future-focused

In a heavily regulated environment, where challenges can come from any direction, you want lawyers who can see around corners and know the rules and regulations A to Z.

Overview

Operating in a robust regulatory landscape means being prepared. As lawyers who work within the federal regime every day and have decades of experience, we are the constant source of knowledge for our clients. We advise offshore oil and gas operators and lease holders on existing and new legislation, regulations, and enforcement efforts.  We are prepared to guide and assist when agency actions adversely affect your operations or when third parties such as environmental groups or coastal states challenge your activities.

Because of our broad knowledge of the complex regulatory landscape offshore as well as the constantly evolving legislative and regulatory changes in this area, we are able to provide legal and practical guidance that allows you to make sound business decisions. In addition to day-to-day regulatory advice and filings, we handle administrative appeals and litigation in federal court to reverse agency orders and decisions that adversely affect federal offshore development and operations.

We work on a regular basis interpreting and advising clients on the many complex statutes that apply offshore including the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Oil Pollution Act, Clean Water Act, and National Environmental Policy Act.

The full package of operational and regulatory solutions

Because of our historical presence in the Gulf of Mexico, we have vast experience across the firm in the laws governing federal offshore operations. And because our lawyers are dedicated to working in this space full-time, we are in a unique position to advise you on vital horizon issues.

Our clients come to us for everything from their everyday operational concerns to regulatory enforcement orders to crisis management. Whether explaining the current status of federal offshore leasing, assisting in acquiring (and protecting) permits and approvals, or obtaining and maintaining the necessary legal qualification, bonding, and other financial assurance required to do business on the OCS, Liskow lawyers are working side-by-side with our clients on their most pressing matters. We also have extensive capabilities in helping clients negotiate and interpret joint operating agreements, production handling agreements, and other contracts related to energy development and production offshore. Our team includes lawyers dedicated to niche areas such as offshore contractual indemnities, which means that you can count on us to understand the complex legal issues involved in these areas.

We also help clients with end-of-lease issues such as responding to decommissioning orders and negotiating agreements and litigating or arbitrating disputes related to responsibility and payment for same.

Liskow is at the national forefront of federal regulatory issues

With the Gulf Coast’s industrial sector comprising a significant percentage of U.S. total CO2 emissions, there is a tremendous opportunity for the OCS to play a significant role in helping the U.S. achieve its carbon reduction goals. As a result, we are actively monitoring the emerging area of federal offshore carbon storage, including the regulatory and infrastructure developments required to transport emissions to existing OCS infrastructure for permanent storage via injection into saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs. We are also actively involved in assisting clients with regulatory aspects of federal offshore wind energy projects.

Our Team