News
Proposed BLM Venting and Flaring Rule
On February 8, 2016, the BLM published its long awaited proposed rule to control venting, flaring and leaks of natural gas from oil and gas operations on onshore Federal and Indian lands. 81 Fed. Reg. 6616. The primary purposes of the rule are to: (1) update...
Welcome to Allison MacKinnon, Laura Lindley, and Sarah Sorum
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is thrilled to announce the addition of preeminent Denver oil & gas attorneys Allison MacKinnon, Laura Lindley, and Sarah Sorum to the firm. Read the entire Press Release here.
Alaina Stedillie appointed to the Wyoming State Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Alaina Stedillie, an associate in our Casper, Wyoming office, has been appointed to the Wyoming State Bar Association’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She will serve a three-year term. The purpose of this committee is to promote diversity in the legal profession...
Assuring Your Covenants “Run with the Land”
Developers and owners of real property typically enter into a variety of contracts concerning the use of real property. This is particularly true in the natural resource extraction industry. Generally, under Colorado law contractual obligations may be deemed personal...
Changes to the Operator’s Rights and Obligations under the New 2015 A.A.P.L. Model Form JOA
The American Association of Professional Landmen recently released its 2015 Model Form Operating Agreement. The A.A.P.L form 610 - Model Form Operating Agreement has established the operating framework within the United States since 1956, and the last major...
Keith Tooley and Rebecca Watson included in the Denver Top Lawyers List
Welborn shareholders Keith Tooley and Rebecca Watson were included in the 2016 Denver's Top Lawyers List compiled by 5280 Magazine. Keith in the practice area of Civil Litigation and Rebecca in the practice area of Natural Resources. You can search the entire list...
Lessees and Operators Beware
In Pennaco Energy Inc. v. KD Company LLC, 2015 WL 7758324 (Wyo.) (“Pennaco I”), the Wyoming Supreme Court recently confirmed a precedent that subjects lessees and operators to liability for successors’ acts and failures under surface use agreements. At issue was the...
Ken Jones recognized as a “Who’s Who in Energy” by the Denver Business Journal
Ken Jones, managing partner at Welborn, has been selected as a member of Who's Who in Energy by the Denver Business Journal ("DBJ") 2015-16. This special report is a joint project with American City Business Journals publications in four other cities - Houston,...
State or Local Control for Colorado?
In September, the Colorado Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases that have the potential to settle the state/local battle over fracking regulations. The conflict roots back to 2013, when voters in Longmont passed a ban on hydraulic fracturing, and Fort Collins passed...
“Keep it in the Ground” – Part II
After the President denied the Keystone XL pipeline, climate change activists have turned their attention to federal fossil fuel leasing, discussed in our recent blog post: What’s Next, Post Keystone XL? “Keep it in the Ground!”. The “Keep it in the Ground”...
What’s Next, Post Keystone XL? “Keep it in the Ground!”
With the rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline by President Obama as part of the Administration’s “package” of climate change actions to deliver to the UN Conference on Climate Change in December, activists and their political allies have turned to the next...
Welborn named to Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” list for 2016
U.S. News - Best Lawyers® releases 2016 "Best Law Firms" list. Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley received Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Natural Resources for Colorado and Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Corporate Law for Wyoming. Firms included in the 2016 Best Law Firms™ list are...