Oil & Gas Law

Dedicated Louisiana oil and gas attorneys

At Downer, Jones, Marino & Wilhite, L.L.C., our attorneys have substantial experience in helping clients involved in virtually every aspect of mineral exploration, production marketing and transportation. Whether it be leasing, title or other development and production issues, mineral property acquisitions and sales or litigation, our firm’s lawyers have an understanding and proven track record of effectively assisting clients with the complicated and ever changing legal challenges of the oil and gas business. Over the years, we have developed a comprehensive extensive energy practice which includes, but is not limited to:

• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Federal, State and Local Regulatory Compliance
• Processing Agreements
• Royalty Payments
• Working Interest Payments
• Contamination Claims
• Pipeline Construction, Acquisition and Associated Transactions

Transactional Practice

Our firm is well versed in the relevant issues and difficulties involved with the acquisition and transfer of oil, gas and other mineral rights, whether those rights involve property owner or inter company transfers and acquisitions. Our firm has successfully assisted clients in the leasing, lease interpretation and administration and the purchase and sale of oil, gas and other mineral interests affecting literally thousands of acres and hundreds of millions of dollars in mineral assets, including single sales of mineral assets involving purchase prices in excess of $192,000,000.00 and $281,000,000.00. We are a full service transactional firm and provide due diligence, preparation of the Purchase and Sale Agreements and any accessory transaction services necessary to form acquisition entities and complete the transaction. We also provide post-acquisition services including, but not limited to, examining title, preparing drill-site and division order title opinions, preparation of salt water disposal agreements, preparation of operating agreements. and other agreements utilized in the operation of mineral producing properties. Our firm is proficient in this industry and has successfully represented clients in a variety of related matters, including:

• Transfer of Operations
• Assistance With Financing
• Negotiation, Structure and Agreements
• Recordation
• Employee Issues
• Post Transaction Contract
• Interpretation and Enforcement

Pipeline Practice

Whether you need assistance in the acquisition of surface rights, the sale of assets, a dispute involving the placement of a pipeline, or demands concerning claims of contamination, let our firm provide the legal services you need to guide you through the issues you are facing. We have experience representing clients on the proper course of action in each of these areas.

Litigation Practice

Our firm has successfully represented clients involving disputes in a multitude of areas related to oil and gas matters, including, but not limited to, lease right disputes, surface use rights disputes, usufruct and servitude disputes, operational and contractor damage disputes, royalty, working interest and other payment disputes, environmental damage disputes, tax assessment challenges and regulatory penalty challenges. We are well versed in handling complex commercial litigation in both State and Federal Courts. Our firm has a comprehensive practice involving the Oil & Gas industry. Our experience enables us to apply our unique and developed practice knowledge to varied litigation matters encountered by our clients. We understand the issues being litigated and can use that understanding to help you achieve a successful resolution-whether through settlement or through Court decision.