North America - United States • Energy
Bracewell LLP
Bracewell LLP‘s Washington DC-based team serves clients across the midstream space in regulatory, transactional, and enforcement matters involving oil, gas, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen pipelines. The team is particularly renowned for its representation of clients before the FERC, DOE, CFTC, PHMSA, and other state and federal energy regulatory agencies. Department head Mark Lewis routinely advises clients who own, operate, develop, and invest in oil and gas pipeline infrastructure and related infrastructure, including LNG storage facilities. Kirk Morgan advises clients on new infrastructure projects such as greenfield pipelines and expansion projects, among others, while Michael Brooks specializes in representing clients in investigations brought by regulatory bodies such as the CFTC and FERC. George Fatula has significant experience handling FERC proceedings, including rate cases, and Annie Cook is noted for her experience in pipeline safety matters. Eugene Elrod joined the firm from Latham & Watkins LLP in November 2023.
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Key clients
- Kinder Morgan, Inc.
- Tallgrass Energy Partners
- Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
- Phillips 66 Pipeline
- Targa Resources
- TC Energy
- Williams Companies
- NuStar Energy
- Enbridge Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented Trailblazer and REX in connection with a project that will involve Trailblazer converting a large portion of its system from natural gas service to carbon dioxide service.
- Advised midstream services providers Enterprise Products, Targa Resources and TC Energy on their opposition to a FERC-proposed policy statement issued in December 2022 about imposing new onerous requirements on oil pipelines signing contracts with affiliates.
- Advised Vanguard on the development, construction and operation of several renewable natural gas projects as it relates to pipeline safety jurisdiction and regulations.
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Bracewell LLP
Mark Lewis, managing partner of the firm’s Washington, DC office, focuses his practice on oil and gas pipeline and related midstream, regulatory and transactional matters. His clients include oil and gas pipeline developers, owners, operators and investors; oil and gas producers and marketers; gas distributors; and large industrial energy consumers. He handles US and international oil and gas pipeline development projects with respect to project structuring, contracting and governmental approvals. He represents regulated pipelines, pipeline ownership interests regarding pipeline management issues, clients in transactions involving the acquisition of pipeline companies and pipeline assets, and developers of pipelines and other oil, gas and CO2 infrastructure. In his practice, Mark provides legal counsel in contract negotiations involving operating, transportation, and purchase and sale agreements. He also advises clients regarding regulatory aspects of project development, contract, tariff, rate and compliance matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and various state regulatory agencies.
Bracewell LLP
Kirk Morgan's practice focuses on complex energy issues, but clients can count on him to make things understandable and be commercially minded. Kirk provides strategic advice to oil and gas pipelines and project developers with respect to jurisdictional issues, rate options, capacity allocation methodologies, regulated practices, and business opportunities. He is regularly called upon by pipeline clients and developers regarding new infrastructure projects, including greenfield pipelines and expansion projects. This requires him to lead clients through the process of preparing open season materials, negotiating and drafting precedent and transportation agreements, and preparing tariffs. Kirk also works closely with clients to obtain regulatory approvals required for new pipeline infrastructure.
Bracewell LLP
Michael Brooks focuses his practice in the areas of energy, commodities and derivatives law. He represents energy companies and commodity trading companies in a wide variety of commercial, regulatory, compliance and enforcement matters and routinely advises clients regarding federal rules and regulations governing the trading, ownership, transportation and transmission of energy commodities. His counsel includes advising clients regarding emerging technologies and related privacy, cybersecurity, commercial and regulatory issues.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Mark Lewis