In This Issue

TRANSACTIONAL

Transactions

- Shale Plays: Private Equity Adds to the Mix in Shale Field Transactions

Private equity participation in U.S. shale plays has increased as the economy recovers and lease-owners are needing development capital to retain their interests....

Corporate / London

- Oil & Gas Companies May Face Most Investigations Under New UK Anti-Bribery Laws

The UK's Bribery Act significantly strengthens the UK's position on bribery andcorruption. Commentators believe that oil and gas is the most likely industrysector to be investigated....

REGULATORY

FERC

- Demand Response Compensation In Organized Markets – Tariff Revisions Due on July 22, 2011

FERC's order implementing new demand response regulations in whole sale energy is generating worries among many in the industry who feel it gives demand response resources preferential treatment....

Oil & Gas Regulatory

- Oil & Gas Royalties: Major Changes Contemplated in U.S. Federal Oil and Gas Valuation Regulations

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) is requesting public comments through July 28, 2011, on potentially sweeping changes in the way oil and gas is valued for royalty purposes....

Antitrust

- CFTC Adopts More Aggressive Approach to Market Manipulation in the Wake of Dodd-Frank Act and Rise in Energy

Dodd-Frank's amendment of the Commodities Exchange Act has spurred efforts by the CFTC to aggressively expand its view of jurisdiction over alleged market manipulation....

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

International Trade

- Government Support for Renewable Energy Sources and WTO Rules

Government support plays a crucial role in the development of renewable energy sources, including wind and solar. Recently, two such government support programs were challenged before the World Trade Organization (“WTO”) as being discriminatory and in violation of the rules of the WTO Subsidies Agreement....

Business Litigation

- Navigating the Challenges Facing Shale Energy: Legislation, Litigation, and Regulation

On July 9, King & Spalding hosted its quarterly Energy Forum, focusing on the rapidly evolving field of shale energy production. Hydraulic fracturing technology has opened enormous new shale energy resources, creating a multitude of opportunities and potential risks as industry and regulators adapt to the evolving shale gas industry.