Enforcement Issues Facing the Oil and Gas Industry

March 19, 2014

Please join us for two seminars on current enforcement issues affecting oil and gas operators in Colorado. Our first panel, on April 17, will begin by discussing recent changes to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission's (COGCC) enforcement program including changes to the notice of alleged violation (NOAV) process and certain new templates, tools, and procedures. We will also address the agency's Draft Enforcement Guidance and Penalty Policy in addition to its recommended amendments to the penalty provisions of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act.

Next, we will cover the COGCC's new spill reporting rules and forms, as well as concurrent reporting obligations to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and/or EPA in certain circumstances. We will also discuss COGCC's newly-issued "Lessons Learned" flood evaluation report and future enforcement ramifications. Finally, we will present a case study that highlights the benefits and drawbacks of enforcement action by the COGCC versus the CDPHE and strategies for negotiating settlements and consent orders.

Our speakers for this first enforcement program are:

Part Two of this series, being held on May 8, will focus on (1) air enforcement trends and developments in Colorado and EPA Region 8, and (2) stormwater and wetland issues including enforcement under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. We hope you can join us for one or both of these programs.

Event Information

April 17, 2014

Breakfast | 7:30 AM Program | 8-9:30 AM

Presentation Materials

About Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP

Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, one of the Rocky Mountain region’s preeminent law firms, serves clients nationally and internationally, with a strong focus on corporate finance and governance, mergers and acquisitions, natural resources, environmental law, real estate, and complex litigation. Our lawyers have extensive experience working with companies in the energy, mining, technology, hospitality, private equity, manufacturing, asset management, and aviation industries. As the exclusive member firm in Colorado for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, DGS has access to in-depth experience in 100+ countries worldwide.