Industries & Practices

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

    With statewide connectivity and on-the-ground experience, we provide creative and practical solutions to the oil and gas industry. 

    With a recent focus on the Marcellus and Utica Shale boom in Appalachia, our attorneys utilize decades of experience to address new and complicated legal, regulatory and policy issues involving the shale boom in Ohio and the surrounding states.

    Types of clients we represent:

    • Midstream/pipeline companies
    • Exploration and production companies
    • National oil and gas trade associations
    • Financial institutions
    • Public and private landowners
    • Real estate developers
    • Electric generation facilities 

    "In my time with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Bricker & Eckler proved to be a breath of fresh air in the oil and gas space. "

    Bricker client as quoted in Best Law Firms, 2019

    Areas of Focus

    Midstream/Pipelines

    The issues that appear throughout pipeline projects frequently require sophisticated counsel and immediate attention. Bricker attorneys are known to be at the forefront of this ever-changing area of law, working with clients to foresee and resolve issues that arise during the permitting, construction, operation and maintenance of interstate and intrastate pipelines (and associated infrastructure), processing facilities and storage facilities.

    Real Estate/Land Use/Due Diligence

    We regularly work through the real estate and land-use challenges posed by the construction of electric generation facilities, natural gas pipelines, cellular towers and wind turbines in Ohio and surrounding states. As part of the land acquisition phase of such projects, we complete real estate transactional due diligence (including coordination and review of real estate title and survey work), resolve complicated and unique title curative matters, and prepare and negotiate a variety of transactional documents (including oil and gas leases, easements, road use maintenance agreements (RUMAs) and traditional real estate documents). Our team also addresses complex real and personal property tax issues, environmental and regulatory challenges. 

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    Litigation

    We have experience in various oil and gas litigation matters including eminent domain proceedings and appellate work before Ohio’s intermediate appellate courts and the Ohio Supreme Court. Our firm is also a leader in resolving mineral rights ownership disputes, oil and gas lease disputes, coal and pipeline company disputes, nuisance and trespass claims involving water supply or property contamination, and class action litigation matters involving energy companies. 

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    Regulatory

    We are actively involved in Ohio’s regulatory arena. Our team, which includes a former commissioner of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) and former Master Commissioner of Public Utility Law for the Ohio Supreme Court, regularly appears before state agencies such as the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Power Siting Board, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Review Appeals Commission and PUCO.

    Government Relations

    The lawyer-lobbyists at Bricker have longstanding relationships with public officials within all levels and branches of government. As a result, we do more than just help our oil and gas clients understand existing laws and regulations; we are able to effectively present their viewpoints, advance their interests and use legislation and rulemaking as a problem-solving tool.

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    Southeast Ohio

    Bricker’s close proximity to the greater Appalachian Ohio area allows the firm to develop strong and deep relationships with many local attorneys, businesses and organizations. Attorneys in our Marietta and Barnesville offices have unique on-the-ground experience and provide our clients with practical solutions.

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    Best Lawyers Award Badge