Andrews Kurth’s decades of work with energy industry clients gives us the experience to try, settle, arbitrate or mediate controversies to the right conclusion in any forum, efficiently and cost-effectively. We regularly represent many of the major oil and gas, energy and power companies as well as independents, pipeline, oilfield service and drilling companies in high-profile cases.

Handling industry disputes around the world

Andrews Kurth trial lawyers use our extensive industry knowledge to handle the entire spectrum of energy-related arbitrations and trials in state and federal courts and international forums. We also routinely represent clients in hearings, investigations and contested actions before state and federal regulatory agencies, such as the:

• Railroad Commission of Texas
• Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC)
• Texas Public Utility Commission
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• U.S. Department of Interior (DOI)

Litigating the full range of operating disputes

We represent our clients in virtually any dispute that arises during the normal course of energy industry operations, including those that involve:

• Breach of contract/business torts
• Damage to drilling or production facilities
• Down hole failures
• Geological and reservoir problems
• Explosions, fires, or other issues in personal injury or wrongful death cases
• Joint venture or joint operating disputes
• Labor and employment claims
• Patent infringement claims
• Pipeline failures
• Oil and gas lease disputes
• Producer and royalty owner disputes
• Severance tax litigation
• Title disputes
• Toxic torts
• Personal injury and product liability claims

Resolving regulatory controversies

Our lawyers are vigorous advocates for energy clients in the full range of agency rulemaking and litigation proceedings from the state courts to the U.S. Supreme Court. We represent our clients in regulatory disputes involving:

• Rate making proceedings
• Planning and implementation of new pipeline construction
• Pipeline "restructuring" proceedings
• Market power assessments
• Tariff proceedings
• Environmental permitting and compliance
• Upstream and downstream environmental litigation.

Using our full litigation resources

The business environment for energy companies worldwide is among the most contentious of any industry. Andrews Kurth lawyers have the experience to handle both the smallest claims and the “bet the company” claims in any energy litigation.

Our trial and administrative lawyers know when it is best to litigate and when to pursue negotiation or dispute resolution to settle the issue. We understand the business and the legal issues at risk, and give our energy clients straight talk on the course of action that will best advance and protect their interests.