James E.Olson

Partner

Houston + 1.832.239.3866

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Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 US for his outstanding experience in the energy regulatory sector, James Olson represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in administrative litigation involving interstate oil and gas pipeline rates and tariffs. He counsels clients regarding regulatory requirements at FERC for developing new or expanded oil and gas pipelines. James also negotiates oil and gas commercial agreements, such as gathering, transportation, processing, and fractionation agreements, as well as agreements for the purchase and sale of hydrocarbons. Finally, James counsels clients regarding regulatory compliance and oil and gas commercial agreements in the context of mergers and acquisitions in the oil and gas industry.

James is a member of the Energy Bar Association. He has been a guest speaker and lecturer on oil and gas-related topics, including regulatory and commercial issues in shale plays.

Experience

  • FERC Litigation — Oil and Gas Pipelines
  • Large natural gas producer participates in NGA Section 4 rate caseJones Day is representing a natural gas producer in Appalachia as the largest shipper in an NGA Section 4 rate case filed at FERC by one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the Mid-Atlantic.
  • Large natural gas producer represented in NGA Section 4 rate caseJones Day is representing a large producer of natural gas in Appalachia in an NGA Section 4 rate case involving a major interstate natural gas pipeline serving the Mid-Continent and Mid-West United States.
  • Natural gas processors oppose gas quality filing at FERCJones Day represented two natural gas processors in opposing a gas quality filing made at FERC by one of the largest natural gas pipelines in the Bakken Shale/Williston Basin.
  • Large Appalachian gas producer participates in NGA Section 5 rate case at FERCJones Day represented a large natural gas producer in a NGA Section 5 rate case before FERC involving a large natural gas pipeline in the Midwest.
  • Electric generator on East Coast involved in FERC complaint proceeding against large natural gas pipelineJones Day represented an electric generator on the East Coast in a complaint proceeding at FERC against a large natural gas pipeline regarding a surcharge implemented by the pipeline.
  • Large marketer of crude oil in Texas files complaints before FERC and Railroad Commission of Texas regarding implementation of crude oil pipeline's tariffJones Day represented a large marketer of crude oil in Texas in complaint proceedings before FERC and the Railroad Commission of Texas regarding a crude oil pipeline's implementation of its tariff.
  • Large natural gas producer protests fuel rate design change filingJones Day represented a large producer of natural gas in West Virginia and Ohio in protesting a fuel rate design change filed at FERC by a large transporter of natural gas between the Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic, including in a technical conference before FERC.
  • Natural gas storage provider in Rocky Mountains participates in NGA Section 4 rate case for interconnected pipelineJones Day represented a natural gas storage provider in the Rocky Mountains in an interconnected natural gas pipeline's NGA Section 4 rate case before FERC.
  • Large natural gas utility on East Coast participates in FERC gas storage rate caseJones Day represented a large utility on the East Coast in a rate case before FERC initiated by a natural gas storage company in the Mid-Atlantic.
  • Large midstream company participates as shipper in NGA Section 4 rate case at FERCJones Day represented a large midstream company as a shipper in a Section 4 rate case on a large natural gas pipeline servicing the Bakken Shale formation.
  • Large natural gas utility on East Coast participates in FERC gas pipeline rate proceedingJones Day represented a large utility on the East Coast in a rate proceeding before FERC initiated by a large natural gas pipeline in the Mid-Atlantic.
  • Major gas and electric utility companies protest tariff filing made at FERC by large, interstate natural gas pipelineJones Day represented major gas and electric utility companies in protesting a tariff filing made at FERC by a large, interstate natural gas pipeline, to modify the priority of its services and its methods of imbalance resolution.
  • Large Texas marketer of oil protests petition for declaratory order filed by crude oil pipeline at FERCJones Day represented a large marketer of crude oil in Texas in protesting a petition for declaratory order filed by a crude oil pipeline at FERC.
  • Large natural gas producer protests fuel filing by major interstate natural gas pipelineJones Day represented a large natural gas producer in Marcellus and Utica Shale Plays in protesting a fuel filing by a major interstate natural gas pipeline in the Mid-Continent.
  • Oil and gas producer participates in FERC market-based rate proceedingJones Day represented an oil and gas producer in a market-based rate proceeding initiated at FERC by an NGL pipeline.
  • Texas marketer of crude oil protests tariff filing at FERCJones Day represented a Texas marketer of crude oil in protesting a tariff filing at FERC made by an interstate crude oil pipeline.
  • Large natural gas producer participates in Section 5 rate case at FERC on major mid-continent natural gas pipelineJones Day represented a large natural gas producer in a Section 5 rate case at FERC on a major mid-continent natural gas pipeline.
  • FERC — Project Development
  • Owner of LNG terminal files FERC certificate applicationJones Day is representing the owner of an LNG terminal regarding a FERC certificate application to modify its facilities.
  • Developer of natural gas pipeline servicing LNG export terminals in Gulf Coast creates form precedent agreement and tariff and negotiates with customersJones Day represented the developer of a natural gas pipeline to service LNG export terminals in the Gulf Coast in creating a form precedent agreement and tariff and negotiating the documents with customers.
  • Crude oil pipeline develops tariffsJones Day counseled a crude oil pipeline company regarding FERC requirements for new tariff service offerings.
  • Midstream company reviews FERC jurisdiction issuesJones Day counseled a non-jurisdictional midstream company regarding FERC jurisdictional issues in connection with further development of system.

  • Oil and Gas Commercial Agreements

  • Large oil and gas producer negotiates multiple natural gas gathering and transportation agreementsJones Day represented a large oil and gas producer in negotiating multiple natural gas gathering and transportation agreements in order to get Haynesville shale production to market.
  • Large producer of oil and gas negotiates multiple gas sales agreementsJones Day represented large producer of oil and gas in Texas in the negotiation of multiple gas sales agreements to facilitate gathering and processing of the gas and the marketing of the resulting residue gas and NGLs.
  • Petrochemical company negotiates ethylene transportation and storage arrangements with midstream service provider in TexasJones Day represented a petrochemical company in negotiating ethylene transportation and storage arrangements with a midstream service provider in Texas.
  • Midstream company in Bakken Shale negotiates commercial agreements for development of NGL hubJones Day represented a midstream company in the Bakken Shale in negotiating commercial agreements for the development of an NGL hub, including the transportation, fractionation, loading, and sale of Y-Grade and NGL purity products.
  • Crude oil midstream services provider negotiates crude oil capacity lease and other agreementsJones Day represented a crude oil midstream services provider in the DJ Basin in negotiating a crude oil capacity lease and related dedication agreement with a pipeline company and a crude oil purchase and sale agreement with its customer.
  • Large oil and gas marketer negotiates long-term NGL sales agreementJones Day represented a large oil and gas marketer in negotiating a long-term NGL sales agreement with deliveries in the Gulf Coast.
  • Crude oil marketer negotiates Transportation Services AgreementJones Day represented a marketer of crude oil in negotiating a Transportation Services Agreement to underpin an open season and expansion project to be constructed by a major midstream company.
  • Midstream terminal operator creates NGL terminal services agreement for anchor customersJones Day represented a midstream terminal operator in creating a form of NGL terminal services agreement for anchor customers.
  • Petroleum marketer negotiates transportation services agreement for new diesel fuel pipeline in TexasJones Day represented a large marketer of refined petroleum products in negotiating a transportation services agreement for new diesel fuel pipeline in Texas.
  • Major electric and gas utility negotiates precedent agreements for capacity on large, greenfield natural gas pipelineJones Day represented a major electric and gas utility in negotiating precedent agreements for capacity on a large, greenfield natural gas pipeline that will transport natural gas away from Mid-Atlantic, shale gas producing regions.
  • Midstream company negotiates crude oil and water Transportation Services AgreementsJones Day represented a midstream company in drafting new and amended crude oil and water Transportation Services Agreements for shale oil producer in the Bakken Shale.
  • Midstream company in Bakken Shale negotiates commercial agreements for transport and marketing of natural gas and NGLsJones Day represented a midstream company in the Bakken Shale in negotiating commercial agreements for the transport and marketing of natural gas and NGLs resulting from the expansion of a gas processing plant.
  • Crude oil marketer negotiates Transportation Services Agreement for new crude oil pipeline to be built in TexasJones Day represented a crude oil marketer in negotiating a Transportation Services Agreement for a new crude oil pipeline to be built in Texas.
  • Large natural gas utility negotiates agreement for purchase of LNGJones Day represented a large natural gas utility in negotiating an agreement for the purchase of LNG for its peak-shaving requirements during the winter.
  • Natural gas marketing company finalizes asset management agreementJones Day advised a natural gas marketing company regarding an asset management agreement involving FERC jurisdictional natural gas pipeline capacity in the Northeast U.S.
  • Natural gas end user negotiates Precedent Agreement to extend natural gas pipelineJones Day represented a natural gas end user in negotiating a Precedent Agreement for a FERC regulated natural gas pipeline to extend a pipeline to connect to the end user's plant.
  • Crude oil pipeline develops commercial agreementsJones Day created a form of acreage dedication Transportation Service Agreement for a crude oil pipeline company.
  • End user negotiates asset management agreementsJones Day advised a natural gas end user in negotiating asset management arrangements.
  • Crude oil marketer negotiates commercial agreementsJones Day represented a crude oil marketer in negotiating commercial agreements for a potential pipeline joint venture.
  • Utility company creates form agreementJones Day created a form of asset management agreement for a large gas utility.
  • Renewable energy generator negotiates biofuel supply arrangementsJones Day advised a generator of renewable energy in North Carolina regarding its biofuel supply arrangements.

  • Mergers & Acquisitions — Assistance with FERC and Commercial Agreement Issues

  • Noble Midstream Partners acquires 20% ownership interest in Saddlehorn Pipeline for $155 millionJones Day advised Noble Midstream Partners LP in its $155 million acquisition and exercise of an option to acquire a 20% ownership interest in Saddlehorn Pipeline Company, LLC, along with the negotiation of related crude oil commercial agreements.
  • MPLX LP acquires Andeavor Logistics LPJones Day represented Marathon Petroleum Corporation, one of the largest independent refining, marketing and midstream companies in the U.S., in the combination of its two master limited partnerships, MPLX LP (NYSE: MPLX) and Andeavor Logistics LP (NYSE: ANDX) in a unit-for-unit transaction at a blended exchange ratio of 1.07x, representing an equity value of approximately $9 billion and an enterprise value of $14 billion for ANDX.
  • Investment banking and securities firm provides $255 million revolving credit facility and term loans supporting midstream oil and gas company in ColoradoJones Day represented the administrative agent in connection with a $255 million revolving credit facility and term loans supporting a midstream oil and gas company in Colorado.
  • Major midstream company negotiates commercial agreementsJones Day represented a major midstream company in negotiating acquisition, joint venture and commercial agreements for a proposed oil and gas gathering and processing infrastructure joint venture.
  • Enable Midstream Partners acquires Align Midstream, LLC for $300 millionJones Day advised Enable Midstream Partners, LP, an owner, operator, and developer of strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets, in connection with its $300 million acquisition of Align Midstream, LLC from Tailwater Capital.
    • View All

    October 2022 Alert

    Fifth Circuit Clarifies FERC's Authority to Address Natural Gas Market Manipulation

    July 2022 Commentary

    New NGL Pipeline and Renewable Generation Interconnection Settlements Highlight FERC's Expanded Enforcement Focus

    May 2021 Newsletters

    FERC Announces Greenhouse Gas Emissions Will Be Considered in Review of Natural Gas Pipeline Certificates

    March 2020 Alert

    FERC Eases Regulatory Obligations in Response to COVID-19

    March 2018 Commentary

    FERC Announces Initiatives Regarding Income Tax Cost Recovery for Pipelines and Utilities

    April 2017 Commentary

    D.C. Circuit Tells FERC to Try Again on Utility Rates of Return

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