Practice Strengths

The economies of geographic areas within Ohio and Pennsylvania are poised to undergo radical transformation with the discovery of large quantities of oil and natural gas in geologic formations known as the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays. With the use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing to extract oil and natural gas from the shale plays, interests within these states and energy industry entities from around the country are positioned to capitalize on the many opportunities this dramatic production of oil and natural gas affords.

Please visit Baker Hostetler’s Utica Marcellus Shale Monitor blog for commentary, news and updates on regulatory issues in the Utica and Marcellus shale plays. The Utica Marcellus Shale Monitor blog is updated regularly to report on the latest legal news, legislative updates and information regarding these regional shale plays.

Baker Hostetler has a rich tradition serving clients in the energy industry, offering comprehensive services from our offices coast to coast. Several of our attorneys represent clients active in all of the major shale plays throughout the United States. The firm has a multi-disciplinary and multi-office team to serve clients specific to the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays, representing the interests of industry partners, smaller producers and lease owners in this high-stakes marketplace.

Our attorneys can represent clients throughout the lifecycle of the extraction and production process, addressing such issues as:

• Lease acquisitions and sales
• Joint venture agreements
• Farmout and operating agreements
• Management of downstream activities, including pipeline and infrastructure development
• Evaluation of investment opportunities related to the shale plays
• Environmental permitting and other environmental issues
• Product liability claims
• Tax counseling
• Antitrust claims
• Regulatory compliance
• Government relations

Our team further leverages the collective knowledge of our national Energy and Environmental practices—recognized as a leader in the industry—to ensure that our clients can fully capitalize on the opportunities offered through development of oil and gas in the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays.