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Pete Hays is a commercial energy lawyer. His clients are public and private companies, equity and debt investors, developers  and entrepreneurs in energy transactions, including upstream and midstream deals and new projects in the energy transition.  He primarily advises on acquisitions & divestitures, joint ventures, project development and complex commercial contracts.

Pete practices both domestically and internationally, onshore and offshore.  He is board certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Pete has been focused on the energy sector for his entire legal career.  Before starting private practice, he clerked for Chief Judge Hayden Head of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  In law school, he was a research clerk for Professor Ernest E. Smith, Rex G. Baker Centennial Chair in Natural Resources Law.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, with honors

B.A., The University of Texas at Austin

Texas

Law Clerk, Judge Hayden Head, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, by Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Editor, Chambers Global Practice Guide – Energy: Oil and Gas

Member and Advisory Board, Institute for Energy Law (IEL)

Member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN)

Member, Independent Petroleum Association of America

Member, Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico

Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF)

Member, State Bar of Texas

“Peter caters to the needs of his clients and thinks outside the box. He has high-quality commercial acumen.”


Chambers USA

Board Certified in Oil & Gas Law


Texas Bar - Board of Legal Specialization

Nationally ranked for Energy - Oil and Gas Transactions


Chambers USA - Energy, Oil & Gas Transactions (Band 4), 2020-2024

Globally Ranked for Energy Transactions


Chambers Global - USA Energy Oil & Gas Transactions, 2022-2024

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Transactions


Legal 500 USA, 2020-2023

Ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer in Project Development, Oil & Gas


IFLR USA, 2019-2023

Close

Recognition

“Peter caters to the needs of his clients and thinks outside the box. He has high-quality commercial acumen.”


Chambers USA

Board Certified in Oil & Gas Law


Texas Bar - Board of Legal Specialization

Nationally ranked for Energy - Oil and Gas Transactions


Chambers USA - Energy, Oil & Gas Transactions (Band 4), 2020-2024

Globally Ranked for Energy Transactions


Chambers Global - USA Energy Oil & Gas Transactions, 2022-2024

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Transactions


Legal 500 USA, 2020-2023

Ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer in Project Development, Oil & Gas


IFLR USA, 2019-2023

Matters

Representative Transactions - Energy Transition

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of a 33.3% interest in Terreva Renewables, LLC, a landfill renewable natural gas production and sales company with numerous RNG projects throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the negotiation of equity joint venture arrangements to develop and operate the projects.

Capital One, as agent for secured lenders in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Castex Energy, in the sale of assets and negotiation of a decommissioning funding and operational structure to address legacy asset retirement obligations associated with the company's offshore Gulf of Mexico properties.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Fieldwood Energy.

See more

Close

Matters

Representative Transactions - Energy Transition

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of a 33.3% interest in Terreva Renewables, LLC, a landfill renewable natural gas production and sales company with numerous RNG projects throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the negotiation of equity joint venture arrangements to develop and operate the projects.

Capital One, as agent for secured lenders in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Castex Energy, in the sale of assets and negotiation of a decommissioning funding and operational structure to address legacy asset retirement obligations associated with the company's offshore Gulf of Mexico properties.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Fieldwood Energy.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Cox Energy.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the wind-down and decommissioning of legacy upstream assets located in the Pacific OCS (offshore California), including liability analysis and negotiation of funding and joint venture arrangement in support of asset retirement obligations.

Supermajor new energy venture in the development of a hydrogen and ammonia production facility along the U.S. Gulf Coast in conjunction with LyondellBasell and Uniper SE, including hydrogen offtake arrangements.

U.S. midstream company in the negotiation of long-term CO2 capture and transportation agreements in support of major carbon capture and storage project servicing numerous emitters along the U.S. gulf coast.

Independent project developer in the negotiation of a long-term renewable propane offtake agreement in support of renewable fuels processing facility (vegetable oils and fats).

Japanese trading house in the development of a synthetic methane production facility in the U.S. Midwest, including negotiation of equity joint venture(s), low-carbon hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) feedstock supply contracts and long-term carbon capture arrangements.

Reynolds American in the development of a 60-million gpy water reclamation and recycling facility located at the Reynolds Operations Center in Tobaccoville, N.C. with NextEra Energy, including negotiation of long-term waterhub development and water services agreement.

Project developer with respect to the unitization of the St. John's Dome helium and CO2 field in Apache County, Arizona, the first unitization in Arizona (represented operator/developer).

Stagecoach Royalty, an Apollo-backed renewable energy land royalties platform, in the development of business theory and contract structure to acquire property interests (and long term royalty interests) in wind and solar development rights in Texas, Colorado and other major renewable energy producing states across the U.S.

Major private equity infrastructure fund in the structuring and development of renewable natural gas projects across the U.S. grain belt (swine and cow substrate to RNG).

Trafigura (Impala Terminals joint venture) in the negotiation of a long-term biomass (bagasse) storage and transloading agreement with Delta Biofuel utilizing the Burnside Terminal on the Mississippi River.

Various project sponsors in the negotiation and development of first generation of swine and cow substrate supply agreements in support of U.S. renewable natural gas projects.

Various producers, end-use buyers and traders in the negotiation and development of first generation of long-term renewable natural gas purchase and sale contracts for trading physical gas and associated environmental benefits (LCFS, RINs, RED II and voluntary certification).

Representative Transactions - Oil and Gas

EnerVest in the sale of numerous asset packages in the Utica Shale, San Juan Basin and Permian Basin for consideration ranging from $20MM to $100MM.

InstarAGF Asset Management in the acquisition of Texas-based Oilfield Water Logistics, an energy services company, from Natural Gas Partners.

Luxe Energy, an NGP-backed company, in the negotiation of a comprehensive water services development agreement (supply and disposal) with WaterBridge Resources in the Permian Basin, including equity and royalty upside consideration.

Next Wave Energy Partners in the negotiation of a suite of feedstock and offtake agreements in support of the development and project financing of "Project Traveler", an ethylene-to-alkylate production facility in Pasadena, Texas with nameplate capacity of 28,000 bpd.

PE-backed upstream company in the negotiation of a long-term gas gathering and processing agreement, where midstream service provider paid bonus consideration in excess of $100MM for dedication of prospective Permian basin acreage.

BG in the carve-out (horizontal severance) and sale of shallow rights portion (Cotton Valley) of upstream assets in joint development area covering Haynesville Shale for $130 million, and negotiation of shared assets agreement for joint-use of upstream and midstream facilities between shallow rights owners and deep rights owners.

BHP Billiton in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets in the Fayetteville Shale for $4.75 billion.

BHP Billiton in the negotiation and optimization of various suites of long-term gathering, processing, transportation and/or sales and marketing agreements for operator's significant hydrocarbon production in Permian, Eagle Ford and Haynesville oil and gas fields/shale plays.

BP plc in the sale of upstream and midstream assets in Colombia, including the Cusiana Field and the OCENSA Pipeline, to an Ecopetrol and Talisman joint venture for $1.9 billion.

CEPSA with respect to country-entry farm-ins in Suriname and Liberia for CEPSA.

Major Permian Basin producer in the negotiation of a long-term NGL transportation contract supporting the development of a major liquids pipeline from the Permian Basin to Mt. Belvieu, including a synthetic equity kicker upside consideration in exchange for anchor shipper commitment.

Dominion Energy in the sale of oil and gas fields in the Permian Basin, the Antrim Shale and the Black Warrior Basin for $4 billion.

Dominion Energy in the sale of oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico, including Devils Tower, Goldfinger and Spiderman, for $4.7 billion.

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of upstream assets in the Eagle Ford Shale for $225 million.

Moxie Freedom in the negotiation of a long-term gas supply arrangement for a power plant, where the price for gas was tied to the price received for power (i.e., a power netback price).

Private mineral investor in the formation of a multi-series oil and gas investment fund, utilizing capital of major institutional investors to acquire a diversified portfolio of mature upstream oil and gas assets throughout the U.S., together with establishment of risk-allocated commodity hedging scheme by series.

Rockcliff Energy, a Quantum Energy-backed upstream company, in the negotiation of a suite of gas gathering, processing and takeaway agreements for Haynesville production with Gemini (later Trace) Midstream and the Williams Companies.

Total Energy in the acquisition of upstream assets in Barnett Shale for $2.25 billion and the establishment of an area-wide joint venture to develop the assets, and in the subsequent exercise of a preferential right to acquire the remainder of the interest in the asset and to renegotiate (buy-down) related midstream fixed payment obligations under long term gas gathering contracts for over $500 million.

Tullow Oil in the unitization of the Jubilee Field in Ghana, the first unitization in Ghana.

WesternZagros Resources in the negotiation and management of project agreements and oil offtake and export arrangements for oil fields located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Insights

Article · Source: Texas Lawyer

November 28, 2023
Are Wind Rights A New Stick in the Bundle?

Article · Source: The Energy Law Advisor

June 25, 2019
The New Midstream Transactions

View all

Matters

Representative Transactions - Energy Transition

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of a 33.3% interest in Terreva Renewables, LLC, a landfill renewable natural gas production and sales company with numerous RNG projects throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the negotiation of equity joint venture arrangements to develop and operate the projects.

Capital One, as agent for secured lenders in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Castex Energy, in the sale of assets and negotiation of a decommissioning funding and operational structure to address legacy asset retirement obligations associated with the company's offshore Gulf of Mexico properties.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Fieldwood Energy.

See more

Close

Matters

Representative Transactions - Energy Transition

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of a 33.3% interest in Terreva Renewables, LLC, a landfill renewable natural gas production and sales company with numerous RNG projects throughout the U.S. and Canada, and the negotiation of equity joint venture arrangements to develop and operate the projects.

Capital One, as agent for secured lenders in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Castex Energy, in the sale of assets and negotiation of a decommissioning funding and operational structure to address legacy asset retirement obligations associated with the company's offshore Gulf of Mexico properties.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Fieldwood Energy.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the negotiation of decommissioning funding and operational arrangements to address legacy asset retirement obligations in the offshore Gulf of Mexico, in connection with the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring of Cox Energy.

Supermajor oil and gas company in the wind-down and decommissioning of legacy upstream assets located in the Pacific OCS (offshore California), including liability analysis and negotiation of funding and joint venture arrangement in support of asset retirement obligations.

Supermajor new energy venture in the development of a hydrogen and ammonia production facility along the U.S. Gulf Coast in conjunction with LyondellBasell and Uniper SE, including hydrogen offtake arrangements.

U.S. midstream company in the negotiation of long-term CO2 capture and transportation agreements in support of major carbon capture and storage project servicing numerous emitters along the U.S. gulf coast.

Independent project developer in the negotiation of a long-term renewable propane offtake agreement in support of renewable fuels processing facility (vegetable oils and fats).

Japanese trading house in the development of a synthetic methane production facility in the U.S. Midwest, including negotiation of equity joint venture(s), low-carbon hydrogen and biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) feedstock supply contracts and long-term carbon capture arrangements.

Reynolds American in the development of a 60-million gpy water reclamation and recycling facility located at the Reynolds Operations Center in Tobaccoville, N.C. with NextEra Energy, including negotiation of long-term waterhub development and water services agreement.

Project developer with respect to the unitization of the St. John's Dome helium and CO2 field in Apache County, Arizona, the first unitization in Arizona (represented operator/developer).

Stagecoach Royalty, an Apollo-backed renewable energy land royalties platform, in the development of business theory and contract structure to acquire property interests (and long term royalty interests) in wind and solar development rights in Texas, Colorado and other major renewable energy producing states across the U.S.

Major private equity infrastructure fund in the structuring and development of renewable natural gas projects across the U.S. grain belt (swine and cow substrate to RNG).

Trafigura (Impala Terminals joint venture) in the negotiation of a long-term biomass (bagasse) storage and transloading agreement with Delta Biofuel utilizing the Burnside Terminal on the Mississippi River.

Various project sponsors in the negotiation and development of first generation of swine and cow substrate supply agreements in support of U.S. renewable natural gas projects.

Various producers, end-use buyers and traders in the negotiation and development of first generation of long-term renewable natural gas purchase and sale contracts for trading physical gas and associated environmental benefits (LCFS, RINs, RED II and voluntary certification).

Representative Transactions - Oil and Gas

EnerVest in the sale of numerous asset packages in the Utica Shale, San Juan Basin and Permian Basin for consideration ranging from $20MM to $100MM.

InstarAGF Asset Management in the acquisition of Texas-based Oilfield Water Logistics, an energy services company, from Natural Gas Partners.

Luxe Energy, an NGP-backed company, in the negotiation of a comprehensive water services development agreement (supply and disposal) with WaterBridge Resources in the Permian Basin, including equity and royalty upside consideration.

Next Wave Energy Partners in the negotiation of a suite of feedstock and offtake agreements in support of the development and project financing of "Project Traveler", an ethylene-to-alkylate production facility in Pasadena, Texas with nameplate capacity of 28,000 bpd.

PE-backed upstream company in the negotiation of a long-term gas gathering and processing agreement, where midstream service provider paid bonus consideration in excess of $100MM for dedication of prospective Permian basin acreage.

BG in the carve-out (horizontal severance) and sale of shallow rights portion (Cotton Valley) of upstream assets in joint development area covering Haynesville Shale for $130 million, and negotiation of shared assets agreement for joint-use of upstream and midstream facilities between shallow rights owners and deep rights owners.

BHP Billiton in the acquisition of upstream and midstream assets in the Fayetteville Shale for $4.75 billion.

BHP Billiton in the negotiation and optimization of various suites of long-term gathering, processing, transportation and/or sales and marketing agreements for operator's significant hydrocarbon production in Permian, Eagle Ford and Haynesville oil and gas fields/shale plays.

BP plc in the sale of upstream and midstream assets in Colombia, including the Cusiana Field and the OCENSA Pipeline, to an Ecopetrol and Talisman joint venture for $1.9 billion.

CEPSA with respect to country-entry farm-ins in Suriname and Liberia for CEPSA.

Major Permian Basin producer in the negotiation of a long-term NGL transportation contract supporting the development of a major liquids pipeline from the Permian Basin to Mt. Belvieu, including a synthetic equity kicker upside consideration in exchange for anchor shipper commitment.

Dominion Energy in the sale of oil and gas fields in the Permian Basin, the Antrim Shale and the Black Warrior Basin for $4 billion.

Dominion Energy in the sale of oil and gas fields in the Gulf of Mexico, including Devils Tower, Goldfinger and Spiderman, for $4.7 billion.

Mitsui & Co. in the acquisition of upstream assets in the Eagle Ford Shale for $225 million.

Moxie Freedom in the negotiation of a long-term gas supply arrangement for a power plant, where the price for gas was tied to the price received for power (i.e., a power netback price).

Private mineral investor in the formation of a multi-series oil and gas investment fund, utilizing capital of major institutional investors to acquire a diversified portfolio of mature upstream oil and gas assets throughout the U.S., together with establishment of risk-allocated commodity hedging scheme by series.

Rockcliff Energy, a Quantum Energy-backed upstream company, in the negotiation of a suite of gas gathering, processing and takeaway agreements for Haynesville production with Gemini (later Trace) Midstream and the Williams Companies.

Total Energy in the acquisition of upstream assets in Barnett Shale for $2.25 billion and the establishment of an area-wide joint venture to develop the assets, and in the subsequent exercise of a preferential right to acquire the remainder of the interest in the asset and to renegotiate (buy-down) related midstream fixed payment obligations under long term gas gathering contracts for over $500 million.

Tullow Oil in the unitization of the Jubilee Field in Ghana, the first unitization in Ghana.

WesternZagros Resources in the negotiation and management of project agreements and oil offtake and export arrangements for oil fields located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Insights

Article · Source: Texas Lawyer

November 28, 2023
Are Wind Rights A New Stick in the Bundle?

Article · Source: The Energy Law Advisor

June 25, 2019
The New Midstream Transactions

View all

Credentials

J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, with honors

B.A., The University of Texas at Austin

Texas

Law Clerk, Judge Hayden Head, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law, by Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Editor, Chambers Global Practice Guide – Energy: Oil and Gas

Member and Advisory Board, Institute for Energy Law (IEL)

Member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN)

Member, Independent Petroleum Association of America

Member, Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico

Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF)

Member, State Bar of Texas

“Peter caters to the needs of his clients and thinks outside the box. He has high-quality commercial acumen.”


Chambers USA

Board Certified in Oil & Gas Law


Texas Bar - Board of Legal Specialization

Nationally ranked for Energy - Oil and Gas Transactions


Chambers USA - Energy, Oil & Gas Transactions (Band 4), 2020-2024

Globally Ranked for Energy Transactions


Chambers Global - USA Energy Oil & Gas Transactions, 2022-2024

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Transactions


Legal 500 USA, 2020-2023

Ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer in Project Development, Oil & Gas


IFLR USA, 2019-2023

Close

Recognition

“Peter caters to the needs of his clients and thinks outside the box. He has high-quality commercial acumen.”


Chambers USA

Board Certified in Oil & Gas Law


Texas Bar - Board of Legal Specialization

Nationally ranked for Energy - Oil and Gas Transactions


Chambers USA - Energy, Oil & Gas Transactions (Band 4), 2020-2024

Globally Ranked for Energy Transactions


Chambers Global - USA Energy Oil & Gas Transactions, 2022-2024

Recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Transactions


Legal 500 USA, 2020-2023

Ranked as a Highly Regarded lawyer in Project Development, Oil & Gas


IFLR USA, 2019-2023