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Energy Law News

02 Nov 2022

Report: Germany Could Seize Property to Speed LNG Build-out

Credit:Karel/AdobeStock

Germany, racing to end its reliance on Russian gas, plans to introduce new regulation that will make it possible to expropriate property to link offshore liquid natural gas terminals to the grid, Handeslblatt reported. The new law could make it possible to use parts of Gazprom's defunct Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, to link a terminal to the shore.The newspaper said a draft law due to be agreed by the government on Wednesday would make it possible to expropriate "movable objects" when necessary "to build natural gas pipelines or linked infrastructure".Until earlier this year…

18 Jan 2022

Russia Urges Germany and EU Not to Delay Nord Stream 2

Credit: Nord Stream 2

Russia on Monday urged Germany and the European Union not to drag its feet over certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which has become a focal point in political disputes between Moscow and the West.The pipeline to Germany would double Russian gas export capability under the Baltic Sea to 110 billion cubic meters per year, circumventing Ukraine.The project, lead by Russia's Gazprom, has been a geopolitical irritant to the United States and countries including Ukraine and Poland since before construction was completed in September, with regulatory clearance expected no earlier than t

19 Nov 2021

Legal Background Behind New Nord Stream 2 License Demand

On September 10, 2021, the sections of the second Nord Stream 2 pipeline laid from the German shore and Danish waters was connected in a so-called above water tie-in. The opposing pipe strings were lifted from the seabed by the lay barge Fortuna and the pipe ends were cut and fitted together. The welding to connect the two lines took place on a platform located above the water on the side of the vessel. Then the connected pipeline was lowered to the seabed as one continuous string.©NordStream2

Germany's energy regulator has temporarily halted the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, requiring the Swiss-based, Gazprom-led consortium behind the infrastructure to form a German subsidiary to secure a licence.Following are some of the legal considerations associated with the move by Germany's Federal Network Agency, which aims to strengthen its oversight of the project in Germany.The list is partly based on information provided by specialist energy law firm Rosin Buedenbender in Essen…

26 Dec 2019

Five Common Mistakes in Maritime Contracts

Copyright: byemo/AdobeStock

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” – Henry de Bracton, DeLegibus, ~1240Often clients or prospective clients come to me with a commercial contract issue perched on the precipice of full-blown litigation or arbitration. When I ask to see the contract, often times I see errors in drafting that either (1) give rise to the problem before me or (2) could create a bigger problem for the client in the future.The risk of drafting error is higher for Europeans looking to contract with American companies.

14 Jun 2014

Ohio Governor Freezes State's Clean Energy Law

Ohio Governor John Kasich on Friday signed legislation to freeze a six-year old law that required utilities to sell increasing amounts of green energy, making the state the first in the country to roll back a clean energy mandate. Kasich, a Republican mentioned as a possible contender for the 2016 presidential race, signed Senate Bill 310, which passed in the state's legislature with strong support from some of Ohio's biggest industrial power users, such as Alcoa, and the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. A number of other companies with operations in the state, including Honda Motor, Honeywell and Whirlpool , opposed the freeze, and have said it will risk new jobs in the state. The original 2008 Ohio law called on utilities to sell more green power each year.

08 Jun 2014

Draft Mexican Energy Law For Higher Local Content Level

Mexican Lawmakers aim to set higher than first Planned Minimum requirements for Materials, How much local labor and companies investing in the Oil and Gas Industry must use, According to a Revised Draft of pending Legislation. Mexico 's Congress is in the Process of Approving so-called secondary laws to Implement the Government's December 2013 Energy reform, which the Forms of President Enrique Pena Nieto Cornerstone's Economic Growth Strategy to boost flagging. The laws, which Establish the Fine Print of the reform Ending the Oil and Gas Monopoly Granted to State Oil giant Pemex in 1938, are being Closely watched by Oil Majors Such as BP Plc and Exxon Mobil Corp..

02 Aug 2013

Houston Law Firm Joined by Eight Attorneys

The addition of all 8 attorneys from Bell, Ryniker & Letourneau 
strengthens Houston presence for largest U.S. maritime legal practice Blank Rome LLP. This group of attorneys and additional professional staff bring significant experience in maritime and energy law, in addition to the areas of insurance, transportation, government contracts and construction. Michael K. Bell, Keith B. Letourneau, and Douglas J. Shoemaker join as partners; Robert J. Ryniker, and James C. Arnold join as of counsels; and Mitchell R. Machann, Tracy Freeman, and David G. Meyer join as associates. “We are delighted to welcome Michael, Keith, Douglas and all of our new colleagues to our Houston office and to the Blank Rome team,” said Alan J. Hoffman, Co-Chairman and Managing Partner.

30 Mar 2011

Rev. Rice Joins SCI as Gulf of Mexico Chaplain

Photo courtesy SCI

Beginning April 1, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomes a new chaplain dedicated to serving mariners and other workers in the offshore exploration and production industry. The Rev. Winston Rice, a former offshore worker and maritime lawyer, joins two current chaplains for SCI’s Ministry on the River, the nation’s only full-time pastoral care ministry on the Ohio and Lower Mississippi River systems, extending the Institute’s inland ministry efforts into the Gulf of Mexico. SCI’s new chaplain understands the challenges faced by offshore mariners and workers.

18 Mar 2009

StatoilHydro, Embassy Photo Exhibition

Photo: Dag Myrestrand

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon Magnus, opened StatoilHydro's and the Norwegian Embassy in Mexico’s 120-photo exhibition, Norway Powered by Nature, on Monday 16 March. The exhibition, which lines the outside of Chapultepec Park and the Reform Avenue in Mexico City, shows Norway through the four seasonal changes with a special emphasis on the oil and gas industry. The photo exhibition will be open to the public for one month, and all photo text is presented in both English and Spanish.

23 Aug 2005

US Explores Future Offshore Drilling Plans

The U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, according to a Reuters report. However, Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she would uphold a White House promise and not offer any federal leases through 2012 within 100 miles of Florida's coast. The new U.S. areas of the Outer Continental Shelf. tourism industries. the government develops its 2007-2012 leasing plan. five-year leasing program expires on June 30, 2007. Public comments are due by Oct. 11 . four states -- Alaska, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. federal offshore waters. leases. according to government estimates.