Here’s an example of how John takes a comprehensive view:

• An operator needed assistance reviewing a master service agreement to hire a service contractor.  After discussing the client’s business needs and risk tolerance, John was able to update the form to better address the client’s needs while revising several provisions that were either out of date given the current state of the law, allocated an unnecessarily significant amount of risk to the client, or were simply out of line with current market conditions.  Following a discussion of the changes, the client asked John to handle the subsequent negotiation. 
• An operator had been presented with an IADC drilling contract form – a common document in the oilfield, but one that allocates far more risk to the operator than most realize – and was under significant time pressure to get the contract executed.  John highlighted the critical issues, advised the client on areas where they could mitigate their risk through their own efforts, and together they cut down the list of desired changes to a very specific few.  The needed changes were secured quickly and the client was able to drill their well without delay.

John also advises clients with respect to indemnity arrangements in areas outside of oilfield service contracts, from downstream oil and gas contexts to construction contracts, and even real estate deals, including the impact of relevant state law on those agreements.