Recent News
January 2026
LSU Law student wins writing competition
LSU Law student Hannah Roppolo won the Association of International Energy Negotiators’ student writing competition for her paper, Equal Credits, Unequal Recognition: The Emerging Policy Mismatch Between U.S. §45Q Reforms and EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The award was announced on January 8, 2026.
Professor speaks on carbon capture and storage
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic of carbon capture and storage at the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in Alexandria, Louisiana on January 8, 2026.
December 2025
Professor speaks at LSU CLE
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Mineral Rights” at LSU Law School’s Recent Developments Continuing Legal Education (CLE) event in Covington, Louisiana on December 12, 2025.
Professor participates in Louisiana Law Institute meeting
Professor Keith Hall participated in a meeting of the Louisiana Law Institute’s Water Code Committee on December 11, 2025.
Professor presents for webinar on carbon capture and storage
Professor Keith Hall and Myles P. Culhane of Oxy Low Carbon Solutions spoke on “Contracting for Pore Space Rights and Local Opposition to CCS” for a webinar hosted by the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law on December 9, 2025.
Professor presents at Legislative Legal Seminar
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Carbon Capture and Storage” at the Legislative Legal Seminar on December 5, 2025 at the Louisiana State Legislature.
Professor participates in energy law organization meeting
Professor Keith Hall participated in the Winter Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL). He serves on the Board by virtue of being FNREL’s Treasurer. The meeting took place on December 4, 2025 in Denver, Colorado.
Interdisciplinary team publishes white paper on CCS
LSU Law Professor Keith Hall served as the lead for an interdisciplinary team of LSU researchers who recently published a white paper on carbon capture and storage issues. The other members of the interdisciplinary team included Greg Upton, Jr. of the LSU Center for Energy Studies, Daniel Keniston of the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business, and Joanna Walker of the LSU Center for Energy Studies. The white paper is titled, “Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Carbon Sequestration Fee Structures.” The white paper is available here. It was published on December 1, 2025.
This white paper examines the legal and regulatory issues that arise when developing carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, with a focus on Louisiana and comparisons to broader U.S. practices. Because CCS requires injecting carbon dioxide deep underground, operators must secure rights to use subsurface pore space—an area of law that is still evolving and differs in key ways from traditional oil and gas activity. The paper explains why CCS developers need legal rights to pore space, touching on foundational property law concepts like the ad coelum doctrine and the risk that migration of injected CO₂ beyond a project boundary might constitute a subsurface trespass. It reviews the types of agreements used to obtain pore space rights (e.g., leases, servitudes) and the compensation models associated with them. It also discusses statutory tools—such as unitization and eminent domain—that may be used when private agreements with all landowners cannot be reached.
The work was funded by a grant from the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation, which recently became the a sub-unit of the new LSU Energy Institute.
November 2025
Professor makes presentation on orphan well issues at National Academies meeting
Professor Keith Hall participated in an “Orphaned Wells Meeting” hosted by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies on November 19, 2025 in Houston, Texas. He made a presentation on orphan well issues that are unique to Louisiana, such as coastal land loss causing some wells that originally were located on land being now underwater.
Professor participates in panel discussion of carbon capture and storage in D.C., meets with supporters of LSU’s Energy Law Center
Professor Keith Hall served as one of the speakers for a panel discussion of carbon capture and storage. The discussion was sponsored by the Oil & Gas Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. The event was entitled “A Tale of Two States: CCS Project Development in Louisiana and Texas–A Comparison.” It was held on November 13, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
The panel discussion was held late in the afternoon on November 13. Earlier in the day, Professor Hall held a series of four meetings with supporters of LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center.
Professor speaks at energy litigation conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on Recent Developments in Energy Law at the Institute for Energy Law’s 24th Annual Energy Litigation Conference on November 4, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
Professor Keith Hall speaks at Institute for Energy Law’s Annual Energy Litigation Conference in Houston on Nov. 4, 2025
October 2025
Former Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources speaks at Law Center
Tyler Gray, who served as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources spoke to LSU Law students on October 28, 2025. The Department was renamed to be the Department of Energy and Natural Resources while Gray was Secretary, and more recently the it became the Department of Conservation and Energy. Gray now serves as leader of the Energy Innovation group within the LSU Energy Institute.
LSU opens newly constructed space for John P. Laborde Energy Law Center
On October 23, LSU held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of newly constructed space for the John P. Laborde Energy Law Center.
Cliff Laborde, son of John P. Laborde prepares to cut ribbon, while (left to right) Karen Soniat, Professor Keith Hall, John Nesser, and Dean Caprice Roberts stand with him
LSU hosts Liskow & Lewis Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture
LSU Law School’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center hosted the 11th Annual Liskow & Lewis Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture on the evening of October 23, 2025. Professor Joe Schremmer of the University of Oklahoma College of Law spoke on the topic, “Subterranean Siblings: Rivalry and Harmony Between Carbon Sequestration and Hydrocarbon Extraction.”
Professor Joe Schremmer delivers Annual Liskow & Lewis Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture before a large crowd in LSU’s Robinson Courtroom
Professor lectures at 42nd Annual Oil & Gas Short Course in Colorado
Professor Keith Hall gave two lectures at the 42nd Annual Oil & Gas Law Short Course on October 21, 2025 in Westminster, Colorado, just outside of Denver. The subject of the first lecture was “Implied Covenants in Oil & Gas Leases.” The subject of the second lecture was “Conservation Regulation.”
Professor gives guest lecture to University of West Indies oil and gas law class
Professor Keith Hall gave a guest lecture via video conference to an oil and gas law class at the University of West Indies on October 14, 2025. The lecture covered the rule of capture, pooling, and unitization.
Professor speaks at conference in Houston and LSU Law student attends
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Contracting for Produced Water Disposal” at the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) conference on “Oil & Gas Commercial Contracts: Goods, Services, and People.” The conference was held October 9-10, 2025 in Houston, with Professor Hall speaking on the second day. LSU Law student Emily Hunt attended the conference.
LSU Law student Emily Hunt, FNREL President Joel Benson, and Professor Keith Hall at Oil & Gas Contracts conference in Houston
Professor Hall speaking at oil and gas contracts conference in Houston
Energy law professor and 27 students attend conference in Lexington
Professor Keith Hall and 27 LSU Law students attended the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Fall Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky on October 7-9, 2025. LSU had more students at the conference than any other law school. Professor Hall serves on the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Trustees Council.
Professor Keith Hall and 27 LSU Law students at conference in Lexington, Kentucky
LSU Journal of Energy Law & Resources Symposium recognized as Law Student Program of the Year
The American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy & Resources (ABA SEER) announced that it is recognizing a symposium organized by the LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources (JELR) as the Law Student Program of the Year. The symposium was held on January 31, 2025, and was entitled “Critical Minerals: From Mining to Markets, Legal and Policy Challenges in the Global Race for Critical Minerals.” ABA SEER will present an award to a JELR representative at ABA SEER’s annual conference in October 2025.
Energy law professor moderates panel on CCS
LSU Law Professor Keith Hall moderated a panel discussion of legal issues relating to carbon capture and storage at a Louisiana Energy Research Symposium hosted by the LSU Center for Energy Studies on October 3, 2025 at the LSU Energy, Coast & Environment Building. Panel members included State Representative Shane Mack from Livingston Parish, Michael Brassett (an LSU Law alumnus) of Bradley Murchison, Justin Marooco (an LSU Law alumnus) of Jones Walker, and Colleen Jarrott of Hinshaw Culbertson.
September 2025
Professor speaks on two topics at international oil and gas law conference
Professor Keith Hall made two presentations at the two-week Short Course on International Oil & Gas Law, Contracts, and Negotiations in Houston, Texas. The first presentation was “Unconventional Resource Development” and the second was “Crude Oil Marketing.” The Short Course has students from Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Guyana, India, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Qatar, Spain, and the United States. Professor Hall made both presentations on September 29, 2025. LSU played a major role at the conference. The other speakers at the international oil and gas law conference included LSU almuni Harry W. Sullivan, William W. Pugh, Phil Cascio, and Andrew Melsheimer.
Energy law professor gives guest lecture to petroleum engineering students
Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law alumnus Blake Canfield, who serves as Executive Counsel of the Louisiana Department of Energy & Natural Resources, gave a guest lecture to LSU petroleum engineering students on September 29, 2025 regarding legal issues relating to carbon capture and storage. Professor Hall spoke to the students via video from Houston, where he was present for a conference.
Mineral Law Institute Advisory Council meets
LSU’s Mineral Law Institute Advisory Council met on September 26, 2025 to plan the agenda for the 73rd Annual Mineral Law Institute, which will be held at LSU School on March 19-20, 2026.
Professor speaks on “Mineral Rights” at LSU CLE series
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Mineral Rights” at LSU’s Recent Developments continuing legal education seminars in Bossier City on September 25, and in Lake Charles on September 18, 2025.
Energy Law Center hosts guest lecturers from La. DEQ
Several representatives of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality visited LSU Law School to speak at a lunchtime event hosted by the John P. Laborde Energy Law Center on September 16, 2025. The speakers included DEQ Undersecretary Theresa C. Delafosse (an LSU Law alumnus) and DEQ Executive Counsel Je ne’ Clayton spoke and then fielded questions. DEQ Press Secretary Meagan Molter also answered questions. In addition, DEQ Secretary Courtney J. Burdette (an LSU Law alumnus) attended the event to meet students and faculty who came to the meeting.
Resources for the Future publishes reports co-authored by LSU Law students
Resources for the Future (RFF) recently published two reports that were co-authored by LSU Law students whose work was supported by LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center. One of the reports was “How Long Does It Take? National Environmental Policy Act Timelines and Outcomes for Clean Energy Projects,” which is available here. It was authored by Arthur G. Fraas (a visiting fellow at RFF), Emily Joiner (a research associate at RFF), and two LSU Law students, Brielle Lee and Krystal Liu. The other recently-published report is “Taking Green Energy Projects to Court: NEPA Review and Court Challenges to Renewable Energy,” which is available here. It was authored by the Mr. Fraas, Ms. Joiner, and the same two LSU Law students, Brielle Lee and Krystal Liu.
Ms. Lee and Ms. Liu were summer interns at RFF under a program of LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center, which pays a stipend for LSU Law students who work during the summer in an otherwise unpaid position that will provide them with valuable experience relevant to a career in energy law. Brielle Lee is now in her final year at LSU Law School. Ms. Liu has transferred to George Washington University. RFF is a non-profit think tank dedicated to researching issues relating to natural resources and energy law.
Professor attends FNREL Board meeting in Denver
Professor Keith Hall attended the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) in his capacity as Treasurer of FNREL. He presented a Treasurer’s report at teh meeting, which was held on September 9, 2025 in Denver.
Professor appears on Energy Law This Week podcast
Professor Keith Hall joined LSU Law alumni Matt Jones and April Rolen-Ogden of Liskow, hosts of the Energy Law This Week podcast, in a podcast episode entitled “Clearing the Air: Carbon Capture and Sequestration in the New Era.” The episode discusses carbon capture and sequestration (also known as “carbon capture and storage” or “CCS”), and how passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will affect CCS. They also discussed how the new legislation might affect development of renewable energy projects. The podcast episode became available on September 3, 2025 here.
August 2025
Energy Center holds orientation session
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center held its annual orientation and information session for students interested in joining the Law School’s Energy Certificate program.
Professor testifies at hearing
Professor Keith Hall testified at a Department of Energy & Natural Resources hearing in Plaquemines, Louisiana on the application of Exxon Low Carbon Solutions Onshore for a Class V permit to drill a stratigraphic test well on August 12, 2025.
July 2025
Energy law professor speaks at conference in Guyana
Professor Keith Hall spoke on several international oil and gas law topics in Georgetown, Guyana at the GuyanaOGEC 2025 Oil & Gas and Energy Business Conference on July 29 & 30, 2025. The topics he spoke on were: (1) oil & gas business fundamentals; (2) host country agreements that grant oil and gas exploration and development rights; (3) anti-corruption laws; and (4) environmental, health, safety, and human rights laws.
Professor participates in panel discussion of CCS
Professor Keith Hall served on a panel discussing carbon capture and storage at LSU’s Center for River Studies building in Baton Rouge on July 23, 2025. The panel discussion was for a program called the “Carbon Removal Justice Fellowship,” which was sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation and American University.
Professor and LSU students attend energy and natural resources conference in British Columbia
Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law students Geno Albini and Tharuka Fernando attended the 71st Annual Institute of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) in Whistler, British Columbia from July 17-19, 2025. LSU Law played an outsized role at the conference. LSU was one of only a few schools that sent a professor and multiple students to the conference. Further, In addition, Professor Hall was elected as Treasurer of FNREL and received a teaching award. Also, LSU Law alumnus Michael Donald was elected to serve on the Trustees Council of FNREL. Finally, in conjunction with the conference, Professor Hall co-chaired the Natural Resources Law Teachers Workshop.
From left to right, Geno Albini, Professor Keith Hall, and Tharuka Fernando at the 71st Annual Institute for Natural Resources and Energy Law in Whistler, British Columbia
Law Professor receives teaching award
Professor Keith Hall received the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law’s Clyde O. Martz Teaching Award, which “recognizes excellence in teaching natural resources law.” The Award was announced on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the start of the 71st Annual Institute for Natural Resources and Energy Law.
Professor elected Treasurer of energy law organization
Professor Keith Hall was elected to serve as Treasurer of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) for a one-year term that runs from July 2025 through July 2026. He was elected by FNREL’s Trustees Council during the Council’s annual meeting on July 16, 2025.
June 2025
Professor speaks to Farm Bureau Convention
Professor Keith Hall of LSU Law School spoke on “Carbon Capture and Storage – What Landowners Should Know” at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation’s 103rd Annual Convention on June 27, 2025 in New Orleans.
Professor participates in induced seismicity conference at Stanford University
Professor Keith Hall of LSU Law School participated in the “Managing the Hazards and Risks of Earthquakes and Faulting Associated with Large-Scale CO2 Sequestration” at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California on June 23 and 24, 2025.
Professor and students attend energy law conference in Nashville
Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law students Tharuka Fernando and Addie Jones attended the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s annual conference on June 8 through 10 in Nashville, Tennessee. The conference included presentations on several topics, including a discussion of asset-based securitization transactions in the oil and gas sector by a panel that included John Grand, an LSU Law alumnus who is a partner in the Dallas office of Vinson & Elkins.
Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law students Tharuka Fernando and Addie Jones at 46th Annual Energy & Mineral Law Institute in Nashville, Tennessee
Professor contributes chapter to book on the laws regulating flaring
Professor Keith Hall authored a chapter on the laws governing natural gas flaring in the United States for the recently published book Natural Gas Flaring & Energy Transition: Laws, Policies and Regulations (Wolters Kluwer 2025), which examines public policy issues relating to natural gas flaring and the laws governing this subject in various nations around the world.
In addition, LSU Law alumnus Aaron E. Koenck authored a chapter for the book–“Contentious Aspects of Natural Gas Flaring and Venting.”
Professor contributes chapter to offshore energy law book
Professor Keith Hall authored “From a Mature Offshore Oil and Gas Sector to an Embryonic Alternative Energy Sector: The U.S. Experience,” which is a chapter in the recently published book Offshore Energy Law: Challenges and Opportunities for Renewables and Hydrocarbons (Hart 2025).
May 2025
Energy law professor speaks on CCS at webinar
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Carbon Sequestration Fee Structures” for a webinar hosted by the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation.
Energy law organizations award scholarships to LSU students
Two LSU Law students recently received scholarships from energy law organizations. The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and the Association of International Energy Negotiators each awarded a scholarship to Addison Jones, who is the Online Articles Editor for the LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources. In addition, the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation awarded a scholarship to Piper Cotton, who is President of the LSU Energy Law Society..
Energy law professor attends IOGCC meeting
Professor Keith Hall attended the annual meeting of the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission in Oklahoma City on May 19-21, 2025.
Ten students graduate with Energy Law Certificate
Ten LSU Law School students graduated with the Energy Law & Policy certificate in May 2025. These included Brenden Carroll, Sukrity Dhungel, Ethan Dupree, Ramon Monnie Hedges III, Emma Irvin, John Lejeune, Benton Marcotte, Patrick Raymond, Hunter Reinhardt, and Jaxon Todd.
Energy professor co-chairs energy law conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall served as co-chair of the Institute for Energy Law’s “Lower Carbon Conference” on May 8, 2025 in Houston, Texas. The conference included presentations on legal and policy issues relating to geothermal energy, nuclear power, the electricity grid, alternative transportation fuels, carbon capture and storage, lithium production rights, the initiatives of the new Presidential administration, and dealing with contract uncertainties that can arise from supply chain problems, changes in regulatory policy, and the challenges inherent in developing projects that utilize less mature technologies.
Energy professor co-presents at webinar on lithium production
Professor Keith Hall served as one of three co-presenters for Sign of the Brines: An Overview of the Legal Issues Affecting Lithium Brine Plays in the U.S., a webinar hosted by the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law on May 1, 2025. He co-presented with Lindsay Dofelmier of the Davis Graham law firm in Houston and Jennifer Horchem of the Depew Gillen Rathbun & McInteer firm in Wichita, Kansas.
April 2025
Energy professor testifies on CCS bill
Professor Keith Hall testified before the Natural Resources Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives on April 29, 2025, regarding a bill concerning carbon capture and storage.
DEQ Secretary speaks at LSU Law
Louisiana Secretary of Environmental Quality Aurelia S. Giacometto spoke at LSU Law School on the topic “Balancing Environmental Protection and Economic Development” on April 10, 2025.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto speaks at LSU Law School
Energy law professor speaks at conference in Oklahoma
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Who has the Right to Produce Lithium from Subsurface Brines?” at the Oil and Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Symposium held on April 4, 2025, at Oklahoma University Law School in Norman, Oklahoma.
March 2025
LSU Law School serves as host site for workshop on energy transition
On March 27, 2025, LSU Law School was one of seven law schools in the country that served as a host site for the online workshop “The Evolving Role of Traditional Exploration, Production, and Extraction Companies in the Energy Transition.” A panel of three speakers organized by the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law spoke and answered questions. Several LSU Law School students, faculty, and alumni, as well as guests, attended the event at LSU.
A few of the persons who attended the online workshop at LSU Law School regarding the energy transition
LSU hosts 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute
LSU Law School hosted the 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute on March 20 and 21, 2025. LSU’s two-day Annual Mineral Law Institute is the oldest annual mineral law program in the nation and is the second oldest annual energy law program in the nation.
More than 130 energy law professionals attended the 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute at LSU Law School
Amelia Hurt of Kelly Hart and Paul Simon of the Burke Law Group discuss representing exploration and production clients in financial distress
Andrew Stakelum of King & Spalding discusses joint operating agreement disputes that can arise during decommissioning
Andy Dotson of Louisiana’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel speaks on lawyer ethics
Energy professor speaks at 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute
Professor Keith Hall co-presented on the topic “Fifty Years of the Mineral Code, 1975-2025” at the 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute on March 20, 2025, at LSU Law School. His co-presenters were Patrick H. Martin and Patrick S. Ottiner.
Energy professor gives guest lecture on energy law
Professor Keith Hall gave a guest lecture on “Energy and Law” for the undergraduates in LSU’s Energy & Environment course (ENVS 4261) on March 13, 2025.
Energy professor speaks on CCS at conference in North Dakota
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the subject “Legal and Policy Issues Raised by Carbon Capture and Storage” on March 6, 2025 at the North Dakota Law Review’s Energy Law Symposium in Bismarck, North Dakota.
February 2025
LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center hosts guest lecture by Deputy Secretary of the La. Dept. of Energy and Natural Resources
Dustin Davidson, the Deputy Secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Energy and Natural Resources visiting LSU Law School and gave a guest lecture on February 27, 2025. The lecture was attended by law students, faculty, and an individual from industry.
Deputy Secretary of DENR Dustin Davidson speaks to audience at LSU Law School
Professor Keith Hall (left) and Deputy Secretary Dustin Davidson
Energy professor speaks to Michigan Association of Professional Landmen
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Drafting and Negotiating Instruments to Acquire Pore Space Rights for CCUS,” as part of the Michigan Association of Professional Landmen’s Midwinter Seminar (virtual) on February 20, 2025.
Energy professor presents to American Association of Professional Landmen
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Extraction of Lithium from Brine—Exploration Rights and Other Legal Issues” for an American Association of Professional Landmen webinar on February 19, 2025.
Professors and 11 LSU Law students attend energy conference in Houston
LSU Law Professors Keith Hall and Pat Martin, along with eleven LSU Law students, attended the Institute for Energy Law’s 76th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston on February 13 and 14, 2025. The students included Geno Albini, Jada Allen, Garrett Corning, Piper Cotton, Ramon Hedges, Jazmin King, John Lejeune, Dylan McHugh, Nima Miri, Fernando Tharuka, and Noah Williams. LSU had more law students in attendance than any other school.
Professor Keith Hall and nine of the eleven students who attended the Institute for Energy Law’s 76th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston in February 2025
LSU Law Professor delivers the “Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecture”
LSU Law Professor Keith Hall delivered the “Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecture” at the Institute for Energy Law’s 76th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston, Texas on February 14, 2025. LSU Law Professor emeritus Patrick H. Martin, himself a former Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecturer in 2011, introduced Professor Hall. The Deans of Oil & Gas Practice Lecture was initiated in 2001, and this year’s Lecture was the twenty-fifth Lecture. LSU is the only law school that has had two of its professors deliver this annual lecture.
Professor Keith Hall delivers the Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lunch on February 14, 2025 at the 76th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston
Energy professor testifies at legislative hearing
Professor Keith Hall testified at a hearing of the Natural Resources Committee of the Louisiana House of Representatives on February 10, 2025. The hearing concerned potential disputes between carbon capture and storage operators and the owners of mineral interests.
Energy professor attends NAPE
Professor Keith Hall attended the North American Prospect Exposition, commonly known as “NAPE,” on February 5 and 6, 2025, in Houston. The American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) organizes NAPE, an annual event that AAPL describes as “the energy industry’s marketplace for the buying, selling and trading of prospects and producing properties.” Although NAPE retains this function, NAPE also has become a venue for networking, and many oil and gas professionals who are not in the market to buy or sell oil and gas prospects attend NAPE for networking purposes. On February 5, Professor Hall made the rounds to receptions hosted by five different law firms that have offices in Louisiana, most or all of which have recently hired LSU students. On February 6, he attended a lunch hosted by another law firm, and both before and after the lunch he walked the exposition floor to network.
January 2025
LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources hosts symposium on critical minerals
The LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources held its annual symposium on January 31, 2025 at LSU Law School. This year’s symposium was entitled “Critical Minerals: From Mining to Markets, Legal and Policy Challenges in the Global Race for Critical Minerals.” Speakers and presentations included:
- Scot Anderson, Womble Bond Dickinson, “The Energy Transition and Seabed Mining”
- Colleen Baker, University of Oklahoma, “Critical Minerals and Metals Derivatives Markets”
- Keith B. Hall, LSU Law Center, “Who has the Right to Extract Lithium from Subsurface Brines”
- Christina Jovanovic, Salt River Project, “The Four Rs to Stabilize Critical Mineral Supplies for Renewable Energy”
- Madeline Lewis, University of Wyoming, “Critical Minerals, Rare Earth Elements and the Opportunities for Circular Economies in a U.S. Supply Chain”
- Joseph A. Schremmer, University of Oklahoma College of Law, “Brine Unitization for Lithium Production”
JELR Editors and Symposium Speakers
Energy professor makes presentation at LSU Journal of Energy Law & Resources symposium
Professor Keith hall spoke on the subject “Who has the Right to Produce Lithium from Subsurface Brines” at the LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources’ symposium on “Critical Minerals” on January 31, 2025.
Energy professor makes presentation to Marcellus Shale Coalition
Professor Keith Hall made a presentation entitled “Who has the Right to Produce Lithium from Subsurface Waters” in a webinar for the Marcellus Shale Coalition on January 30, 2025.
Two LSU Law students attend offshore leasing conference
Two LSU Law students–Eric Bray and Tanner Davis–attended the “Offshore Oil & Gas and Wind Leasing” conference hosted by the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law in New Orleans on January 28-30, 2025.
Energy professor makes presentation for Institute for Energy Law webinar
Professor Keith Hall make a 60-minute presentation on the topic “Produced Water, Other Brines, and the Substances in Them—Who has the Right?,” for the Institute for Energy Law’s Academic Webinar Series on January 23, 2025. Professor Hall’s presentation focused on the question who has the right to extract lithium from water. In addressing that, he discussed ownership of produced water, ownership of other briny water, and whether lithium qualifies as a “mineral” for purposes of a mineral severance or lease that covers “minerals,” but does not refer to lithium by name.
Energy professor contributes chapter to recently published book on oil and gas unitization
Professor Keith Hall contributed a chapter on pooling and unitization practices in the United States for the book “National Approaches to Hydrocarbon Development: Unitization and Unit Operating Agreements,” which was published in January 2025 by Routledge. The book compares practices from nations around the world.
Energy professor speaks on regulation of CCS at oil and gas conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the subject “State and Local Regulation of CCS: Preemption and Beyond,” at the TexasBarCLE’s 11th Annual Oil & Gas Disputes Conference in Houston, Texas on January 17, 2025.
December 2024
Law professor submits manuscripts of chapters in three energy law books
Professor Keith Hall submitted the final drafts for three book chapters—one chapter for a book on flaring, a second for a book on offshore energy development, and a third for a book comparing oil and gas unitization practices across the globe.
Professor speaks at LSU continuing legal education events in Covington and Baton Rouge
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Recent Developments in Mineral Law” for LSU continuing legal education conferences in Covington on December 5, 2024 and in Baton Rouge on December 19, 2024.
November 2024
LSU Law hosts 10th Annual Liskow Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture
Professor James Coleman of the University of Minnesota Law School gave the Tenth Annual Liskow Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture on November 21, 2024 at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Professor Coleman spoke on the topic “Permitting the Future of Energy Law” before a large audience in the Robinson Courtroom starting at 5 pm. The Law School hosted a lecture after the lecture, starting at 6 pm in the Student Lounge of the Law School. Professor Coleman’s lecture addressed permitting issues, the impact of permitting delays on large energy infrastructure projects, and the potential for permitting reform.
The Liskow Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture was established in 2013 with one of the largest gifts that LSU Law has ever received from a Louisiana law firm. The visiting professorship provides funds to bring distinguished scholars in energy law and closely related fields to LSU Law, and the multidisciplinary energy program helps prepare law students for the complex and highly specialized practice of energy law. Liskow is a full-service law firm that has offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Houston.
Professor James Coleman delivers 10th Annual Liskow Visiting Professor in Energy Law Lecture
Professors Keith Hall and James Coleman, along with lawyers from the Liskow firm
LSU Energy Law Society hosts guest speaker
LSU Law School alum Megan Terrell of the firm Plauché & Carr spoke to a meeting of the LSU Energy Law Society on careers in energy law on November 19, 2024.
Professor speaks on lithium extraction rights at conference in West Virginia
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Extraction of Lithium From Brine — Exploration Rights and Other Legal Issues” at the Land Institute conference held in Morgantown, West Virginia on November 15, 2024. The conference was co-hosted at West Virginia University Law School by the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation and the Association of Professional Landmen.
Professor speaks at LSU continuing legal education event in Baton Rouge
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Recent Developments in Mineral Law” for an LSU continuing legal education seminar in Baton Rouge on November 14, 2024.
Professor speaks on carbon capture and storage (CCS) at conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Drafting and Negotiating Instruments to Acquire Pore Space Rights for CCUS” at the Advanced Landman’s Institute in Houston on November 8, 2024. The Advanced Landman’s Institute was co-sponsored by the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law and the American Association of Professional Landmen.
Professor speaks at LSU continuing legal education event in Monroe
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Recent Developments in Mineral Law” for an LSU continuing legal education conference in Monroe, Louisiana on November 7, 2024.
Two LSU Law students attend Advanced Landman’s Institute
Two LSU Law School students–Dane Eastman and William (Cooper) Katzenmeyer attended the Advanced Landman’s Institute in Houston on November 7 and 8, 2024.
Professor serves on CCS panel at economics conference
Professor Keith Hall moderated and served on a panel that addressed “Carbon Capture & Storage – Property, Contracts, & Economics” at the U.S. Association of Energy Economists’ 41st Annual North American Conference on November 5, 2024. The conference was held on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. The other panelists were Caitlin Cain, of Heirloom Carbon; Colleen C. Jarrott, of Hinshaw & Culbertson; and Tara Righetti, of the University of Wyoming and the 2023 Liskow Visiting Professor at the Energy Law Center.
Professor Keith Hall and Colleen Jarrott both served as panelists on carbon capture and storage at the U.S. Association of Energy Economists’ recent conference.
LSU alum Andrew Melsheimer gives guest lecture
Andrew Melsheimer, an LSU Law alum and partner in the Dallas office of Holland & Knight, gave a guest lecture in Professor Keith Hall’s International Petroleum Transactions class. The guest lecture covered economic sanctions and their effect on clients’ international business transactions, as well as the due diligence used to try to avoid violations of U.S. economic sanctions.
Andrew Melsheimer lectures on economic sanctions in LSU Law Center’s International Petroleum Transactions class.
October 2024
Energy law professor attends IOGCC conference
Professor Keith Hall attended the first day of the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission’s Annual Conference in Colorado Springs, CO on October 28, 2024.
Professor speaks at annual Oil & Gas short course
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Conservation Regulation” at the Annual Oil & Gas Short Course in Houston, Texas on October 23, 2024.
Professor speaks at LSU continuing legal education event in Lafayette
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Recent Developments in Mineral Law” for an LSU continuing legal education conference in Lafayette, Louisiana on October 24, 2024.
LSU Law Center a dominating presence at the EMLF Symposium
Professor Keith Hall, along with Energy Law Center Fellow Portia Oduro, traveled with 23 LSU Law students to attend the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Fall Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky, held from October 15 through October 17, 2024.
Professor Keith Hall (front left) and Portia Oduro (right, in blue) led a group of 23 LSU Law students to the symposium.
Energy professor speaks on CCS contracts in Lexington, Kentucky
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the subject “Contracting for Pore Space Rights for Carbon Capture and Storage” at the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Fall Symposium in Lexington, Kentucky on October 17, 2024.
Energy professor speaks on CCS in Washington, D.C.
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “The Public Policy Rationale for Carbon Capture and Storage” at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. on October 10, 2024.
Professor Keith Hall, just before delivering his lecture on carbon capture and storage.
Energy professor gives guest lecture on CCS to petroleum engineering students
LSU Law Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law alum Blake Canfield, who serves as Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Energy & Natural Resources, gave a guest lecture on legal issues relating to carbon capture and storage to petroleum engineering students in Professor Richard Hughes’ “Fundamentals of Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage” course on October 7, 2024.
Advisory Council meets to plan 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute
The LSU Mineral Law Institute’s Advisory Council met on Friday, October 4, 2024, to plan the program for the 72nd Annual Mineral Law Institute, which is scheduled for March 20–21, 2025. Professor Keith Hall, who serves as Director of the Mineral Law Institute, stated “The Advisory Council has come up with a great program. I am looking forward to it, and I anticipate that a lot of people will attend—both for the program and the great networking opportunities.”
LSU’s two-day Mineral Law Institute is the nation’s longest running annual conference that focuses on mineral law. It is the nation’s second oldest annual conference that offers programming within the broad field of energy law.
Professor Keith Hall, Director of the Mineral Law Institute, leads the discussion of possible topics.
Council members Victor Marcello and Patrick Martin listen to fellow member Paul Simon’s proposal.
Council member Sara Glover elaborates on the merits of a particular topic, which fellow member Marianna Knister Downer considers while reviewing the other topics put forth.
Lime Rock’s VP for Land speaks at LSU
Michelle Phillips, Vice President of Land for Lime Rock Resources spoke at LSU Law Center on October 2, 2024. First, she presented the topic “Lawyers and Landmen: The People Behind Oil & Gas Transactions” during Professor Keith Hall’s Mineral Rights class. Later, Professor Hall interviewed Ms. Phillips on the topic “Careers in Energy Law and the Importance of Networking” for a large audience of students at a lunchtime event hosted by LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center.
Prof. Keith Hall interviews Michelle Phillips.
Michelle Phillips, VP of Land at Lime Rock Resources, responds to questions.
September 2024
Energy professor speaks at international oil and gas law conference
Professor Keith Hall gave two presentations at the International Oil & Gas Law, Contracts, & Negotiations Short Course on September 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. The first presentation was on “Unconventional Resource Projects.” The second was on “Crude Oil Marketing.” In addition, LSU Law alumni Harry W. Sullivan, Jr., Andrew Melsheimer, Phillip Cascio, and William W. Pugh spoke at the Short Course, which was held over a two-week period.
Professor speaks on carbon capture and storage in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Obtaining Pore Space Rights for Carbon Capture and Storage” at the 42nd Annual Advanced Oil, Gas, & Energy Resources Law Course held by the Texas Bar Association on September 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Professor delivers presentations at LSU CLE events in Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport/Bossier
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Recent Developments in Mineral Law” at the LSU Recent Developments in Legislation & Jurisprudence CLE conferences in Lake Charles on September 4, Baton Rouge on September 19, and Shreveport/Bossier City on September 26, 2024.
Professor participates in task forces on carbon capture and storage issues
During its 2024 Regular Session, the Louisiana Legislature created two task forces to study issues relating to carbon capture and storage. Professor Keith Hall participated in the first meeting of both task forces on September 19, 2024.
Professor participates in energy group’s Model Contracts Workshop
Professor Keith Hall participated in the Model Contracts Workshop held by the Association of International Energy Negotiators in Austin, Texas on September 17, 2024.
Professor to speak on panel for past and current GW Environmental Law Fellows
Professor Nick Bryner spoke at GW Law School in Washington, D.C. on September 19 as a member of the “GW Environmental Law Fellows Panel.” Professor Bryner was one of four panelists sharing highlights of their careers in environmental law and delivering presentations on recent or work-in-progress scholarship on climate and energy justice and environmental human rights issues.
August 2024
Professor’s law review article on local regulation of CCS published
Professor Keith Hall’s law review article on local government regulation of carbon capture and storage was recently published by the Wyoming Law Review as Keith B. Hall, Local Government Regulation of CCS, 24 Wyo. L. Rev. 473 (2024). A direct link to the PDF version of the article is here.
Professor gives multiple talks about environmental law at home and abroad
On August 22–23, Professor Nick Bryner was in Brasilia, Brazil to speak at an International Symposium on Climate Change, Water, and Forests at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Justice of the National High Court of Brazil. On August 26–28, Prof. Bryner attended the meeting of the Steering Committee of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law in Washington, D.C., and moderated a panel on “Integration of social justice in environmental institutions” at a symposium at the World Bank.
July 2024
Energy Law professor and student attend energy law conference in Santa Fe
Professor Keith Hall represented LSU Law Center at the annual Trustees Council Meeting of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL) on July 17, 2024, in Santa Fe, new Mexico. In addition, Professor Hall attended FNREL’s 70th Institute, the organization’s premiere annual conference, in Santa Fe from July 18–20, 2024. LSU Law Professor Emeritus Patrick H. Martin, LSU Law student Brenden Carroll, and several alumni of the LSU Law Center also attended the conference.
Professor Hall and Professor Emeritus Martin arrive at the conference in Santa Fe.
Professor Keith Hall and LSU Law Center student Brenden Carroll attend the FNREL’s 70th Institute.
Energy Law professor speaks at seminar
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Energy and the Law” on July 8, 2024 at the two-week-long Energy Fundamentals seminar organized by the LSU Center for Energy Studies. The seminar includes speakers from academia, industry, and government, and covers technical, economic, policy, and legal issues relating to energy production and use and energy industries.
Professor publishes article on implied covenants in oil and as leases
Professor Keith Hall’s article, “Implied Duties Under Oil and Gas Leases in Texas and Louisiana” was recently published by the LSU Journal of Energy Law & Resources. The citation is: 12 LSU J. of Energy L. & Resources 431 (2024).
Professor serves as rapporteur in Indonesia for ongoing committee
Professor Nick Bryner is serving as a rapporteur for the Model Forest Act Initiative (MoFAI) Drafting Committee’s meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, from July 26 through July 30. The meeting will be hosted by the Center for International Forestry Research and the Judicial Research and Training Center for the Supreme Court of Indonesia.
The MoFAI “is a groundbreaking initiative to provide a comprehensive and innovative legal blueprint for legislators, policymakers, and other stakeholders in designing a modern legal framework for the protection, conservation, restoration, and ecologically sustainable management and use of forests.” The Drafting Committee is comprised of experts from across the globe representing various legal and scientific disciplines, carefully selected for their work in their respective fields. Some organizations involved in the MoFAI include the UN (Development Programme, Environment Programme, Forum on Forests), the World Bank Group, the Asian Development Bank, and the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law. Professor Bryner served as the Deputy Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law in 2021.
June 2024
Energy professor speaks on lithium production at AAPL Annual Meeting
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Extraction of Lithium from Brine — Exploration Rights and Other Legal Issues” at the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Professional Landmen in Boston, Massachusetts on June 21, 2024. LSU Law alumnus Charles Sartain of Gray Reed also spoke at the AAPL Annual Meeting, providing a caselaw update.
Energy professor participates in panel discussion on CCS for ABA webinar
Professor Keith Hall served as a panelist for a webinar entitled “Recent Developments in Carbon Capture & Storage in Louisiana: Where Do We Go From Here?” The webinar was hosted by the Oil & Gas Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section on Environment, Energy & Resources. Other panelists were Colleen Jarrott, Jason Lanclos, and Bob Siranni. The webinar was held on June 20, 20244.
Professor participates in CCS workshop
Professor Keith Hall participated in a “Pore Space Valuation Workshop” held in Laramie, Wyoming on June 14, 2024, as part of a research project on carbon capture and storage.
Professor participates in panel discussion on lithium production
Professor Keith Hall served as a panelist, along with Bradley Gibbs and Zack Oliva of the Oliva Gibbs law firm, in the Institute for Energy Law’s webinar entitled “Lithium and Other Minerals: What’s Old is New Again” on June 13, 2024.
Professor gives presentation to Louisiana State Mineral & Energy Board
Professor Keith Hall gave a presentation on “Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage” to the Louisiana State Mineral & Energy Board on June 12, 2024, then answered questions from Board members.
Energy professor and student attend conference in Savannah
Professor Keith Hall attended the annual meeting of the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation’s Board of Trustees on June 9, 2024 in Savannah, Georgia, as LSU Law Center’s representative. He then attended the 45th Annual Energy & Mineral Law Institute, which was held on June 10 and 11, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia. In addition, LSU Law Center student Krystal Liu attended the Annual Institute.
May 2024
Professor speaks at Association of International Energy Negotiators program on carbon capture and storage
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “U.S. Carbon Capture and Storage Developments” at an Association of International Energy Negotiators program entitled “Carbon Capture & Storage: Legal and Contractual Update of CCS Developments in the UK and US” on May 29. The program was delivered in a hybrid format, with a live audience and guest speakers at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, United Kingdom, while additional audience members were watching—and Professor Hall presented—via videoconference.
Professor speaks about climate change cases as panelist
On May 28, Professor Nick Bryner served as a panelist for “Big Wins in the Climate Litigation: From the Urgenda Case to the Shell Case,” a webinar hosted by the Supreme Court of Mexico. He presented on climate change cases in the United States and on the recent advisory opinion on climate change issued by the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
Association of International Energy Negotiators awards scholarship to LSU student
The Association of International Energy Negotiators has awarded a scholarship to LSU Energy Law Certificate student Brenden Carroll for the 2024–25 academic year. Mr. Carroll is enrolled in LSU Law Center’s Energy Law Certificate program and has taken several energy law classes, including International Petroleum Transactions. The Association of International Energy Negotiators (formerly the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators) is an independent, not-for-profit professional membership association that supports international energy negotiators around the world by drafting model contracts and hosting seminars and conferences at which energy industry professionals can make valuable professional contacts and learn about energy law, energy industry contracts and transactions, and negotiating skills.
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation awards scholarship to LSU student
The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation has awarded a scholarship to LSU Energy Law Certificate student Brenden Carroll for the 2024–25 academic year. Mr. Carroll is a rising 3L who is active in the Energy Law Certificate program at LSU Law Center. He has taken several energy law courses at LSU and will be spending part of this summer as an intern in the section of the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General that represents the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.
The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation is a national non-profit that fosters the study of natural resource development and energy law. A committee of practicing attorneys and law professors from all over the country who are active in the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation reviewed the scholarship applications and selected the scholarship recipients.
Professor discusses property law issues raised by CCS with Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Real Property Acts
By invitation, Professor Keith Hall participated via videoconference in a meeting of the Joint Editorial Board for Uniform Real Property Acts on May 4, 2024 to discuss with the Board whether it would be useful to attempt drafting model legislation to deal with some of the pore space rights and property law issues raised by carbon capture and storage projects.
Energy law professor speaks to officials from several countries on Louisiana’s CCS laws
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the subject of “The Louisiana CCS Legal and Regulatory Framework” at a Houston, Texas workshop for officials from Brazil and several countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia on May 3, 2024. The workshop was organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program.
April 2024
Energy law professor speaks at Federal & Indian Oil & Gas Royalty conference
Professor Keith Hall co-presented with Ken Vogel, founder of Vogel Economics, on the subject “Ethics and Tips for Worth with Experts” at the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law’s Special Institute on Federal and Indian Oil & Gas Royalty Valuation and Management on April 26, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Energy professor participates in Orphan Well panel
Professor Keith Hall participated in a panel discussion of Louisiana’s Orphan Well Program at the Professional Landmen Association of New Orleans’ Annual Executive Night Symposium in New Orleans on April 10, 2024. Professor Hall served on the panel with Victor Gregoire and Barry Salsbury, while Danielle Brocato moderated. Other speakers at the symposium included LSU Law alumni Michael Brassett of Bradley Murchison, Kelly Becker of Liskow, and Kevin Bruce of Arena Offshore, LP.
LSU Professor speaks at University of Texas energy law conference
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Carbon Capture and Pore Space Issues” at the University of Texas’ 50th Annual Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Institute on April 4, 2024 in Houston. Jim Noe, an LSU Law alum who is a partner at Holland & Knight, LLP, also spoke at the conference. Mr. Noe spoke on “Decommissioning Responsibility and Liability in the Gulf of Mexico and the Evolving Rules of Financial Assurance.”
Prof. Keith Hall delivers his presentation at the Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Institute.
March 2024
Energy Law professor speaks on induced seismicity
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic “Produced Water, Induced Seismicity, and the Law” at a symposium on produced water hosted by the Oil & Gas, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Journal at the University of Oklahoma School of Law in Norman, Oklahoma on March 29, 2024.
LSU Law students attend energy law conference
LSU Law Center students Hayden Scheuermann and Jaxon Todd attended the Institute for Energy Law’s Young Energy Professionals conference in New Orleans on March 27 and 28, 2024.
Mineral Law Institute recognizes Randy Davidson
The Mineral Law Institute granted its Distinguished Service Award posthumously to Randall S. Davidson, a 1976 graduate of LSU Law Center, in recognition of his decades of service to the Mineral Law Institute as an author of papers, speaker at programs, and active member of the Mineral Law Institute Advisory Council. Professor Keith Hall, who serves as Director of the Mineral Law Institute, stated, “We could always count on Randy when we needed him. He would pitch in by writing a thorough paper or making a presentation that raised interesting perspectives. He was also a faithful and active member of the Advisory Council, who attended the meetings and contributed excellent program suggestions.” Andrew Martin, an LSU Law Center graduate who practiced law with Mr. Davidson, accepted the award on behalf of Randall Davidson and his family.
Andrew Martin fondly recalls practicing law with honoree Randy Davidson.
Keith Hall presents the Mineral Law Institute’s Distinguished Service Award posthumously to Randy Davidson, with Andrew Martin accepting on his behalf.
Mineral Law Institute held March 21 and 22
LSU held its 71st Annual Mineral Law Institute on March 21–22, 2024, at the LSU Law Center. Approximately 160 lawyers, landmen, and other oil and gas professionals registered and attended. They heard presentations on subjects such as usufruct issues in the context of oil and gas development; what constitutes a “mineral” for purposes of the Mineral Code and for contracts that reference “minerals” in a time of increasing interest in the recovery of geothermal energy; legal issues arising from the extraction of lithium from subsurface brine; contracts for the use of subsurface pore spaces for carbon capture and storage; monetizing carbon credits and mitigating methane emissions from orphan wells; water management in Louisiana; post-production cost issues in the context of oil and gas units; and recent developments in mineral law jurisprudence, regulation, and legislation.
LSU’s Annual Mineral Law Institute is the oldest annual conference in the nation that has maintained a focus on mineral law.
Margaret Patton discusses legal usufruct issues that can arise in oil and gas development.
La. Department of Energy & Natural Resources (DENR) Executive Counsel Blake Canfield, former Commissioner of Conservation Monique Edwards, and Secretary of DENR Tyler Gray discuss recent developments.
Energy professor speaks at CCS conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on the topic of “Local Government Regulation of CCUS” on March 8, 2024 at the Foundation for Natural Resources & Energy Law’s Special Institute on Carbon Capture, Utilization, & Storage in Houston, Texas.
February 2024
Energy professor testifies at legislative hearing
Professor Keith Hall testified about eminent domain issues relating to carbon capture and storage (CCS) before the Louisiana House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources & Environment on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the invitation of the Committee.
Professor and LSU Law Center students attend energy law conference in Houston
Professor Keith Hall and three LSU Law Center students—Patrick Raymond, Isabelle Rowan, and Parker Smith—attended the Institute for Energy Law’s 75th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston on February 23 and 24, 2024.
Parker Smith, Isabelle Rowan, Prof. Keith Hall, and Patrick Raymond attended the IEL’s 75th Annual Energy Law Conference in Houston.
Energy law professor speaks on CCS in Houston
Professor Keith Hall spoke on “Drafting and Negotiating Instruments to Acquire Pore Space Rights for CCS” at the 3rd Annual U.S. Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy Law Seminar in Houston on February 7, 2024. The seminar was organized by the Foundation for National Resources & Energy Law and was held in conjunction with the 2024 version of NAPE, the North American Petroleum Exposition that is held each year by the American Association of Professional Landmen.
Energy professor gives guest lecture across campus
Professor Keith Hall gave a guest lecture on “Energy and Law” to the Energy Law & Environment course taught by the LSU School of Energy, Coast, & Environment.
Energy professor accepts another term as editor of the Oil & Gas Report
Professor Keith Hall recently accepted reappointment as Editor-in-Chief of the Institute for Energy Law’s quarterly Oil & Gas E-Report.
January 2024
Journal of Energy Law & Regulation hosts symposium on energy transition issues
The LSU Journal of Energy Law & Regulation hosted a symposium entitled “Hydrogen and Lithium: Key Elements in the Energy Transition,” on January 26, 2024, at LSU Law Center. A large audience attended and heard presentations on hydrogen and lithium, as well as carbon capture and storage and the State of Louisiana’s first Offshore wind leasing. Speakers included:
- John Flake | LSU College of Engineering
- Keith B. Hall | LSU Law Center
- Joe Heaton | Liskow
- William R. Huguet | Kean Miller
- Jamie Manuel | Randazzo Giglio & Bailey
- Justin Marocco | Jones Walker
- Marjorie A. McKeithen | Jones Walker
Jamie Manuel from Randazzo Giglio & Bailey delivers his lecture at the Symposium.
Marjorie McKeithen and Justin Marocco from Jones Walker field questions after their talk.
Laborde Energy Law Center hosts symposium on Orphan Wells
LSU’s John P. Laborde Energy Law Center hosted the Orphan Well Symposium on January 19, 2024, at LSU Law Center. More than 80 people attended the Symposium to hear presentations from lawyers, engineers, and other professionals from state government, the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, industry, an environmental organization, and private law practice. Speakers included:
- John Adams | LSU Law ’03 | Assistant Commissioner, Louisiana Office of Conservation
- Blake Canfield | LSU Law ’06 | Executive Counsel, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
- Meg Coleman | Policy Manager, Environmental Defense Fund
- Tyler Duhon | Project Manager, The Lemoine Company
- Monique Edwards | Commissioner, Louisiana Office of Conservation
- Roby Fulkerson | Petroleum Scientist Manager, Louisiana Office of Conservation
- Machelle Hall | Chief of Environmental Section, Civil Division, Louisiana Department of Justice
- Andrew Jacoby | Owner, Law Office of Andrew Jacoby
- Chris Sandoz | Director, Engineering Regulatory Division, Louisiana Office of Conservation
- Curtis Shuck | Well Done Foundation
- Sarah Stogner | LSU Law ’08 | Founder and Attorney, Stogner Legal
- Gregory Upton | Interim Director, LSU Center for Energy Studies
- Lori Wrotenbery | Executive Director, Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission
Louisiana Commissioner of Conservation Monique Edwards, LSU Law Dean Alena Allen, and Professor Keith Hall welcomed the attendees to the Symposium, which included a full day of presentations on legal, technical, and policy issues relating to orphan wells, which are oil and gas wells that have reached the end of their useful life, but which have not yet been properly plugged and closed, and for which the last operator is insolvent (or, in rare cases, unknown). In addition to those presentations, Meghan Kirkwood, an Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Visual Arts at the Same Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis exhibited a series of photographs which she has taken at orphan well sites in Caddo Parish. During lunch, Professor Kirkwood discussed her photographs.
Professor Hall, who also serves as Director of the Laborde Energy Law Center, thanked the speakers for donating their time and expertise to the Orphan Well Symposium. He stated, “Orphan wells raise important legal and public policy issues in Louisiana and every other state that has had a significant amount of oil and gas activity. This Symposium had two goals: first, to educate people about these issues; second, we wanted to foster dialogue between people who bring different perspectives and different types of expertise relevant to these issues. Thanks to a wonderful group of speakers, this Symposium hit a home run on both of those goals.”
To watch a video of the symposium or read some of the presentations, click here.
Lori Wrotenbery delivers her lecture at the Orphan Well Symposium.
Two colleagues have a brief discussion during a break.
Energy professor chairs fourth meeting of Task Force on Local Impacts of Carbon Capture and Storage
Professor Keith Hall chaired the fourth meeting of the Task Force on Local Impacts of Carbon Capture and Storage on January 18, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol. The Task Force heard testimony from industry officials, public officials, and environmental law organizations.
Energy professor attends field trip to Lake Maurepas
Professor Keith Hall attended a field trip to Lake Maurepas on January 15, 2024, to learn about work being done by researches at Southeastern Louisiana University at Lake Maurepas. Those researchers are collecting an extensive amount of baseline data on conditions at Lake Maurepas. In part, this will help scientists determine what impacts, if any, future events and future work around Lake Maurepas—including Air Products’ carbon capture and storage project—have on the local environment. Professor Greg Upton of LSU’s Center for Energy Studies also attended, and helped arrange the field trip. In addition, Ryan Montegut, Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, also attended.
