Job Description

Accountabilities: 

Serve as primary legal point of contact for all domestic offshore exploration and production matters
Negotiate and draft Joint Operating Agreements, Production Handling Agreements, Participation Agreements, Lease Exchange Agreements, Assignment Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Joint Bidding Agreements, and Areas of Mutual Interest
Oversee the legal aspects of complex business transactions, negotiations and questions that involve analysis and interpretation of complicated law and regulations as applied to specific facts
Advise company personnel regarding legal issues affecting potential company actions and interpret applicable statutes, regulations and case law in order to ensure company compliance with its legal obligations
Participate in operations meetings and advise management of legal and contractual risks associated with proposed offshore operations and activities
Provide strategic legal support for offshore exploration and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico, including acquisitions and divestitures, joint developments, subsea tie-backs, and gathering and processing arrangements
Develop strategic legal approach to Orders and Incidences of Non-Compliance received from the Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement and manage appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals
Work with Health, Safety, and Environmental Counsel to ensure compliance with applicable federal statutes and regulations and advise management on compliance status
Work with litigation counsel to coordinate dispute settlement, arbitration and litigation
Advise Gulf of Mexico Land organization on joint interest owner communications, including operation proposals, authorities for expenditure, confidentiality requirements and cost allocation to ensure compliance with applicable joint operating agreements

 Bachelor’s degree, and Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association

8 or more years as a licensed attorney
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
4 or more years of experience in the oil and gas industry
Experience supporting oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico
Extensive experience handling a wide variety of Gulf of Mexico exploration and production agreements, including Joint Operating Agreements, Production Handling Agreements, Participation Agreements, Lease Exchange Agreements, Assignment Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Joint Bidding Agreements, and Areas of Mutual Interest
Proactive approach to providing commercial-minded advice and guidance to a variety of departments  
Exceptional interpersonal skills and collaborative work style
Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines