The largest part of Ted’s practice consists of drafting and negotiating exploration and development agreements, as used in the onshore domestic oil and gas exploration industry, the offshore industry, and the international oil and gas industry. Because of the nature of the industry, it is difficult to characterize all types of agreements.

Texas is the nation’s largest producer of alternative energy, principally from two sources: wind power and solar power.  Given that, it is not surprising that the legal framework for these two energy sources, at least as far as the exploitation of them, derives principally from Texas oil and gas law.

Many companies build reserves through the process of acquisitions of existing reserves or producing properties. Likewise, companies may determine that the continued ownership of properties in an area no longer comports with the company’s business plans.

Fundamentally, none of the agreements used in exploration and production are useful unless the ownership of the underlying oil and gas properties can be established to a reasonable certainty.

The oil and gas industry requires large amounts of capital, and the industry has historically relied upon investors and financial institutions to supply that capital.

While it true that the international industry has its roots in the domestic industry, there are agreements and documents which bear only a passing resemblance to their domestic antecedents. As time has gone by and national oil companies and oil ministries have become increasingly sophisticated, those agreements have become increasingly complex.

Ted has advised Estate and Elder Care attorneys in mineral, royalty, energy producing and oil and gas properties.

Many transactions, before the parties can negotiate definitive terms, require that one or more parties be willing to disclose sensitive data.

The legal profession, like many others, has become increasingly specialized, and no single lawyer can offer expertise in all the legal issues which must be faced by a client.