KEYWORD:

Oil and Gas

The Oil and Gas industry has escalated its exploration and production in the waters in and around the Gulf South, and this increased activity has resulted in numerous challenges for employers, underwriters, contractors and employees. Whether advising an oil and gas operator, marine transportation company, offshore supply company, drilling contractor or a barge line, the Adams and Reese Oil and Gas Practice Team is strategically located along the Gulf South to provide legal services for exploration and production, as well as marine transportation, in the Gulf of Mexico and adjoining inland waterways.

Our clients

Our attorneys represent and counsel companies and their underwriters, who are exposed to risks ranging from traditional blue water shipping, personal injury, cargo, longshore and towage operations, to brown water oil and gas activities involving the exploration, development, production and transportation of oil and gas.
We represent clients before all courts, governmental regulatory bodies and tribunals, as well as in alternate dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.

• Barge lines
  
  
• Brokers and agents
  
  
• Commercial diving contractors
  
  
• Drilling contractors
  
  
• Gaming industry
  
  
• Insurance
  
  
• Oil and gas producers and operators (local, national and multi-national)
  
  
• Shipyards
  
  
• Service companies
  
  
• Underwriters (American and foreign)
  
  
• Vessel owners, operators and charterers

Representative matters

Our team practices pro-active before the claim measures as we help our clients avoid unnecessary and preventable claims by drafting and negotiating contracts that offer maximum protection under the law before claims have been asserted. Our commitment to preventative law extends beyond contracts to include the following programs:

• Accident prevention, reporting and investigation procedures
  
  
• Contractual allocation of risk programs
  
  
• Creative, cost-effective claims resolution
  
  
• Pollution response procedures
  
  
• Regular claims review meetings
  
  
• Risk management and insurance programs
  
  
• Safety, health and environmental compliance programs

Although our attorneys strive to help our clients avoid claims, claims will occasionally occur. We defend or assert your claims in the most cost-effective manner, whether it means prompt negotiation of settlement, alternative dispute resolution or aggressive litigation. Claims can involve every aspect of energy and maritime business, including:

• Cargo claims
  
  
• Charter parties
  
  
• Collisions/Allisions
  
  
• Drilling and construction
  
  
• Financing agreements
  
  
• Limitation of liability
  
  
• Marine and Energy Insurance
  
  
• Maritime liens
  
  
• Oil pollution
  
  
• Oil well lines
  
  
• Personal injury
  
  
• Property damage claims
  
  
• Salvage
  
  
• Stevedoring
  
  
• Tanker operations
  
  
• Towage
  
  
• Vessel mortgages

Representative experience

Our attorneys have experience in oil pollution; charter parties; oil well liens; cargo claims; salvage; limitation of liability; marine and energy insurance coverage issues; drafting and negotiating operating drilling, construction and financing agreements; longshoring; maritime liens; vessel mortgages; towage; general average; collisions; tankering and personal injury and property damage claims.

• Cruise line in issuance of $60.6 million of MARAD bonds
  
  
• Shipyard in the acquisition of a shipbuilding business
  
  
• Stevedores in negotiating terminal operating agreement for operations in the Republic of Colombia
  
  
• Tanker company in negotiation of $160 million construction project with the shipyard and issuance of $140 million of MARAD bonds