The Fifth Circuit’s recent decision in Lexon Insurance Co., Inc. v. Chevron U.S.A. Inc., No. 24-20347 (5th Cir. Aug. 19, 2025) (slip op.), addresses who should pay offshore decommissioning costs when a current leaseholder fails to meet its legal obligations. Federal law requires that wells, pipelines, and platforms on the Outer Continental Shelf
In this episode of “Energy Law This Week,” hosts Matt Jones and April L. Rolen-Ogden engage listeners with updates on mineral leases, discussing key legal cases and the implications of lease agreements in the oil and gas industry. They explore the importance of understanding mineral leases, the rights granted to lessees, and the
While several bills were considered that would restructure the state’s severance tax scheme on oil and gas during Louisiana’s 2025 regular legislative session, three bills aimed to stimulate drilling activity and attract jobs in the energy sector were passed and sent to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature.
Continue Reading Louisiana Severance Tax Law Changes – A Win for Oil & Gas
In this episode of “Energy Law This Week,” hosts Matt Jones and April L. Rolen-Ogden discuss recent cases in energy law, focusing on lease disputes, surface versus mineral rights, and the complexities of royalties. They emphasize the importance of written agreements, the implications of production and post-production costs, and the legal pitfalls
The 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session has continued to stay busy on the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) front, with a mix of outcomes for proposed bills.
Continue Reading Pipelines, Property, and Policy: CCS Legislation Continues in 2025 Louisiana Session
A new U.S. Geological Survey report has revealed significant untapped natural gas and oil resources across the Gulf Coast region, estimating 35.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 28 million barrels of oil within the Hosston and Travis Peak Formations.
Continue Reading New USGS Report Highlights Major Gas Potential in Louisiana and Texas, Gulf Coast Region
After two action-packed weeks at the Capitol, Louisiana lawmakers continued to vote down bills this week on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) but did advance a few CCS bills out of committee.
Continue Reading Latest Developments on Louisiana CCS Legislation
On Friday, May 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced its intent to revise the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) 2024 Risk Management and Financial Assurance of OCS Lease and Grant Obligations Rule (2024 Rule).
Continue Reading DOI to Overhaul BOEM’s 2024 Risk Management and Financial Assurance Regulations for Offshore Leases and Grants
There are seven more CCS bills, and potentially more to come, scheduled for hearing this week in the House Ways & Means Committee on Monday morning and in the House Committee on Natural Resources & Environment on Wednesday morning.
Continue Reading Seven More Bills on CCS Currently Set for Hearing in Two House Committees This Week
On Tuesday, April 29, the Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources & Environment held a hearing involving 10 carbon capture and storage (CCS) bills, beginning at 9 a.m. with only a midday recess to attend the floor session, where they resumed until 10 p.m. when the hearing finally concluded.
Continue Reading Louisiana House Committee on Natural Resources & Environment Hears Key CCS Bills