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Oil and gas

Energy is our business. We have been a part of the fabric of Canada's energy story and advising entrepreneurs for over 100 years. You will get collaborative, creative and practical legal guidance from a team that understands the industry's history, challenges and opportunities.

Oil and gas transactions and projects are complex but familiar. We will help you navigate this intricate and exciting landscape. Our long history of working with the pioneers old and new in the oil and gas business, together with our sound judgement and strategic legal advice will guide you through all stages of a transaction or project development. If things don't go to plan, our energy litigation group has experience in all levels of court and alternative dispute resolution.

Who we work with

We work with explorers, developers and producers as well as facility owners and operators, lenders, marketers and other stakeholders in all aspects of the oil and gas industry, including:

  • Exploration and production
  • Oil and gas processing
  • Pipeline transportation
  • NGL extraction and fractionation
  • Shale gas and oil sands joint ventures
  • LNG projects
  • Petrochemical processing
  • Co‑generation projects

What we do

We can help you with:

  • Acquisitions and dispositions of oil and natural gas properties and facilities
  • Royalty transactions
  • Commodities trading and marketing
  • Construction, financing and operating of major facilities
  • Corporate reorganizations
  • Environmental issues
  • Financings, including banks, private equity and public markets
  • Indigenous consultation advice
  • International transactions
  • Joint ventures, including partnerships, as well as farmout, operating, royalty, participation and transportation agreements
  • Onshore and offshore drilling contracts
  • Share transactions involving both private and public companies
  • Surface rights work
  • Taxation issues, including cross‑border transactions

A skilled and experienced team

Our team has deep experience working on national, cross-border and international oil and gas matters. When you partner with BD&P, you benefit from our skill and breadth of knowledge. When needed, our team can draw upon the expertise of other lawyers in the firm including:

  • Banking and finance
  • Construction
  • Competition and foreign investment
  • Employment
  • Environmental and indigenous
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Project development
  • Regulatory
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Securities
  • Tax

The team is active in a number of energy-related professional organizations. These include the PJVA, CELF, CAPP, CAPLA, SEPAC, CAPL, Natural Resources Subsection of the Canadian Bar Association and the Institute for Energy Law.

What our clients say

"BDP’s oil and gas team has incredibly specialized and expert knowledge in all areas of oil and gas, but what makes them even more unique and helpful is they never lose sight of strategic business goals or broader market realities. Lawyers use their expertise to facilitate good, practical, business-friendly solutions." – Legal 500 Canada 2020

Representative work

ARC Resources Ltd.'s $8.1 billion combination

Counsel to ARC Resources Ltd. in its $8.1 billion strategic Montney combination with Seven Generations Energy, resulting in ARC becoming Canada's largest condensate producer, third-largest natural gas producer and sixth-largest upstream energy company.

Transportation and Product Sales

Counsel to Certarus Ltd. for various transportation and sale agreements relating to compressed natural gas, renewable natural gas and hydrogen.

Obsidian Energy Ltd. acquisition in the Peace River Oil Partnership

Counsel to Obsidian Energy Ltd. in its $44 million acquisition of a 45% interest in the Peace River Oil Partnership from its partner (now 100% owned)

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. syndicated credit facilities

Counsel to PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. in connection with a $700 million syndicated extendable revolving credit facility and a $25 million extendable operating credit facility (2021)

Petrus Resources' acquisition and refinancing transactions

Counsel to Petrus Resources Ltd. for its $15 million acquisition of a privately owned limited partnership and its general partner with Cardium assets located at Ferrier, Alberta, $20 million rights offering, $30 million revolving loan facility, and $25 million second lien term facility.

Marco Enterprises Inc.'s going private transaction

Counsel to the special committee of the board of directors of Macro Enterprises Inc. in a going private transaction for total consideration of $136 million, excluding debt.

AltaGas Ltd.'s $700 million note offering

Counsel to AltaGas Ltd. in its $500 million offering of senior unsecured medium-term notes maturing on May 30, 2028, and $200 million offering of senior unsecured medium term notes maturing on November 30, 2030.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P's $6.8 billion acquisition of Inter Pipeline Ltd.

Counsel to Inter Pipeline Ltd. in its acquisition by Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement for $6.8 billion.

Greenfire Acquisition Corporation acquisition of Japan Canada Oil Sands Limited

Counsel to Greenfire Acquisition Corporation in its acquisition of all of the shares of Japan Canada Oil Sands Limited, which has a working interest in the Hangingstone facility in Alberta, for an undisclosed amount.

Tourmaline Oil Corp.'s $205 million acquisition of assets from Saguaro Resources Ltd.

Counsel to Tourmaline Oil Corp. in the $205 million strategic acquisition of 50% of the assets of Saguaro Resources Ltd. in the Laprise-Conroy North Montney area of British Columbia. The companies entered into a joint venture agreement to develop the assets, with Tourmaline operating the joint venture and related facilities.

Saguaro Resources Ltd. sale of energy assets to Tourmaline Oil Corp.

Counsel to Saguaro Resources Ltd. in the sale of 50% of its assets in the Laprise-Conroy North Montney area of British Columbia to Tourmaline Oil Corp. for $205 million. The companies entered into a joint venture agreement to development the assets with Tourmaline operating the joint venture and related facilities

Whitecap Resources Inc's $300 million acquisition of Kicking Horse Oil & Gas Ltd.

Counsel to Whitecap Resources Inc. in its indirect acquisition of Kicking Horse Oil & Gas Ltd., a portfolio company of Quantum Energy Partners, for $300 million.

Kicking Horse Oil & Gas Ltd.'s $300 million acquisition by Whitecap Resources Inc

Counsel to Kicking Horse Oil & Gas Ltd., a portfolio company of Quantum Energy Partners, in its $300 million acquisition by Whitecap Resources Inc.

Bengal Energy $16.5 million private placement

Counsel to Bengal Energy in its non-brokered private placement of 330,720,000 common shares for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $16.5 million

​Whitecap Resources Inc.'s $560 million combination with TORC Oil & Gas Ltd.

Counsel to Whitecap Resources Inc. in its strategic business combination with TORC Oil & Gas Ltd. from Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and others for approximately $560 million.

Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission in connection with the Keystone Expansion Project

Counsel to APMC regarding the Government of Alberta’s $1.5 billion equity investment in––and $6 billion loan guarantee in support of––the Keystone Expansion Project.

Precedent-setting securities law decision

Successfully represented Inter Pipeline Ltd. (IPL) in a precedent-setting case before the Alberta Securities Commission. The case addressed Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.'s use of total return swaps in its takeover bid of IPL. The decision is the first time that a Canadian securities regulator has directly addressed the use of total return swaps within the context of takeover bids following the changes to the Canadian takeover bid regime in 2016. (Re Bison Acquisition Corp., 2021 ABASC 100).

​AltaGas Ltd.'s $715 million acquisition

Counsel to AltaGas Ltd. in its acquisition of an additional 37 percent equity interest in Petrogas Energy Corp. for approximately $715 million.

Court approval of contested plan of arrangement

Successfully obtained court approval of a shareholders'-rights-focused plan of arrangement over the objections of those seeking creditor rights protections (Re Perpetual Energy Inc., 2021 ABQB 718).

Headwater Exploration Inc.'s acquisition of Cenovus Energy Inc.'s Marten Hills assets

Counsel to Headwater Exploration Inc. in the $100 million acquisition of Cenovus Energy Inc.'s Marten Hills upstream assets. The transaction comprised $35 million in cash, $50 million common shares of Headwater Exploration Inc. and $15 million purchase warrants.

Ovintiv Canada ULC's termination of joint venture with PetroChina Canada Ltd.

Counsel to Ovintiv Canada for the termination of their 2012 Duvernay shale joint venture and partition of assets.

Bellatrix Exploration Ltd.'s divestiture of substantially all of its assets

Counsel to Bellatrix Exploration Ltd. in its divestiture of substantially all of its assets to Winslow Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Return Energy Inc. (renamed Spartan Delta Corp.), in the context of Bellatrix’s proceedings under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.

Athabasca Oil Corporation's $70 million bitumen royalty upsizing

Counsel to Athabasca in the upsizing of the completed bitumen royalty with Burgess Energy Holdings LLC for an extra cash consideration of $70 million.

Headwater Exploration Inc.'s recapitalization of Corridor Resources Inc.

Counsel to Headwater Exploration Inc. management team in the $50 million recapitalization and reconstitution of management of Corridor Resources Inc.

Appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on the constitutionality of the inter-provincial transport of oil and gas

Intervenor counsel to the Explorers and Producers Association of Canada in a case that considered the constitutionality of British Columbia's proposed restrictions on heavy oil in the TMX Pipeline and the interprovincial transport of oil and gas. (Reference re Environmental Management Act, 2020 SCC 1).

Successful defence in an alleged breach of confidence case

Counsel in the successful defence of an $18 million action and appeal involving alleged breaches of confidence, use of seismic data, contractual transfer fees, limitations and the objective intent of the parties when contracting. (Geophysical Service Incorporated v Falkland Oil and Gas Limited, 2020 ABCA 21).

Constitutional challenge from British Columbia on the TMX Pipeline

Co-counsel to the Exploration and Producers Association of Canada in its intervention at the Supreme Court of Canada in BC v. Canada. The case considered the constitutionality of British Columbia's proposed restrictions on heavy oil in the TMX Pipeline.

Bonavista Energy Corporation's strategic asset acquisition for $53.3 million

Counsel to Bonavista Energy Corporation in the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas assets located in West Central Alberta for $53.3 million.

Predator Drilling Inc.'s $9 million private placement

Counsel to Predator Drilling Inc. in the private placement of an aggregate amount of $9,000,000 of Series 3 Second Preferred Shares to institutional and high net worth investors, along with implementation of a new US$12.0 million revolving credit facility and US$2.5 million term credit facility with a US based mid-market lender.

Royalties dispute before the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench

Counsel in the successful claim for royalties payable by the defendant. Issues involved the proper interpretation of the royalty agreement and the objective intentions of the parties. (Obsidian Energy Partnership v Grizzly Resources Ltd., 2019 ABQB 406).

Wolverine Energy Infrastructure Inc.'s $23 million public offering

Counsel to Wolverine Energy Infrastructure Inc. in its public offering of 23,000,000 common shares of the company for gross proceeds of $23 million.

Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission crude by rail project

Counsel to the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission in connection with the Alberta Government's publicly announced 120,000 bbls/d, $3.7 billion crude by rail (CBR) initiative for the transportation of Alberta crude oil by rail car to markets in the U.S. and Canada.

Crown Point Energy Inc.'s rights offerings and acquisition of Apco Austral S.A.

Counsel to Crown Point Energy Inc. regarding its US$16 million circular and short form prospectus rights offerings. Following the offering, BD&P acted as Canadian counsel to Crown Point in its US$39 million acquisition of Apco Austral S.A. from an affiliate of Pluspetrol S.A. using the proceeds from the rights offerings.

Successful summary dismissal before the Alberta Court of the Queen's Bench

Co-counsel for the successful defendant on the summary dismissal of a claim to a number of disputed facilities. The matter turned on the proper interpretation of joint venture agreements and the CAPL Operating Procedure and the objective intentions of the parties to the contract. (O'Chiese Energy Limited Partnership v Bellatrix Exploration Ltd., 2019 ABQB 53)

MEG Energy Corp.'s hostile tender offer from Husky Energy

Counsel to MEG, a Canadian oil sands producer, and its board of directors in response to the unsolicited tender offer by Husky Energy. Husky sought to acquire the entire share capital of MEG for approximately $6 billion.

Successful defense in a Supreme Court of Canada application for Canadian Natural Resources Limited

Counsel in the successful defense to Wood Group's Supreme Court of Canada application for leave to appeal from the Court of Appeal judgment. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v. Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc. (IMV Projects Inc.), 2018 ABCA 305).

Summary dismissal for breach of warranty

Successfully obtained summary judgment of post-closing adjustments and summary dismissal of counterclaim for breach of warranty. (Gain Energy Ltd. v. Sequoia Operating Corp.)

SemCAMS long-term arrangement for sour gas production

Counsel to SemCAMS in respect to its long-term agreement with the Canadian subsidiary of a large international oil and gas company to process sour gas production at its Wapiti Gas Plant. Key to this mandate was the execution of 10 year long-term take-or pay commitments for the NW Wapiti Pipeline, the Wapiti Gas Plant, the Wapiti Pipeline and the Simonette Pipeline.

Successfully advised Murphy Oil Company Ltd. in a $22 million dispute

Counsel to the successful defendant in responding to the plaintiff's appeal of a decision dismissing its $22 million claim. Leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was refused. (Geophysical Service Incorporated v Murphy Oil Company Ltd, 2018 ABCA 380).

Gear Energy Ltd.'s $70 million acquisition

Counsel to Gear Energy Ltd. regarding a $70 million plan of arrangement acquisition of Steppe Resources Inc.

$2.8 billion acquisition of Raging River Exploration Inc.

Counsel to Raging River Exploration Inc., a Canadian oil producer, in the $2.8 billion strategic acquisition.

NuVista Energy Ltd.'s $419 million strategic equity financings

Counsel to Nuvista Energy Ltd. in a $214 million private placement of subscription receipts, and a concurrent $170 million prospectus offering of subscription receipts for proceeds of $384 million, as well as in the private placement of $35 million in common shares.

NuVista Energy Ltd.'s acquisition of pipestone business of Cenovus Energy Inc.

Counsel to NuVista in the $625 million acquisition of the Cenovus Pipestone Partnership, which holds assets in the Pipestone area of Northwest Alberta.

NewAlta Corporation's $1 billion merger with Tervita Corporation

Counsel to NewAlta in the $1 billion merger with Tervita Corporation, a Canadian environmental solutions provider, in a stock swap transaction.

CWC Energy Services Corp. syndicated and term credit facilities

Counsel to CWC Energy Services Corp. in connection with amendments and extensions of its secured syndicated credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of up to $75 million and a new secured 5-year term credit facility in the principal amount of $12.8 million.

TransGlobe Energy Corporation direct listing on the AIM market of the LSE

Counsel to TransGlobe Energy Corporation for the direct listing of its common shares on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange Group plc.

Artis Exploration Ltd. $180 million private equity financing

Counsel to Artis Exploration Ltd. in the $180 million private equity financing with Warburg Pincus LLC.

MEG Energy Corp.'s $1.5 billion asset disposition

Counsel to MEG in the $1.5 billion disposition of a 50% interest in Access Pipeline and 100% interest in Stonefell Terminal to Wolf Midstream Inc.

Three successful appeals before the Alberta Courts on behalf of CNRL

Counsel in connection with three successful appeals and one cross appeal before Court of Appeal involving the allocation of damages from a pipeline failure and Pierringer Agreements affect the calculation of damages. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v. Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc. (IMV Projects Inc.), 2018 ABCA 305)

Successful leave application on behalf of CNRL

Counsel in the successful leave application to have the Court of Appeal reconsider its earlier decision in Bedard v Amin, 2010 ABCA 3. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v. Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc. (IMV Projects Inc.), 2018 ABCA 122).

Whitecap Resources Inc.'s $1.7 billion credit facility

Counsel to Whitecap Resources Inc. in its $1.7 billion senior secured credit facility which included the issuance of $195 million senior secured notes

Successful summary dismissal on behalf of an oil and gas company

Counsel to a junior oil and gas exploration company in the successful summary dismissal of an action based on an alleged breach of a confidentiality agreement, upheld by the Court of Appeal. (Beaumont Resources Ltd. v Cardinal Energy Ltd., 2017 ABCA 416).

Whitecap Resources Inc.'s $940 million acquisition of energy assets

Counsel to Whitecap Resources Inc. in the $940 million strategic acquisition of light oil assets in southeast Saskatchewan.

Successful appeal overturning a summary judgment order

Counsel to an oil and gas company in a successful appeal overturning a summary judgment order initially granted on the basis of exclusion clauses in the CAPP-CAODC Master Daywork Contract. (Yangarra Resources Ltd. v Precision Drilling Canada Limited Partnership, 2017 ABCA 378).

Enerflex Ltd.'s acquisition of Mesa Compression, LLC

Counsel to Enerflex Ltd., through the U.S. entity Enerflex Energy Systems Inc., in its US$106 million acquisition of U.S. based contract compression business, Mesa Compression, LLC.

$125 million summary dismissal for contractual damages

Counsel to a major energy producer in the summary and consent dismissal of over $125 million in contractual damage claims under a seismic data license agreement. (Geophysical Service Incorporated v. Suncor Energy Inc.), 2017 ABQB 465

Cardinal Energy Ltd.'s $300 million acquisition of light oil assets

Counsel to Cardinal Energy Ltd. in the $300 million acquisition of light oil assets in the Weyburn/Midale area of southeast Saskatchewan and House Mountain area of Alberta.

Canyon Services Group Inc.'s acquisition by Trican Well Service Ltd.

Counsel to Canyon Services Group in the $637 million acquisition by Trican.

Sale of Marathon Oil Canada Corporation to CNRL

Counsel to Marathon Oil Corporation in the US$2.5 billion sale of Marathon Oil Canada Corporation to Canadian Natural Resources Limited and Shell Canada Energy.

$220 million acquisition of UGR Blair Creek Ltd.

Counsel to UGR Blair Creek Ltd. in its $220 million acquisition by Painted Pony Petroleum Ltd.

Savanna Energy Services Corp.'s hostile takeover defence

Counsel to Savanna Energy Services in the defence of a $450 million hostile takeover bid by Total Energy Services Inc.

Leucrotta Exploration Inc.'s $80 million public offering

Counsel to the underwriters in Leucrotta Exploration Inc.'s $80 million public offering of 33,333,400 common shares.

PetroShale Inc.'s $110 million public offering

Counsel to PetroShale Inc. regarding a $110 million public offering of 122,265,000 common shares.

Spur Resources Ltd.'s $407 million acquisition

Counsel to Spur Resources Ltd. in the $407.5 million acquisition by Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd.

Paramount Resources Ltd.'s merger with Trilogy Energy Corp.

Independent counsel to the special committee of independent directors of Paramount in its $2.8 billion merger and related party transaction with Trilogy completed by plan of arrangement.

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.'s acquisition of royalty rights

Counsel to PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. in the $250 million acquisition of a 4% gross overriding royalty on current and future phases of Lindbergh SAGD thermal oil project from Pengrowth Energy Corporation.

Successful defense in a negligence and breach of contract

Counsel to the Plaintiff in a three-month trial where the defendant engineering company was found to be negligent and in breach of contract in its design of a high-temperature emulsion pipeline near Cold Lake, Alberta. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v.Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc., formerly IMV Projects Inc., 2017 ABQB 106).

Inter Pipeline Ltd.'s $500 million note offering

Counsel to Inter Pipeline Ltd. in a public offering of $500 million senior unsecured medium-term notes.

ARC Resources Ltd. disposition of light oil assets

Counsel to ARC Resources Ltd. in the $700 million strategic disposition of light oil assets in southeast Saskatchewan to Spartan Energy Corp.

Tourmaline Oil Corp.'s $1.3 billion acquisition of energy assets

Counsel to Tourmaline Oil Corp. in the $1.37 billion acquisition of strategic assets located in the Alberta Deep Basin and the north east British Columbia Gundy area from Shell Canada Energy.

RMP Energy Inc.'s disposition of energy assets

Counsel to RMP Energy Inc. in a $114 million disposition of crude oil and natural gas interests in the Ante Creek area of west central Alberta.

Tourmaline Oil Corp.'s $750 million financing

Counsel to Tourmaline Oil Corp in the $750 million financing comprising a $115 million public offering of 3,309,700 subscription receipts and the concurrent private placement offering of 18,274,000 subscription receipts with certain institutional investors for gross proceeds of approximately $635 million

SemCAMS ULC's producer arrangements for condensate gathering and processing

Counsel to SemCAMS ULC in connection with the long-term producer arrangements for a $62 million product to construct condensate gathering and processing facilities at Kaybob.

Inter Pipeline Ltd.'s $600 million public offering

Counsel to Inter Pipeline Ltd. in a $600 million public offering of 22,430,000 subscription receipts.

Petrus Resources Ltd.'s $30 million disposition of oil and gas interests

Counsel to Petrus Resources Ltd. in the $30 million disposition of its oil and natural gas interests in the Peace River area of Alberta to Rising Star Resources Ltd.

Yoho Resources Inc. going private transaction

Counsel to Yoho Resources Inc. in the $30.5 million going private transaction led by One Stone Energy Partners LP.

Murphy Oil Canada Ltd.'s $937 million sale of joint venture interest

Counsel to Murphy Oil Canada Ltd., Canadian subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation, in the $937 million sale of its 5% non-operated working interest in the Syncrude oil sands joint venture to Suncor Energy Inc.

Athabasca Oil Corporation royalty grant to Burgess Energy Holdings LLC

Counsel to Athabasca Oil Corporation in granting a $129 million contingent bitumen royalty to Burgess Energy Holdings LLC.

Freehold Royalties Ltd.'s royalty and land acquisition

Counsel to Freehold Royalties Ltd. in the $165 million acquisition of royalty production and lands from Husky Energy Inc.

Athabasca Oil Corporation's light oil joint venture

Counsel to Athabasca in the $486 million light oil joint venture with Murphy Oil Company Ltd., the Canadian subsidiary to Murphy Oil Corporation, to develop the Duvernay and Montney in the Kaybob area of northwestern Alberta.

$595 million energy asset acquisition by Whitecap Resources Inc.

Counsel to Whitecap Resources Inc. in the $595 million acquisition of premium oil assets in southwest Saskatchewan from Husky Energy Inc.

Raging River Exploration Inc.'s $108 million public offering

Counsel to Raging River Exploration Inc. in a public offering of 12,500,000 common shares, inclusive of an over-allotment of 1,500,000 common shares, for approximate total proceeds of $108 million.

Perpetual Energy Inc.'s restructuring and settlement of convertible debentures

Counsel to Perpetual Energy Inc. regarding recapitalization transactions, including a $25 million backstopped rights offering, settlement of 7.00% convertible debentures and a successfully contested Alberta Securities Commission hearing. (Re Perpetual Energy Inc., 2015 ABASC 2)

SemCAMS ULC's sour gas transportation arrangements

Counsel to SemCAMS ULC in connection with a 10 year extension of existing long-term sour gas transportation arrangements with an investment grade producer on SemCAMS' Northwest Wapiti, Wapiti and Simonette pipeline systems for gas processing at Kaybob South 3 (K3) Plant.

MainSail Energy Ltd.'s $250 million private equity financing

Counsel to MainSail Energy Ltd. in the $250 million private equity financing with Warburg Pincus.

Murphy Oil Canada Ltd.'s disposition of natural gas assets in British Columbia

Counsel to Murphy Oil Canada Ltd., Canadian subsidiary of Murphy Oil Corporation, in the $538 million disposition of the Tupper Main and Tupper West gas plants and associated pipelines in northeastern British Columbia to Enbridge G and P Canada Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Enbridge Inc.

Successful multi-million dollar summary judgment for former CEO

Successfully obtained summary judgment of a multi-million dollar performance share unit claim for a former chief executive officer of a multinational oil and gas corporation.

 

 

$45 million action on behalf of CNRL

Counsel to Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), the owner of a pipeline and related gathering and processing facilities in an $45M action against its engineering, procurement, and construction contractors relating to a 32 km hot emulsion fluid pipeline, which failed after being put into service. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v. Wood Group Mustang (Canada) Inc. (IMV Projects Inc.), 2017 ABQB 106)

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.'s $1.8 billion asset acquisition

Counsel to PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. in $1.8 billion acquisition of royalty assets from Canadian Natural Resources Limited.

Kicking Horse Energy Inc.'s acquisition by ORLEN Upstream Canada Ltd.

Counsel to Kicking Horse Energy Inc. in the $356 million acquisition by ORLEN Upstream Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of PKN ORLEN S.A.

Carmel Bay Exploration Ltd.'s line of credit from Quantum Energy Partners

Counsel to Carmel Bay in the $200 million equity line of credit established from Quantum.

Bellatrix Exploration Ltd. US$250 million note offering

Counsel to Bellatrix Exploration Ltd. in a US$250 million public offering of senior unsecured notes.

Freehold Royalties Ltd.'s $373 million public offering

Counsel to Freehold Royalties Ltd.in its $373 million public offering of 20,700,000 common shares and the $33 million private placement of 1,833,334 common shares.

Freehold Royalties Ltd. $321 million royalties' acquisition

Counsel to Freehold Royalties Ltd. in the $321 million acquisition of two royalty packages from Penn West Petroleum Ltd.

Successful decision before the Alberta Court of Appeal

Counsel to an Alberta corporation in a successful appeal reinstating an action that had been assigned to it by a receiver, but struck by a Judge on the grounds of champerty and maintenance. (1773907 Alberta Ltd v Davidson, 2015 ABCA 150).

Encana Corporation's sale of assets to Ember Resources Inc.

Counsel to Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv Inc.) in the $605 million sale of Clearwater assets in Alberta, including approximately 1.2 million acres of land and over 6800 producing natural gas wells to Ember Resources.

Mullen Group Ltd. acquisition of Gardewine Group Limited Partnership

Counsel to Mullen Group Ltd. in the $172 million acquisition of Manitoba-based Gardewine Group.

Penn West Energy Trust's $10.5 billion conversion to Corporation

Counsel to Penn West Energy Trust with respect to its $10.5 billion conversion to a Corporation, Penn West Petroleum Ltd. completed by statutory plan of arrangement.

$215 million UNCITRAL arbitration

Lead counsel to an Alberta fabrication company in a $215M UNCITRAL Arbitration involving the construction of a gas processing plant. The matters in dispute included allegations of gross negligence, allegations of improper fabrication according to regulatory standards, and delay claims of approximately $200M.

$65 million action against CNRL's steel suppliers

Counsel to Canadian Natural Resources Limited in a $65 million action against CNRL's steel suppliers (including foreign steel suppliers) who procured and supplied defective steel piping for CNRL's utilities and offsite facilities. The action was settled prior to trial. (Canadian Natural Resources v. ArcelorMittal Tubular Products Roman et al).

Represented a major oil sands producer in a dispute against a contractor

Counsel for a major oil sands producer against its EPCM contractor for the faulty design and construction of slab-on-grade foundations for waste water and water processing facilities, after it was discovered that the slabs were shifting.

Tourmaline Oil Corp.'s Peace River High joint venture

Counsel to Tourmaline Oil Corp. in the $500 million Peace River High sale to and joint venture with Canadian Non-Operated Resources LP.

Encana Corporation's $2 billion disposition of assets

Counsel to Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv Inc.) in the $2 billion disposition of its Bighorn assets in Alberta to Jupiter Resources Inc.

Multiple acquisitions by Command Fishing and Pipe Recovery Ltd.

Counsel to Command Fishing and Pipe Recovery Ltd. in the acquisition of three private wireline and fishing companies.

Suncor Energy's sale of assets to Tamarack Acquisition Corp.

Competition counsel to Suncor Energy in the $168.5 million disposition of its Wilson Creek assets located near Rimbey, Alberta to Tamarack Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tamarack Valley Energy Ltd.

Athabasca Oil Corporation's sale of Dover Oil Sands Project

Counsel to Athabasca in the $1.18 billion sale of its 40% interest in the Dover oil sands project to Phoenix Energy Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroChina International Investment Limited.

Parex Resources Inc.'s acquisition of Verano Energy Limited

Counsel to Parex Resources Inc. in the $198 million acquisition of Verano Energy Limited.

Canadian Natural Resources Limited's $3.1 billion acquisition

Counsel to Canadian Natural Resources Limited in its $3.125 billion acquisition of Devon Energy Corp.'s Canadian conventional assets, excluding Horn River and the heavy oil properties.

Spartan Energy Corp. acquisition of Renegade Petroleum Ltd.

Counsel to Renegade Petroleum Ltd. in the $495 million acquisition by Spartan Energy Corp. pursuant to a plan of arrangement.

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd.'s $1.67 billion IPO

Counsel to the underwriters in the initial public offering of PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. of common shares for a total of $1.67 billion conducted by way of secondary offering by Encana Corporation.

Progress Energy Canada Ltd.'s acquisition of energy assets

Counsel to Progress Energy Canada Ltd. in the $1.5 billion acquisition of part of Talisman Energy Ltd.'s Montney acreage in northeast British Columbia.

Baytex Energy Corp.'s $1.5 billion financing

Counsel to Baytex Energy Corp. in its $1.5 billion public offering of 38,433,000 subscription receipts.

Dispute regarding conflict of laws

Counsel to an Alberta corporation in a conflict of laws matter involving issues of international jurisdiction and forum non conveniens. (RBZ Capital Corp. v. Petrol Alchemy LLC, 2014 ABQB 102).

Competition advice for the sale of a conventional natural gas business to CG Energy Canada

Counsel to Suncor Energy in relation to competition and Investment Canada matters in the $1 billion sale by Suncor Energy Inc. of a majority of its conventional natural gas business to CQ Energy, a newly established partnership between Centrica plc and Qatar Petroleum International.

Inter Pipeline Fund conversion to Inter Pipeline Ltd.

Counsel to Inter Pipeline Fund in its conversion to Inter Pipeline Ltd., a dividend paying corporation.

CNOOC Ltd.'s $15 billion acquisition of Nexen Inc.

Counsel to the board of directors of Nexen Inc. in Nexen's $15 billion acquisition by CNOOC Ltd.

Encana Corporation's joint venture to develop Duvernay lands

Counsel to Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv Inc.) in the $2.18 billion acquisition by Phoenix Duvernay Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of PetroChina International Investment Company Limited, of a 49.9% interest in Encana's Duvernay natural gas play in West Central Alberta; at the same time, a joint venture was formed between Encana and Phoenix to develop the properties.

$5.2 billion acquisition of Progress Energy Resources Corp.

Counsel to Progress Energy Resources Corp. in the $5.2 billion acquisition by PETRONAS, the Malaysian national oil company.

Crescent Point Energy Corp.'s $640 million acquisition

Counsel to Wild Stream Exploration Inc. in the $640 million acquisition by Crescent Point Energy Corp.

Encana Corporation's partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation

Counsel to Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv Inc.) in the $2.9 billion partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation whereby Mitsubishi acquired a 40% interest in Encana's natural gas assets in the Cutbank Ridge area in BC.

Progress Energy Resources Corp.'s sale and joint venture with PETRONAS

Counsel to Progress in the $1.1 billion sale of 50% working interest in Montney shale assets in Foothills of north eastern British Columbia to PETRONAS, the Malaysian national oil company, and the formation of an upstream joint venture to develop the gas assets as well as a downstream LNG Export Project Joint Venture pursuant to which they plan to build and operate a major LNG export facility.

Penn West Petroleum Ltd.'s acquisition of Spartan Exploration Ltd.

Counsel to Penn West Petroleum Ltd. in its $222 million acquisition of Spartan Exploration Ltd. and related spin-out of Spartan Oil Corporation completed by statutory plan of arrangement.

Athabasca Oil Corporation's $1.35 billion initial public offering

Counsel to Athabasca Oil Corporation in its $1.35 billion initial public offering of common shares.

Sale of natural gas assets in British Columbia and Alberta

Counsel to a potential bidder on the sale of Enbridge Inc.'s Canadian natural gas gathering and processing business in the Montney, Peace River Arch, Horn River and Liard basins.

Athabasca Oil Sands Corp.'s energy asset sale and joint venture

Counsel to Athabasca Oil Sands Corp. in the $1.9 billion sale of 60% interest in McKay & Dover Oil Sands assets to PetroChina International Investment Company Limited and negotiated related joint venture.

Athabasca Potash Inc.'s proxy contest defence

Counsel to the committee of independent directors of Athabasca Potash Inc. in its defence of a proxy contest and its administration of a contested shareholder meeting, where dissident shareholders sought to replace members of management and the board of directors.

Avista Capital Partners acquisition of Top-Co LP

Counsel to Top-Co LP, a leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of float equipment and accessories servicing the global energy industry, in connection with its sale to Avista Capital Partners, a leading private equity firm.

Bonavista Energy Corporation's $345 million financing

Counsel to Bonavista Energy Corporation in the $345 million public offering of 20,930,000 common shares.

West Valley Energy Corp.'s private equity investment

Counsel to West Valley Energy Corp. in the private equity investment by Warburg Pincus and Kayne Anderson Energy Funds.

US Development Group LLC's joint venture with Gibson Energy

Counsel to US Development Group LLC in its 50/50 joint venture with Gibson Energy to advance the financing, development and construction of a Diluent Recovery Unit in Hardisty, Alberta.

Crown Point Energy Inc.'s proxy contest defense

Counsel to Crown Point Energy Inc. in the successful defense of a proxy contest initiated by a dissident institutional shareholder who requisitioned a shareholder meeting to gain control of Crown Point's board of directors and to defeat Crown Point's US$15 million financing to a private equity investor.

Development of an LNG export project

Counsel to a consortium of limited partners and shareholders on the strategic implications of the joint development agreement on their interests as partners/shareholders and as gas suppliers to the proposed LNG export project.

Encana Corporation's joint venture with ConocoPhillips

Counsel to Encana Corporation (now Ovintiv Inc.) in the $15 billion formation of two 50/50 joint ventures, a Canadian upstream partnership including the Foster Creek and Christina Lake oil sands projects formerly held by Encana, and a US downstream limited liability company including the Wood River and Borger refineries formerly held by ConocoPhillips; counsel to Cenovus Energy Inc. in the renegotiation of the joint venture whereby Cenovus took over the interest of Encana.

Sitka Exploration Ltd.'s investment by ARC Financial Corp.

Counsel to Sitka Exploration Ltd. in a private equity investment by ARC Financial Corp. and certain other investors.

Shell Canada's proposed LNG project at Kitimat

Counsel to Shell Canada in the negotiation of joint venture arrangements between Shell Canada, Korea Oil and Gas Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation and PetroChina Company Limited for the development of an LNG export terminal in Kitimat, British Columbia.

SemCAMS ULC's producer arrangements for sour gas processing plant

Counsel to SemCAMS ULC in connection with long-term producer arrangements for a new 200 mmcf/day sour gas processing plant at 25-67-07W6M.

Sale of Rondo Petroleum Inc.

Counsel to Rondo Petroleum Inc. in its $277 million sale to PetroBakken Energy Ltd. completed by statutory plan of arrangement.

Renegade Petroleum Ltd.'s $420 million strategic acquisitions

Counsel to Renegade Petroleum Ltd. in the financing of a $420 million asset acquisition. The transaction included a plan of arrangement between Renegade Petroleum Ltd. and Canadian Phoenix Resources Corp. (including cash of $75 million), a bought deal offering of 30,104,300 subscription receipts for gross proceeds of $70.1 million and a private placement of 48,619,915 subscription receipts for gross proceeds of $114.3 million.

Raging River Exploration Inc.'s $500 million credit facility

Counsel to Raging River Exploration Inc. on a $500 million senior secured syndicated credit facility.

Raging River Exploration Inc.'s acquisition of Rock Energy Inc.

Counsel to Raging River Exploration Inc. in the $109 million acquisition of Rock Energy Inc. pursuant to a plan of arrangement.

Northern Spirit Resources Inc.'s $25 million investment transaction

Counsel to Northern Spirit Resources Inc. (now Tenaz Energy Corp.) in connection with its recapitalization, reorganization and $25 million investment transaction.

ORLEN Upstream Canada Ltd.'s acquisition of Birchill Exploration LP

Counsel to ORLEN in connection with a $255 million acquisition of Birchill pursuant to a share purchase agreement.

Paramount Resources Ltd.'s $1 billion credit facility

Counsel to the agent and a syndicate of lenders in connection with a $1 billion senior secured credit facility to Paramount Resources Ltd.

Parex Resources Inc.'s $302 million public offering of subscription receipts

Counsel to Parex Resources Inc. in the $302 million public offering of 31,000,000 subscription receipts.

Formation and initial financing of Parex Resources Inc.

Counsel to Petro Andina Resources Inc. in the $500 million acquisition by Pluspetrol Resources Corporation N.V., and formation and initial financing of Parex Resources Inc.

Oil sands and conventional pipeline transportation

Drafting and negotiating numerous long-term and take-or-pay agreements for the transportation of diluted bitumen, condensate and conventional oil ranging in size up to 500,000 b/d on existing pipelines, lateral connections and new-build mainline pipelines.

Straddle plant NGL sales

Drafting and negotiating long-term NGL purchase and sale agreements for straddle plant specification and mixed-product streams.

Suncor Energy's sale of conventional natural gas businesses

Counsel to Suncor Energy in relation to competition and Investment Canada matters in the $1 billion sale by Suncor Energy Inc. of a majority of its conventional natural gas business to CQ Energy, a newly established partnership between Centrica plc and Qatar Petroleum International.

Advising an energy company in a $25 million claim

Counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company in a $25 million claim by a prospective purchaser. The issues include the proper interpretation of an asset purchase agreement, breach of confidence allegations, and the exclusion of consequential losses

Joint venture and operating agreements dispute

Counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company in a multi-million dollar claim and counterclaim arising out of late 13th month adjustments, withholding of payment under various joint venture and operating agreements, and the effect of an assignment and novation.

Advising on a product liability claim

Lead counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company in an $8 million product liability claim in connection with failed fracking equipment.

Energy company's $16 million claim

Lead counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company in a $16 million claim brought by a pipeline construction company to recover cost overruns on a fixed fee contract.

$17 million product liability claim

Lead counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company in a $17 million product liability claim in connection with failed fracking equipment.

Advising E&P company on a product liability claim

Lead counsel to an Alberta exploration and production company on a $10 million product liability case involving the failure during fracturing operations of a coupling attached to a joint of P110 casing.

Dispute regarding abandonment and reclamation

Lead counsel to an Alberta exploration and company that is alleged to be required to pay abandonment and reclamation costs on properties that were assigned to other parties pursuant to purchase and sale agreements.

Multiple oil and gas international acquisitions and dispositions

Counsel to a Calgary based public international oilfield services company in connection with various acquisition and disposition transactions in Mexico, Libya and Brazil.

$96 million stay of arbitration

Counsel in successful application to have a $96 million arbitration stayed. (Canadian Natural Resources Limited v. Flatiron Constructors Canada Limited, 2018 ABQB 613)

Claim involving accusations of negligence

Counsel to an international well engineering company in a claim involving allegations of negligence, the proper interpretation of a Master Services Agreement and the exclusion of consequential losses.

Litigation advice to a group of energy companies

Counsel for a large group of defendant oil and gas companies in obtaining a substantial security for costs award against a seismic company. (Geophysical Service Incorporated v. Encana Corporation, 2015 ABQB 196, var'd 2016 ABQB 49).

Dispute regarding a distribution agreement

Counsel to a leading global insulation manufacturer and its Canadian subsidiary relating to a distribution agreement. The team was successful in obtaining full solicitor-and-own client costs and punitive damages in the amount of $750,000. (2019 ABQB 684).

MEG Energy Corp.'s acquisition of an oil feedstock transportation terminal

Counsel to MEG Energy Corp. in connection with its acquisition of a partially constructed crude oil feedstock transportation terminal and other related assets.

Confidential arbitration with a joint venture partner

Counsel to a publicly listed oil and gas company in a confidential arbitration with its joint venture partner. The dispute raised issues regarding the operator's accounting and involved alleged damages of $70,000,000.

Advising an energy operator in a dispute with its joint venture partner

Counsel to an operator in a $19,000,000 claim brought by its joint venture partner alleging that it misallocated gas and condensate volumes from joint wells at its gas processing facility.

Advising in a case that involved the impact of limitation periods

Lead counsel to a syndicate of working interest owners in sour and sweet gas facilities. The action involved allocations of produced substances and the impact of limitation periods.

Advising CNRL in an employment dispute

Counsel to one of the defendants, and was successful in having the action struck pursuant to Rule 3.68 and Civil Practice Note 7. (Freeman v. University of Alberta, 2021 ABQB 612)

Successfully represented the defendant in employment litigation

Counsel to the defendant in obtaining a court order (for security for costs) resulting in the plaintiff's claim being dismissed. (Freeman v Canadian Natural Resources Limited, 2018 ABQB 310)

Advising Enerflex Ltd. in a wrongful dismissal claim by an employee

Successfully represented the defendant in a wrongful dismissal and loss of benefits claims by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs' claim was struck in its entirety on the grounds that there was no genuine issue for trial, portions of the claim were issue estopped from proceeding, and certain elements of a cause of action were not sufficiently plead. (Cabot v. Enerflex, 2020 MC).

Advising the respondent in an alleged discrimination case

Successfully represented the respondent in a claim for alleged discrimination under the Alberta Human Rights Act. Following an Alberta Human Rights Commission Tribunal hearing the complaint was struck as the Commission had no jurisdiction due to the complainant entering into a valid and enforceable release and settlement agreement with the respondent. (Cabot v. Enerflex, 2019 AHRC 1).

Advising Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. in an employment-related dispute

Successfully represented the defendant in obtaining a court order striking the damages portion of the plaintiff's claim on the grounds that such portions of the claim were statute barred by virtue of the Workers Compensation Act. (LL v. Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., 2018 ABQB 879)

Transmountain expansion project reconsideration proceeding before the NEB

Counsel to the Government of Alberta in respect of the expedited Trans Mountain Expansion Project reconsideration hearing.

Dispute over a pipeline failure

Counsel to upstream producer regarding claims of approximately $450 million arising from the failure of buried, high temperature pipe-in-pipe pipelines.

Gas transmission agreement dispute

Counsel to a corporation involved in a dispute about termination of a raw gas transmission agreement.

Successfully secured a stay of arbitration

Counsel to upstream producer that successfully obtained a stay of an arbitration for long delay.

Advice to a producer on a contract dispute

Counsel to upstream producer relating to pricing of heavy crude in purchase and sale contracts.

$100 million arbitration dispute

Counsel to energy company in litigation regarding claims of approximately $100 million arising from the failure mechanically stabilized earth walls holding thickener tanks. Involved successful application to have a concurrent arbitration stayed.

$600 million commercial lease termination

Counsel to an international energy company in a $600 million action concerning termination of a long-term commercial lease.

Advising an energy company in a billion dollar arbitration

Counsel to an energy company in a billion-dollar arbitration arising under a profit-sharing agreement.

Action by New York hedge funds as former unsecured noteholder

Counsel to the former directors of Lightstream Resources Ltd. in a lawsuit brought by New York hedge funds as former unsecured noteholders.

Successful summary dismissal application for Bellatrix Exploration Corp.

Counsel to Bellatrix Exploration Corp. in a successful summary dismissal application of claims arising under three joint venture agreements.

Multiple Acquisitions and Dispositions by Crew Energy Inc.

Counsel to Crew Energy Inc. in multiple corporate acquisitions and various asset dispositions. 

Crew Energy Inc.'s Senior Debt Offerings

Counsel to Crew Energy Inc. in multiple bond offerings including its most recent private offering of $300 million in senior unsecured notes.

Multiple Public Offerings and Private Placement Financings by PHX Energy Services Corp.

Counsel to PHX Energy Services Corp. in respect of multiple public offerings and private placements of Common Shares.

Strad Inc.'s Going Private Transaction

Counsel to Strad Inc. in its management led going private transaction.

Artis Exploration Ltd.'s Start Up Transaction and Multiple Equity Financings

Counsel to Artis Exploration Ltd. in its start up transaction and multiple private equity financings including the $180 million private equity financing with Warburg Pinus LLC.

Artek Exploration Ltd.'s Merger with Kelt Exploration Ltd.

Counsel to Artek Exploration Ltd. in its $300 million business combination with Kelt Exploration Ltd.

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