Recent News
September 2024
Professor to speak on panel for past and current GW Environmental Law Fellows
Professor Nick Bryner will speak at GW Law School in Washington, D.C. on September 19 as a member of the “GW Environmental Law Fellows Panel.” Professor Bryner will be 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. Spots can still be reserved via Eventbrite for those who will be in the area.
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).
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.
