MSA & contract negotiation

Master services agreements provide a standard set of terms — addressing scope, billing, indemnities, intellectual property, dispute resolution, and termination — that govern multiple projects under a single agreement.

Oliva Gibbs works with oil and gas operators and service companies in Texas and Ohio to draft, negotiate, and review MSAs and other essential contracts.

Why MSAs matter

Operations move fast and your legal contract considerations should keep up. Upstream operators regularly work with third-party vendors, such as pipeline crews, drilling teams, and logistics providers. A well-constructed and effective MSA should:

• Promote consistency across service engagements
• Allocate risk between parties and lock in liability protections
• Define performance expectations and payment terms
• Include indemnities, warranties, and contingency planning

Key negotiation considerations

MSA and contract negotiations center around:

• Risk allocation — dividing liability for delays, defects, or safety incidents
• Performance metrics — establishing service quality expectations
• Rates and payment — structuring billing rates, deductions, and payment timing
• Capital events — addressing partner default scenarios and earn-in triggers
• Dispute terms — selecting arbitration, mediation, or litigation venues
• Termination rights — defining expectations for ending the relationship, including change-order and notice provisions

The Oliva Gibbs team doesn’t just draft contracts — we design them to perform in the real world. Our attorneys tailor each agreement to your specific business goals and operational realities. We negotiate with a purpose and make sure your contracts anticipate changes in ownership, operatorship, and project scope. And because we work across title, transactions, and litigation, we ensure your company’s agreements are aligned with every part of your operation.