5th Oilfield Services Law Conference

Overview

Conference Co-Chairs

David Baay
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Houston, Texas

J. Kevin Blodgett
Senior Vice President & General Counsel
Rockwater Energy Solutions, Inc.
Houston, Texas

Download the Brochure (pdf)

For more details, download the online brochure.

Tuition

Registration includes one day Conference, all meals, Networking Reception and the course material provided online, which may be printed or saved by customer. It does not include printed binder of program material.

Regular Registration Fee

• $495 - Regular registration fee
• $395 - IEL Advisory Board Member
• $395 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee
• $395 - CAIL Member or Member Employee
• $395 - Government Employee
• $125 - Law Student / Full-time Professors
• $125 - Materials Only (Not attending)
• $75 - Printed Binder (In addition to registration fee)

Schedule and Faculty

7:45 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:25 am

Welcome and Introduction to the Conference

Conference Co-Chairs

• David Baay, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Houston, Texas
• J. Kevin Blodgett, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Rockwater Energy Solutions, Inc., Houston, Texas

8:30 am

M&A and Valuations Update: The Impact of Declining Commodity Prices on M&A Activity, and How to Leverage Distressed Opportunities

The recent cyclical downturn has significantly reduced M&A activity in the oilfield services space. In this presentation, the speakers will review recent commodity price activity and discuss possible outlooks for the timing and shape of the recovery. The speakers will also review recent M&A transactions and the prospects for a future pickup in activity, as well as how leverage, shareholder relations and other issues might affect how you and your Board should address transactions in the current environment.

• W. Matthew Strock, Vinson & Elkins LLP, Houston, Texas
• Sean D. Rice, Goldman Sachs, Houston, Texas

9:30 am

International Focus: Iran

An overview of the current landscape for oil and gas production in Iran from the U.S. sanctions perspective, including a discussion of key legal and commercial issues. Our speakers will touch on the important issues affecting operators and service companies in this critical global market.

• Jane Y. Cohen, King & Spalding, Washington, D.C.
• Philip Innes, EY, Houston, Texas

10:15 am

Break

10:30 am

Litigation Update: Recent Cases Affecting Oilfield Services Companies, and Cases to Watch Going Forward

This presentation will address key cases affecting oilfield services companies in the current operating environment, including an update on the Ranger Insurance case and its impact on indemnification and insurance provisions of oilfield service agreements, as well as contract dispute trends precipitated by the commodity price downturn. Our panel of in-house and outside experts will review the practical issues facing legal departments in the wake of these recent cases and decisions.

• David W. Jones, Beck Redden LLP, Houston, Texas
• Stephany Olsen LeGrand, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Houston, Texas
• Josh M. McMorrow, General Counsel – North America and Global Litigation, Weatherford International, Houston, Texas

12:00 pm

Hosted Luncheon

Keynote Speaker

Energy Today: How It’s Shaping the U.S. Economy

• Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Dallas, Texas

1:30 pm

Break

1:40 pm

Recent Developments in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Compliance

FCPA compliance remains at the top of most international oilfield services companies’ “to do” lists. Recent developments in Brazil’s “Operation Car Wash” involving alleged kickbacks to Petrobras officials, among others, as well as settlement precedents have emphasized the continued regulatory focus on implementing best practices in the compliance realm. Our panel of former U.S. and Assistant U.S. Attorneys will review these developments and discuss the key practices you should be adopting now to ensure compliance.

Moderator

• Lawrence (Larry) D. Finder, Baker McKenzie LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists

• Ryan McConnell, McConnell Sovany LLP, Houston, Texas
• David Searle, Chief Compliance Officer and Associate General Counsel, Bristow Group Inc., Houston, Texas

2:40 pm

Hydraulic Fracturing: State and Local Activity in the Oil Patch

While federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing has largely focused on government and tribal land operations, state and local activity remains on the upswing. From local fracking bans to state legislative responses, not to mention a new focus on saltwater disposal wells and water recycling, Texas has become a hotbed of activity in this regard. This discussion will focus on what you need to know about current legislative priorities and their potential impact on oilfield services operations.

• James Grace, Jr., Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Houston, Texas
• Caleb Troxclair, Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel, Office of Chairman David Porter, Railroad Commission of Texas, Austin, Texas

3:40 pm

Break

3:55 pm

Intellectual Property Trends in Oilfield Services: Navigating the Squeeze Play Between Customers and Suppliers

Increasingly, oilfield service companies are contracting with counterparties who are often simultaneously both customers and suppliers. Protecting your intellectual property in this environment can be extremely difficult and strategically important to your company. This session will discuss key developments in this regard and the impact on your contracting strategies.

• John R. Keville, Winston & Strawn LLP, Houston, Texas

4:40 pm

Chief Compliance Officer Roundtable: Ethics and Compliance Obligations and Concerns That Keep Them Up At Night

Despite the downward impact of the current commodity price environment on activity in the oil patch, there has been “no rest for the weary” on the compliance front, including rapid changes in sanctions laws, cross border issues, Board and stakeholder involvement, and governmental enforcement. This session will provide an inside look into the critical compliance issues of the day, in light of budgetary constraints facing organizations of all sizes, and leave you with practical tips to deploy within your own organization.

Moderator

• Michael B. Schwartz, Principal, KPMG LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists

• J. Daniel Chapman, Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, Cameron International, Houston, Texas
• Suzanne B. Kean, Former Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel, McDermott International Inc., Houston, Texas
• Jay G. Martin, Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Deputy General Counsel, Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, Texas
• Natalia G. Shehadeh, Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Weatherford International, Houston, Texas

5:40 pm

Closing Remarks

5:45 pm

Adjourn

5:45 pm

Networking Reception Honoring Oilfield Services General Counsel

CLE Credit

MCLE Credit

This program is approved by the State Bar of Texas for a total of 7 hours, including 1 hour of ethics. Course ID Number: 901325067. Credit hours for other states will vary and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.

For this conference, IEL will directly apply (if requested) for course accreditation in the following states: California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia. Some of these states may not approve a program for credit hours before the program occurs. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through reciprocity or attorney self-submission in other states. IEL conferences are typically accredited by all mandatory CLE states.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Hosted Luncheon - $2,500 each
Speaker: Former Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Recognition on the Conference website
• Recognition at the Luncheon
• I complimentary registrant at the Conference
• Up to 2 complimentary guests for the luncheon
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Networking Reception - $2,000 each

• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• Recognition on the Conference website
• Recognition at the Reception
• I complimentary registrant at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Exhibitor - $1,500 each
(Non-law Firms only)

• Space to display company/firm materials at the conference.
• Name/logo on Conference website with link to company page

Canvas Bag -  $2,500 each

• Name/Logo on one side of canvas bag (ONLY 3 ALLOWED)
• Recognition in the Conference brochure, which will be mailed and/or emailed to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders and will reach many thousands more through web announcements.
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure and final program.
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the event or at the conference.

Hotel Information

The cost of housing is not included in tuition. However, rooms (in limited number) have been reserved at the Westin Houston - Memorial City, 945 Gessner Rd, Houston, TX 77024. Registrants should call 1.800.937.8461 and advise them of room block "IEL - Oilfield Services" to receive a reduced room rate of $219 + applicable taxes/night. The last day to obtain this special rate is September 16, 2015.

BOOK HOTEL ONLINE

Other Information

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