The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 25, 2008

By Anundra M. Dillon As previously reported, the Louisiana Supreme Court held that Act 312 of 2006 is constitutional and reversed the district court’s judgment declaring Act 312 unconstitutional and unenforceable under La. Const. art. V, § 16, La. Const. art. I, § 4 and the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. M.J. Farms, Ltd. v. Exxon Mobil Corp. , 2007-2371 (La. 7/1/08); _ So. 2d _.

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The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 24, 2008

by John Almy. Grand Isle Shipyard Inc. v. Seacor Marine, LLC (5th Cir. 2008) The 5th Circuit reversed a Louisiana District Court decision that held a platform worker’s injuries, sustained while being transported from platform to platform by vessel, were subject to the Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act through the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

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The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

by: April L. Rolen-Ogden Currently, the talk of the town in North Louisiana is the “Haynesville Shale.” Experts describe this mineral formation “as one of the richest fields of natural gas ever discovered in this region.” Technically speaking, the Haynesville Shale is defined as “a layer of sedimentary rock more than 10,000 feet below the surface.” The Shreveport Times reports that “[a]t least 40 rigs are running now and 70 or more are to be in place by the end of next year.

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The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Speaker Pelosi’s Energy Bill, H.R. 6899, titled “Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act.” Title I addresses the existing moratoria, future OCS access, exploration, production and royalty questions. Below is a synopsis of the bill. Subtitle A codifies the existing annual appropriations moratoria, puts a permanent ban on leasing and pre-leasing activities, allows lease sales in the Atlantic and Pacific OCS Planning Areas (1

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Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

Waste

The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 12, 2008

By Jonathan Hunter: In a highly anticipated decision, the Tenth Circuit held this week that the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over a qui tam action filed by an MMS auditor concerning royalty payments on crude oil produced from offshore federal leases. The district court had dismissed the case on the grounds that the auditor, who received relevant information from an employee of the State of Louisiana, was not the “original source” of the information on which the claim was based.

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The Energy Law

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008

The Environmental Protection Agency announced several updates to its Audit Policy this month that promise to make the system more convenient for users and more forgiving for new owners of regulated facilities. Since 1995, EPA’s Audit Policy has given incentives including reduced civil penalties and a recommendation of no criminal sanctions to companies that self-disclose environmental violations.

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