Regulatory

Our attorneys secure the necessary approvals for exploration and development, address compliance obligations, and anticipate potential enforcement actions before they escalate. When scrutiny does arise, we step in to defend our clients’ interests and keep projects moving forward.

We represent clients before key agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Texas Railroad Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and state oil and gas commissions in Texas and Ohio. Such support includes:

• Drilling, completion, and operational permits
• Compliance, reporting, and remediation issues
• Agency hearing and enforcement actions
• Pooling, spacing, and unitization orders
• Regulatory appeals and administrative litigation

By combining industry knowledge with agency experience, Oliva Gibbs delivers practical strategies that reduce regulatory risk, protect investments, and support long-term operational success.

Permitting and oil & gas regulatory compliance

Need a drilling or disposal permit? Building a new unit? We help clients obtain and maintain essential permits related to:

• Drilling and production operations
• Saltwater disposal and Class II injection wells
• Lease unitization and spacing applications
• Surface use and environmental compliance

Recent regulatory developments, including increased oversight of injection wells and the BLM’s updated rules on public land leasing, have created additional complexity. Our oil and gas attorneys help clients draft permit applications, manage public notice and comment procedures, and prepare for agency review.

Administrative representation & dispute resolution

In today’s regulatory environment, oil and gas companies face increasing scrutiny at both the state and federal levels. Questions from regulators, inspections in the field, or the denial of a permit can all disrupt development plans and put significant investments at risk. When agencies intervene, experienced representation is essential.

Oliva Gibbs’ experienced litigators and regulatory counsel help clients respond quickly amd strategically when questions arise or enforcement actions threaten operations. Our attorneys appear before Texas and Ohio regulatory commissions, federal agencies, and others. We can:

• Respond to agency inspections, investigations, or requests for information
• Appeal adverse agency decisions or permit denials
• Defend projects in administrative hearings and litigation
• Challenge enforcement in state and federal court

Our attorneys include land professionals and former in-house counsel who’ve seen oil and gas regulatory compliance from both sides. Our regulatory team coordinates with our title and transactional practices to ensure clients are prepared for current and future regulatory challenges. That means smarter strategies, faster approvals, and fewer surprises. We work across major U.S. producing regions and guide clients through state and federal regulations while keeping an eye on the business impact.