Shut-In Provisions: Maintaining Leasehold in a Low-Price Environment
The language of a shut-in royalty clause in an oil and gas lease is a “creature of contract” that determines when and how a lessee may shut-in... Read More
Texas’ First Purchaser Statute Only Has Teeth in Texas
This year, global oil markets experienced a significant surplus of supply over demand for oil, near-record domestic production and a global demand shock brought forth by the coronavirus containment measures. The imbalance between a... Read More
Inactive Wells: Will You Be Left Holding the Bag?
Non-operators may be left holding the bag when it comes to inactive wells. In some cases where an operator files for bankruptcy, Texas law states that non-operators may be responsible for plugging an inactive well. Failure to... Read More
Save American Vital Energy Jobs Act
On June 23, 2020, United States Senator for Texas, John Cornyn, introduced the SAVE Jobs Act, to assist the American energy sector... Read More
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Paid Sick Leave
One of the Federal Government’s responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic was the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA is a response to the growing need to support families with wage... Read More
Bankruptcy Protection Tailored for Small Businesses
The Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA), effective as of February 19, 2020, was enacted to provide Main Street business debtors... Read More
Overtime Payments & the Fluctuating Workweek
In the COVID-19 era it is more important than ever for employers to understand the workplace and the rules and guidelines that govern it. Employees are working a varied number of hours from week-to-week,... Read More
Royalty and Suspension Relief in Response to COVID-19
On April 21, 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued interim guidance providing for federal lease royalty reductions and suspensions... Read More
Recalling and Rehiring Employees During COVID-19
As businesses slowly resume normal operations and the economy gradually recovers in the wake of COVID-19, many companies will experience increased demand, which translates into an increased need for labor. To meet demand, companies are likely to recall employees... Read More
The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
On June 4, 2020, Congress passed a bill called the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020, which amended the federal Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP... Read More