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ExxonMobil Strikes Back: Energy Companies Take a More Proactive Approach to Activist ESG Shareholders
ExxonMobil has filed proceedings in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas against two shareholders, alleging that proposals seeking an increased pace for reductions in emissions amount to “intrusion” into ExxonMobil's ordinary business operations and should not...
Nigeria’s Energy Sector: Looking Back at 2023 and Looking Ahead in 2024
We summarise the key events from 2023 in Nigeria’s energy sector – a year that saw the start of a new presidency and the end of the fuel subsidy. There was considerable M&A activity, significant legal developments and court rulings...
Federal Contractors Beware: New Hiring Restrictions Proposed on Companies Doing Business With the Federal Government
Earlier this week, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council proposed a new rule that would amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to impose new restrictions on federal contractors and subcontractors, including: (1) prohibiting, seeking or considering an applicant’s compensation history; (2)...
The Sanctioned Lenders Problem
Bracewell’s Jason Fox and Rory Wilson examine how recent events, such as the war in Ukraine and the designation of certain financial institutions as sanctioned entities, have caused sponsors and lenders to re-evaluate the sanctions provisions in their facility agreements.
Deals in Africa: 10 Things to Watch in 2024
Bracewell’s Darren Spalding and Adam Blythe collaborated with Energy Voice to produce a piece on trends to watch for in African M&A in 2024, as M&A remains an important means for oil and gas companies to access new reserves and opportunities, despite the challenges.
Foreign Direct Investment in the United Arab Emirates: Trends and Predictions for 2024
Bracewell’s Kasia Lebiecki and Amelia Bowring delve into the current and anticipated FDI trends in the UAE, shedding light on the factors that have propelled it to the forefront of global investment opportunities, while also sharing their predictions for 2024.
Expert Determination in the Energy Sector – When Will the Courts Intervene?
It is not uncommon for parties to agree that certain disputes should be referred to an expert for determination. However, when those disputes arise, the parties may disagree about the scope of the exercise to be carried out by the...
Treasury and IRS Issue Proposed Regulations With Respect to Clean Hydrogen Credits Under Sections 45V and 48 of the Internal Revenue Code
On December 22, 2023, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing containing proposed regulations (Proposed Regulations) with respect to Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as...
DOJ and FTC Finalize New Merger Guidelines
On December 18, 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued the final version of new merger review guidelines (Merger Guidelines), five months after the agencies published a draft for public comment. The new 2023...
Natural Resources: Renewable Energy
Bracewell’s Taylor Stuart , Joshua Robichaud and Catherine McCarthy recently contributed a chapter on renewable energy for the American Bar Association’s Recent Developments in Infrastructure and Regulated Industries 2023 . This chapter provides a high-level summary of notable developments in...
Navigating Compliance Trends With a Roadmap to a Corporate Culture of Integrity
The Department of Justice has published — and continues to update and emphasize — a set of practical guidelines on what it views as an effective compliance program and how it makes decisions about bringing charges and evaluating resolutions. Companies...
The Investment Tax Credit for Offshore Wind Projects: A Second Look at the Proposed Regulations Under Section 48
On November 22, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department released proposed regulations (the Proposed Regulations) relating to the investment tax credit (the ITC) under Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The...
Third Circuit Provides Guidance on Reviewability of Constructive Approvals Resulting From FERC Deadlocks in PJM Focused-MOPR Appeal
On December 1, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that outcomes by operation of law caused by deadlocks among the members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) are judicially reviewable as final...
Crystal Ball Gazing – Are There Calmer Waters in the Offshore Wind Sector in 2024?
2023 seems to have been a perfect storm for the offshore wind industry around the globe. Between permitting delays and grid connection hurdles, inflation and supply chain challenges all have led to some developers wanting to renegotiate their previously agreed...
Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill: Energy Security at the Forefront of the Government’s Legislative Agenda
On 7 November 2023, the Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill (the Bill ) was announced as part of King Charles III’s “King’s Speech”, outlining the UK Government’s legislative agenda for the upcoming UK parliamentary session. If enacted, the Bill would require...