The presentation will cover recent jurisprudential decisions, a legislative update and other materials related to Louisiana mineral law.

A retrospective look at the Louisiana Mineral Code and a look forward to anticipate what's coming next.

Mr. Ives will provide an overview of Louisiana State University’s Institute for Energy Innovation and its outreach and research activities.  He also will review developments in Louisiana across a number of less carbon intensive energy sectors.

Selected cases and analysis on Ethical implications presented by the chief disciplinary counsel.

A discussion of professional conduct and responsibility relating to knowledge and skill faithfully employed in the service of clients and the public good

Paul and his co-presenter, bankruptcy expert Amelia Hurt of Kelly Hart Pitre, explore the unique challenges and issues that arise when representing oil & gas clients facing financial difficulties -- including as they progress from financial difficulty, to distress, to insolvency.

This presentation will discuss the current state of Louisiana law regarding when and how a pipeline servitude may terminate, whether such termination gives rise to additional obligations, and finally what is meant by an “exclusive servitude.”

In this report, forecasts will be presented for the Louisiana economy, its nine MSAs, and the rural section of
Louisiana. The forecasts are repeatedly referred to as “middling,” a term suggesting, “Here is our best shot, but there is a very wide variance in what might actually happen.”

Two major uncertainties cloud our view of the future. The largest is the presidential election. Louisiana is still a very fossil-fuel oriented state. One candidate is very anti-fossil fuels, and the other is very pro. There is a huge gap in
their positions. Second, is the national economy in a recession or will the Fed be able to manage a “soft landing” in its fight against inflation?

Regarding the presidential election, forecasts are presented with the understanding that actual employment will vary significantly around our point forecasts depending on who is elected. This is especially so for all of Louisiana
along and below I-10 and the Shreveport-Bossier MSA. It is further assumed the Fed will manage a soft landing, or if a recession occurs, it will be short and shallow.

It is assumed that oil prices---mainly through OPEC management---will hoover in the $80-$82 a barrel range, and that natural gas prices will rise from unusually low levels in 2024 to about $3.10 per mmBTU in 2026 due to increased demand from LNG exporters. The price gap between U.S. natural gas and prices in Asia and Europe will continue to spur a major industrial boom in south Louisiana.
With these assumptions in mind, we forecast each area of the state.

Offshore companies are increasingly receiving decommissioning orders to abandon wells that they had long ago transferred to other parties.  This presentation explores the relevance of the JOA, which governed the development of the lease, in providing the framework for companies that have accrued the same decommissioning obligation under the lease to cooperatively respond to decommissioning orders.

For the past 30 years or so I have written about issues relating to sub-state unit regulation of the extractive industries, in general, and oil and gas exploration and production activities specifically.   By sub-state unit, I intend to aggregate governmental entities such as counties, parishes, municipalities, towns, townships and boroughs, many of which exercise general police power to regulate for the protection and/or enhancement of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare. Indirect sub-state regulation of the extractive industries dates to the first decade of the 20th century.   People tend to also forget that while state administrative agencies were regulating oil and gas and mining operations, it was sub-state units in Kansas, among other places, that adopted statutory pooling ordinances to prevent over-drilling within urban areas.   After a multi-decade period of quiescence relating to sub-state regulation of oil and gas operations, such regulation re-appeared with the application of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies to various shale formations throughout the United States.

This presentation will provide an overview of the current laws and regulations governing orphaned wells in Louisiana, including recent legislative changes. Additional insights on where the State’s orphaned well program and related initiatives are headed will also be outlined with a particular focus on how the ongoing reorganization of Louisiana’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources will impact orphaned well site restoration and regulation.

Carbon capture and storage projects raise numerous commercial issues that are highly dependent on law.  What permits and authorizations are necessary, what are the requirements for obtaining those permits and authorizations, and which regulatory agencies are involved?  If a project developer obtains a permit required by the State, can a local government block the project?  How much risk is there that changes in federal policy from one administration to another will hinder CCS projects?  Might changes in state law interfere with commercial development?

Brittanie and Mary Catherine will take a look at some of the title problems plaguing title attorneys and landmen, alike, as drilling rigs move closer to town. They will share their alleged practical approach to frequently seen issues found in title examination relative to (1) roads, including an analysis of road dedications, La. Rev. Stat. 9:2971, La. Rev. Stat. 33:5051, and the problems created by current gaps in the governing laws, (2) tax sale title issues, and (3) determining who has the authority to grant a lease in special situations related to usufructs, community property, business entities, and successions.

This presentation provides an introduction and high-level overview of the leasing of mineral resources on the OCS and the accompanying regulatory regime. Part I traces the history of OCS development, with a particular emphasis on the federal government’s interest in offshore minerals and how those interests came into existence. Part II discusses the major pieces of legislation governing oil and gas activities on the OCS. Part III explores the role of Interior as “landlord” of the OCS and tracks its administration of oil and gas activities thereon. Finally, Part IV discusses the body of ancillary laws and rules that govern OCS activities, as well as the agencies and bureaus that enforce them.