Oil & Gas

Comprehensive Transactional Services

Orrick’s oil and gas team, recognized by Chambers and Legal 500, combines sectoral and geographic knowledge across the entire value chain. Our services cover upstream (conventional and unconventional), midstream (including natural gas liquefaction and export (LNG), transportation, processing, and storage), downstream (including refining, petrochemicals, and retail), and oilfield services. Operating in major energy regions such as the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, we provide pragmatic, commercially driven advice to a diverse client base, including integrated oil and gas majors, national oil and gas companies, independent exploration and production companies, LNG, pipeline, processing and storage developers and operators, petrochemical companies, investment funds, and financial institutions.

Our transactional experience spans mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, asset swaps, financing, project development, construction, and commercial contracts. We also offer integrated advice on regulatory compliance, antitrust, securities, environmental matters, tax, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and employment law, ensuring seamless support across oil and gas operations.

As pioneers in oil and gas securitizations, we have established an entirely new asset class in the private 4(a)(2) securitization market. By converting revenue streams from oil and gas wellbore interests into tradable securities, we offer energy companies innovative financing solutions and investors access to stable cash flows. Our leadership in this evolving space is demonstrated by advising on the first rated securitization of oil and gas wellbore interests and the largest upstream energy securitization to date.

Forward-Looking Regulatory Guidance

Orrick’s regulatory team, recognized by Chambers and Legal 500, delivers market-leading experience in navigating complex regulatory landscapes for developers of LNG projects and natural gas pipeline and storage infrastructure in the United States. We provide comprehensive regulatory guidance and support to natural gas projects, particularly in seeking authorization for the siting, construction and operation of facilities in proceedings before FERC, DOE, and USDOT PHMSA. Our work has resulted in precedent-setting decisions on critical natural gas issues, solidifying our reputation as trusted advisors on regulatory matters.

Litigation, Arbitration, and Dispute Resolution

Orrick represents clients in the oil and gas sector on complex disputes, ranging from contract issues in joint operating agreements and production sharing contracts to royalty disputes, title challenges, and environmental compliance. We handle litigation in state and federal courts, commercial arbitration under ICC, LCIA, and AAA rules, investment treaty claims against states and claims arising from unforeseen events like natural disasters or geopolitical disruptions.

In addition, our team addresses infrastructure disputes involving the construction and operation of pipelines, processing facilities, and LNG terminals. We offer strategic counsel on structuring deals to incorporate robust protections and effective dispute resolution mechanisms. By combining deep industry insight with a tailored approach to dispute resolution, Orrick delivers effective advocacy and practical solutions to meet the unique challenges of oil and gas clients worldwide.