Patrick Beaton practices in the areas of oil, gas, and energy, with an emphasis on upstream and midstream oil and gas transactions. He has extensive experience in business and commercial transactions on behalf of both privately-held and publicly traded energy companies. Mr. Beaton has represented and assisted in the representation of numerous oil and gas exploration and production companies in both the acquisition and divestiture of producing properties or equity interests. He has represented midstream companies in the negotiation of various contracts. He has assisted in the representation of several companies in various oil and gas litigation matters and the resolution of oil and gas disputes. He has also helped represent various parties in complex transactions involving the monetization of interests in producing properties and reserves, including the review of associated exchange, balancing, and transportation agreements.
Education
- J.D., summa cum laude, University of Houston Law Center, 2001
Publications and Marketing Editor, Houston Law Review, 2000-2001
Chief Baron, Order of the Barons, 2000-2001 - B.A., magna cum laude, University of Rochester, 1989
Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
Representative Experience
- Represented privately-held independent exploration and production company in a series of acquisitions of working interests through entry into participation agreements.
- Represented independent midstream company in acquisition of storage assets.
- Represented privately-held independent exploration and production company in a series of divestitures of upstream producing assets and leasehold acreage in North Dakota.
- Represented private equity firm in series of divestitures of producing properties by fund portfolio company.
- Represented private equity firm in purchase of net profits interest in producing properties from private exploration and production company.
- Represented a publicly traded company in a series of divestitures of offshore oil and gas properties.
- Represented start-up oil and gas company in negotiating participation agreements for properties in Texas and California.
- Represented large independent exploration and production company in drafting and negotiating sale agreement for site of a gas processing plant.
- Represented financing party with respect to credit agreement and associated mortgages and title issues concerning collateralized oil and gas properties.
- Represented financial institutions and individuals as trustees and executors in the disposition, distribution and settlement of oil and gas interests in estates.
- Represented oil and gas companies and other entities in the negotiation and drafting of contracts for goods and services, including negotiation of software licenses from both licensor and licensee perspective.
- Reviewed, drafted and negotiated oil and gas leases, seismic agreements, joint operating agreements, contract operating agreements, exploration agreements, participation agreements, surface and subsurface easements, drilling contracts, master service agreements, pooling and unitization agreements, gas, crude oil and condensate purchase agreements, gathering agreements, exchange agreements, transportation and processing agreements, and other oil and gas-related contracts for numerous upstream and midstream clients.
- Assisted in representation of publicly traded exploration and production company in a series of acquisitions of oil and gas properties in the San Juan and Permian Basins.
- Assisted in the representation of a privately-held independent exploration and production company in the negotiation and purchase of producing properties from a bankrupt seller.
- Assisted in representation of a private equity firm in its acquisition of equity interests of independent exploration and production company.
- Assisted in the representation of a large public company in the negotiation of numerous agreements involving the purchase, sale, transportation, exchange, processing and storage of various grades of propylene and refined products.
- Assisted in representation of a private capital group by conducting and coordinating team efforts to conduct due diligence related to oil and gas properties and agreements of target companies in which client sought to invest.
- Assisted in representation of a bond insurer in a series of complex transactions involving a municipal gas corporation’s acquisition of interests in producing properties and reserves and entry into several exchange, balancing and transportation agreements to facilitate the discounted sale of natural gas to municipalities throughout Texas.
- Assisted litigation team in defending publicly traded exploration and production company in a series of class action suits alleging a failure to develop oil and gas leases as a reasonably prudent operator.
Publications & Presentations
Professional History
- Partner, Locke Lord LLP
- United States Navy (1989 - 1998)
Professional Affiliations & Achievements
- Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
- Advisory Board, The Institute for Energy Law (A Division of The Center for American and International Law)
- Member, Houston Bar Association (Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Section)
- Member, State Bar of Texas (Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section)
- Member, Young Professionals in Energy
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