraordinary capital costs and other commercial risks, participants in the energy industry often choose joint venture structures to achieve economies of scale, allocate risk and access market opportunities that would have to forgone if pursued alone.  These transactions often involve complicated limited liability company or other organizational documents that can present traps for the unwary.  Conner & Winters routinely represents joint venture participants in both the upstream and midstream sectors and has the experience necessary to help its clients avoid such traps.

Private Equity Funding

Conner & Winters has extensive experience representing management teams in securing private equity funding.  Such transactions are often very complicated and require expertise in tax, partnership accounting and other areas.  Our firm has built a reputation on protecting the rights of management teams as they structure their new relationships with their sponsors.

Drop Downs to Master Limited Partnerships

Conner & Winters has represented a number of clients in connection with “drop down” transactions from public sponsors to publicly traded master limited partnerships.  These transactions involve conflict committees of the boards of the master limited partnerships and require clients to navigate the slippery slope of related party transactions.  Our energy lawyers have experience representing both sponsors and conflict committees and routinely help such clients successfully navigate through the complicated process to closing.

Banking and Finance Related Transactions

Our energy practice group routinely works with our banking and finance and corporate and securities practice groups to assist our energy clients with banking and finance related needs.  When energy companies seek financing, unique industry specific issues will arise.  Whether such financing involves debt or equity, our lawyers have the experience to guide clients through the complicated issues and to a successful closing.

Other Transactions

Clients also look to our energy team transactional attorneys for skilled legal representation in:

• Drilling project limited partnerships
• Formation of limited partnerships for drilling income program purposes
• Natural gas and crude oil transportation, storage and sales agreements
• Power purchase agreements
• Operating agreements
• Master service agreements
• Farm-outs and farm-ins
• Participation and development agreements
• Title issues
• Due diligence reviews of wind power projects for lenders
• Dealing with tribal governments and federal agencies for energy projects in Indian Country
• Emissions trading contracts in Europe

In addition to transactions that relate to typical energy sources, Conner & Winters has experience in business matters relating to the “new” and alternative energy sources, including nuclear and wind power.  We provide the legal acumen critical to players in today’s energy business.

Our corporate and securities practice area page includes additional information.