On this episode, we learn about oil and gas law from Vivek Warrier – president of the Canadian Energy Law Foundation and partner with Osler’s Calgary office. Topics: SCC’s constitutionality decision regarding the Impact Assessment Act, emissions reduction targets, and Carbon Contracts for Difference. This program contains 30 minutes of substantive content for the Law Society of Ontario’s CPD requirements.
Full Episode (52:28) Download Transcript
⚫ How will large scale pipeline projects proceed in light of a new SCC constitutionality finding about the federal environmental assessment framework? (7:48)
⚫ What do we know about the federal government’s proposed regulations to cap oil and gas emissions? (18:48)
⚫ How can a new tool, known as a Carbon Contracts for Difference, help to de-risk emission reduction projects? (27:20)
⚫ Our Ask-Me-Anything segment, featuring questions submitted by patrons of the Lawyered community (35:13)
⚫ What are some of the current/recent legal challenges facing major pipeline projects, like Trans Mountain? (36:00)
⚫ How have ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria influenced investment and the legal issues in the oil and gas sector? (39:04)
⚫ How has the oil and gas sector responding to the rise in investment and public support of renewable and alternative energy sources? (42:11)
⚫ How is the rise of climate litigation affecting the legal strategies of oil and gas companies in Canada? (43:53)
⚫ What are some considerations related to indigenous co-ownership / joint ventures on oil and gas ventures on their land? (45:33)
1. The Impact Assessment Actand Constitutionality of Designating Projects (13:32) Download
– Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2023 SCC 23
– “Supreme Court of Canada finds the federal Impact Assessment Act unconstitutional”, Osler LLP, 13 Oct 2023
2. Federal Emissions Cap Framework (11:14) Download
– “Draft Oil and Gas Methane Regulations Amendments published in December 2023 to reduce emissions by 75 percent”, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 19 Dec 2023
3. Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfDs) (10:36) Download
– “Deputy Prime Minister welcomes the Canada Growth Fund’s carbon contract for difference to generate more clean energy in Markham”, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, 26 Jun 2024
4. Ask-Me-Anything: Oil and Gas Law (17:03) Download
⚫ What are some of the current/recent legal challenges facing major pipeline projects, like Trans Mountain?
⚫ How have ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria influenced investment and the legal issues in the oil and gas sector?
⚫ How has the oil and gas sector responding to the rise in investment and public support of renewable and alternative energy sources?
⚫ How is the rise of climate litigation affecting the legal strategies of oil and gas companies in Canada?
⚫ What are some considerations related to indigenous co-ownership / joint ventures on oil and gas ventures on their land?
About the Guest:
Vivek Warrier is a partner in the Corporate Group of the Calgary office of Osler LLP.
His practice focuses on the energy value chain, from extraction or generation, transportation, and transmission to the marketing of energy products to end users. His practice also includes private M&A transactions, and he frequently advises clients in the structuring, ownership and operation of energy infrastructure projects. He has represented clients on transformative projects, including the development of liquefied natural gas export facilities, equity participation transactions between energy industry project proponents and First Nations, renewables energy partnerships and the development of linear infrastructure projects throughout Canada.
Vivek is the President of the Canadian Energy Law Foundation, serves on the executive of the ABA International Energy and Environmental Law Section and has taught Oil and Gas Contracts at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. He is also extensively involved in the Calgary community, including as Co-Chair of the overall United Way of Calgary and Area campaign. and as past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Centre for Newcomers.
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