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HEAD OF  DIVISION





OIL&GAS  MINING

Energy & Mining

Energy powers our world, making it a vital and complex industry in which to conduct business.




Global Energy Industry

Energy issues present tremendous challenges and opportunities in both the fuels and power segments of the global energy industry. As regulators and policymakers reshape the global energy landscape of tomorrow, industry stakeholders must be prepared to confront historic and novel regulatory issues in order to capitalize on today s unprecedented opportunities in the fuels and power sectors.

The energy sector has five main characteristics. First, it is capital intensive. Second, it is specialized. Third, the energy sector is sensitive to variations of the price of commodities. Fourth, the sector is heavily regulated. Fifth, it is directly dependent on government take and governments tend to change the rules of the game depending on their needs. These characteristics make the energy sector a strong candidate for major disputes.

We represent energy clients in disputes over patents, environmental claims and investigations, regulatory, contract, tax and tariff stabilization, price review, operation of hardship provisions, and business tort issues in court cases, regulatory proceedings, and international arbitrations. We operate seamlessly across all our offices to deliver coordinated advice and representation in regulatory and legislative matters, litigation and arbitration, and transactional work that maximizes value for our broad range of clients.

McAllister, Davis & Goldstein has a vibrant energy practice representing an array of clients on transactions that span the globe. Lawyers in our energy practice have experience in oil, gas and petrochemicals; biofuels and renewable energy; and electric power.

Comprehensive Expertise

Our experience and successes span the vast landscape. Our lawyers provide businesses, investors and lenders across the energy arena with pragmatic, actionable legal advice addressing the range of issues they confront. We offer a global approach geared towards the satisfaction of our clients strategic goals.
Our approach is based on a full understanding of the underlying technical issues. It focuses on the goal to be reached and the shortest and most efficient way to reach it.

The lawyers are experienced in closing deals in a variety of situations, including restructuring workouts (both in and out of) bankruptcy and virtually any transaction structure that our clients wish to pursue.
Our diverse client base includes companies that develop, produce, transport, process and market energy.

We offer mining companies a spectrum of legal services from project financing to permitting for major developments. We advise our clients on exploration and production activities, refining and marketing of oil and its derivatives, pipelines and other related infrastructure, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas to liquids (GTL) projects, as well as on the myriad structural and contractual relationships used in the oil, gas and petrochemical industry.

Regional Expertise

We consistently handle a wide spectrum of complex transactions in Latin America, Russia, many other emerging countries and the US. The firm s international presence gives McAllister, Davis & Goldstein exceptional cross-border capabilities, as well as local law capacity in key markets.

President Donald Trump
Policy to unlock and fully utilize the natural resources

 
U.S. Presidential Memorandum
Withdrawal of all areas from offshore wind leasing

 
Alaska

Fully utilize the natural resources


Executive Order
issued by the President
of the United States

BELINDA KAUFMANN - NEW YORK

The executive order outlines a comprehensive policy to unlock and fully utilize the natural resources in Alaska.

The overarching goal is to bolster national prosperity, enhance economic security, and ensure long-term energy independence by leveraging Alaska s vast but largely untapped resources, such as energy, minerals, timber, and seafood.

The order underscores the importance of these resources in not only raising the prosperity of Alaska s residents but also contributing to the broader U.S. economy by creating high-quality jobs, reducing trade imbalances, and reinforcing the nation s energy dominance on the global stage. Additionally, it aims to reduce vulnerabilities linked to geopolitical conflicts where foreign powers might manipulate energy supplies.
The President argues that in order to capitalize on this potential, it is essential to end the restrictions placed on Alaska's ability to develop its resources. This includes reversing punitive measures that the previous administration had imposed, which specifically targeted resource extraction on both state and federal lands in Alaska.
The executive order s
specific policies focus on:
 Maximizing Resource Development: The U.S. will fully engage in the development of Alaska s lands and resources for the benefit of both the nation and Alaska s citizens. This includes all forms of natural resources, especially energy resources such as oil and natural gas.

Efficient Resource Extraction: The order mandates the efficient and effective development of both state and federal lands in Alaska, facilitating the extraction and production of energy, minerals, and other natural resources.

Expedited Permitting and Leasing: The President directs agencies to speed up the permitting process and leasing of energy and natural resource projects in Alaska, ensuring that projects move forward quickly and without unnecessary bureaucratic delay.

Prioritization of LNG Development: The order stresses the importance of advancing the development of Alaska s liquefied natural gas (LNG) potential. This includes both domestic use and exportation to allied nations, particularly those in the Pacific region, contributing to energy security and economic growth.

Section 3 of the order outlines specific actions that various federal agencies are required to take:
Rescinding or Revising Restrictions: The heads of executive departments are instructed to take all available steps to rescind or revise any regulations, policies, or orders that are inconsistent with the new development goals outlined in the policy. This includes regulations adopted during the previous administration between January 2021 and January 2025.

Prioritizing LNG Development: Special focus is given to the Alaska LNG project. Agencies are directed to prioritize the development of necessary infrastructure, including pipeline construction and export facilities, and to expedite related permits.

Actions by the Secretary of the Interior: The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with specific actions to undo restrictions on resource development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This includes:

Withdrawing Orders: The Secretary is instructed to withdraw or revise several key orders that had temporarily halted oil and gas exploration in the ANWR, particularly those related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program.

Rescinding Lease Cancellations: Any cancellation of leases within the ANWR, which had been made by the previous administration, should be revisited, with new leasing programs and exploration permits being issued.

Reinstating Environmental Impact Statements: The Secretary is also tasked with reinstating certain environmental impact statements from previous years that support the leasing and exploration programs in the Arctic.

Temporary Moratorium: A temporary moratorium is placed on certain activities granted under the December 2024 decision related to the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program. This moratorium allows the administration to review and reassess the legal and environmental aspects of the decision.

The overall thrust of the order is to reverse previous regulatory actions that restricted resource development in Alaska, particularly in sensitive areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and to push forward a national strategy that prioritizes energy independence and security through resource extraction in Alaska. The order stresses the importance of balancing national security interests with environmental considerations, and it seeks to make Alaska s energy resources a critical component of the nation's energy infrastructure and global economic position.

In conclusion, the executive order is a decisive move to facilitate the responsible development of Alaska's natural resources, particularly focusing on energy resources such as oil and LNG, while overturning restrictive policies that were seen as impediments to growth. The actions outlined aim to reinforce the U.S.'s economic and national security, ensuring long-term stability and energy dominance.
   Belinda Kaufmann
    Energy & Mining

   
  b.kaufmann@mdg-lawyers.com
U.S. Offshore Wind Leasing
Presidential Memorandum

BELINDA KAUFMANN - NEW YORK

Presidential Memorandum by President Donald Trump addresses a temporary withdrawal of all areas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) from offshore wind leasing.

The primary goal is to ensure responsible public stewardship, taking into account various factors like marine life, ocean currents, energy costs, and the protection of industries such as fishing. The order, issued on January 20, 2025, directs the following actions:

The President temporarily withdraws all areas within the OCS from consideration for wind energy leasing. This includes areas already withdrawn, extending the existing withdrawal starting January 21, 2025, until the memorandum is revoked.
This withdrawal halts new or renewed offshore wind energy leasing for electricity generation or other related purposes, but it does not affect leases for oil, gas, minerals, or conservation. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with reviewing the environmental, economic, and legal considerations surrounding existing wind energy leases in the withdrawn areas. A report with recommendations will be submitted to the President.

Cessation of New Approvals: In response to legal concerns regarding the federal wind leasing and permitting process, including potential harm to national security, commercial interests, and marine life, a temporary cessation is imposed on issuing new or renewed permits, leases, or loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects.

Comprehensive Review: A thorough review of federal wind leasing and permitting practices will be conducted. The review will assess the environmental impacts, particularly on wildlife like birds and marine mammals, as well as the economic costs of intermittent electricity generation and the effect of subsidies on the industry. The Secretary of the Interior will lead this review, consulting with other key agencies such as the Treasury, Agriculture, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Temporary Moratorium on Lava Ridge Wind Project: The memorandum addresses concerns about the Bureau of Land Management s Record of Decision (ROD) regarding the Lava Ridge Wind Project. The Secretary of the Interior is instructed to impose a temporary moratorium on all activities related to this project, including rights of way and development operations, pending a comprehensive review of the environmental and public interest impacts.

Legal Actions: The Attorney General may notify courts with jurisdiction over wind leasing and permitting litigation and request that litigation be delayed or stayed, pending the completion of the comprehensive review.

The memorandum temporarily halts offshore wind leasing, suspends new federal approvals for wind projects, and mandates a broad review of the environmental and economic impacts of wind energy development. It seeks to address legal and environmental concerns while ensuring that any future wind energy projects align with public interest and responsible stewardship.
   Belinda Kaufmann
    Energy & Mining

   
 b.kaufmann@mdg-lawyers.com