New Committee Created for Young Energy Professionals!

The Institute for Energy Law (IEL) values the involvement of its younger members and wants to encourage more to join and participate. The IEL recently created the Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Committee, which has a seat on IEL's Executive Committee. Jennifer Hardin, Sr. Counsel - E&P International with ConocoPhillips is the YEP Committee Chair and David Sweeney with Bracewell & Giuliani, is Vice Chair. "Young" energy professionals are attorneys, landmen, engineers and other industry participants who are under the age of 40.

The YEP Committee is currently planning programs and events and would appreciate your input. Activities being considered are happy hours, sporting events, wine-tastings, dinners and a mentoring program. We're also looking to co-host events with other area organizations.

If you're interested in becoming involved with the YEP Committee and IEL, please contact Jennifer or David.

If you are not already a a member of IEL, join today!

	Committee Chair: Jennifer Hardin jennifer.d.hardin@conocophillips.com (281) 293-5276
	Committee Vice Chair: David Sweeney david.sweeney@bgllp.com (713) 221-1288

IEL's Young Energy Professionals and AIPN Young Negotiators Breakfast Presentation
"Top 10 Due Diligence Issues - Domestic and International"

Thursday, May 6, 2010
Houston Office of Bracewell & Giuliani

The “Top Ten Due Diligence Issues – Domestic and International” breakfast presentation held May 6 featured Gary Cliffford, Land Director of Eni Petroleum, and Mike Darden of Latham & Watkins LLP. Clifford addressed key information parties must have prior to entering into negotiation with potential partners. Darden then highlighted five areas of research that can help companies mitigate certain risks and preserve the sanctity of a contract. Co-hosted by the IEL Young Energy Professionals and attended by roughly 40 young professionals, the event was part of a series of educational workshops designed to help young professionals gain essential tools and insight required to lead domestic and international petroleum negotiations.

61st Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference
Wine Tasting Reception
February 18-19, 2010
Hilton Post Oak - Houston, Texas

IEL’s Young Energy Professionals Committee (YEP) hosted a successful wine tasting event at the 61st Annual Oil & Gas Law Conference on February 19, 2010 at the Hilton Post Oak in Houston. The promise of wine and great conversation kept around 40 conference-goers after the conference on Friday afternoon.

The event began with a tasting presentation by three sommeliers - Manuel Cuevas, John Yeager and Ashley Bobbett - and was followed by a blind wine tasting. We tasted six wines, two each from three varietals: Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot/Bordeaux. Attendees used a voting card to guess the wine’s varietal and geographic origin (whether “old” or “new” world). A prize was awarded to the taster who got all the correct answers—congratulations to Andrew Torrant of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.; he will receive a free bottle of wine!

We also announced a winner from last year’s contest. At the 2009 tasting, we asked attendees to guess what the price of oil per barrel would be the day of the 2010 YEP wine tasting. Kathy Silver of Jackson Walker L.L.P. was the successful soothsayer. She will be receiving a bottle of wine.

Best of luck to all who registered predictions for a February 2011 price; we’ll announce the winner at next year’s Annual Conference YEP Event. (FYI – it seems the YEPs are a bullish group; the average of the predictions submitted is $86/bbl.)

The YEP Committee gratefully acknowledges our event sponsor: Greenburg Traurig LLP.

Click here for event photos!

Institute for Energy Law's Young Energy Professionals (IEL YEP) General Counsel Forum and Holiday Party (December 2009)

In December, IEL's Young Energy Professionals (YEP) Committee hosted another wildly successful event, the General Counsel Forum and Holiday Party. The Forum, held at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston, featured distinguished energy company general counsel who provided career development advice to young energy professionals.

General Counsel in attendance included:

Attendance at the event was limited to 60 people. The evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by a general counsel panel discussion, moderated by Steven Otillar of Baker & McKenzie, during which the general counsel shared mistakes, learnings and tips to becoming a successful energy professional (either as in-house or outside counsel). Each general counsel then joined a small group of young energy professionals at an individual table for a more intimate discussion over dinner. Attendees were rewarded with useful advice, an entertaining evening and direct access to some of the most powerful and prestigious members of our industry.

The YEP Committee gratefully acknowledges our event sponsors: