Energy & Natural Resources

Energy & Natural Resources

Cox & Palmer’s energy lawyers are recognized legal advisors in the industry, respected for their sector experience both onshore and offshore, and knowledge of the regulatory landscape. Our clients include proponents, producers, purchasers, contractors, lenders, developers, regulators, and governments.

Our lawyers work with clients throughout Atlantic Canada to provide reliable, tailored assistance on complex issues relating to major projects in this sector. We have appeared before all levels of Courts including the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as regulators.

With a long history of working with clients in the energy sector, we can anticipate challenges to help mitigate risk, ensure compliance and work towards a low-carbon economy.

Oil and Gas

We provide counsel to clients who are involved in complex oil and gas operations and transactions, including exploration, production, environmental, distribution, and regulation.

Our experienced team can advise on matters related to contractual agreements, purchase and sale, construction, regulatory compliance, mergers and acquisitions, licensing, land rights, employment and labour, environmental compliance, taxation, and dispute resolution.

Cox & Palmer has been involved in this industry since its inception in Atlantic Canada. Over that time, we have provided counsel to parties involved in all aspects of the industry, from all of the major offshore developers, to their suppliers and contractors, to the regulatory agencies overseeing this industry. This advice has been sought and provided across the scope of activity from commercial transactions and development negotiations, to regulatory changes and reforms, to the issues associated with ordinary operations. Our most recent involvement has been advising industry parties on the Ba Du Nord Project in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Renewable Energy

Our team has experience advising clients who are involved in major projects and transactions relating to hydro, wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and tidal energy sources.

We provide advice to developers, government agencies, investors and stakeholders in areas such as project structuring, contractual arrangements, including, investment agreements, service arrangements and EPCs, land ownership and real property, environmental assessment, financing, regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, regulatory incentives and intellectual property.  Our experience in this area includes:

  • Advising hydrogen and wind project proponents in both Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador on all aspects of the growing onshore and offshore industry
  • Acting as counsel to one of the leading developers of wind energy facilities in Canada on a number of development projects across Nova Scotia and Newfoundland & Labrador.
  • Acting as counsel to developers engaged in Nova Scotia’s Green Choice Program
  • Acting as counsel to project proponents proposing offshore wind projects in Nova Scotia

Utilities and Regulatory

Our team provides legal advice and representation to utilities, energy companies, government agencies and other stakeholders in highly complex and regulated energy projects and transactions.

We advise our clients in the areas of government and environmental regulatory compliance, permits and licenses, rate setting and hearings, financing, marketing, negotiating contracts and agreements, dispute resolution, and mergers and acquisitions.  Our experience in this area includes acting as counsel to a major Nova Scotia electrical utility for all aspects of the regulated industry.

Climate Change and Net Zero

We work with clients who are focused on sustainability and reducing emissions. We have a deep understanding of regulatory compliance, incentive programs and reporting requirements to help our clients meet their net-zero emissions goals.

We help our clients navigate complex laws and regulations, environmental assessments, transactions, contracts, carbon credits and offset programs, dispute resolution, and environmental disclosures.

Thought Leadership

Our energy lawyers are frequently called by academia, industry and related associations to share their experience in the field of energy law and are avid contributors to local and international discussions on development of sustainable energy systems across Atlantic Canada.

They serve as speakers, board representatives and writers on various forums and levels, including, Marine Renewables Canada, Net Zero Atlantic, Atlantic Hydrogen Alliance, CBA National and Provincial Sections on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, Canadian Energy Lawyers Foundation, Dalhousie Ocean Year Book, the International Energy Agency etc.

Additionally, members of our regional energy law practice actively participate in local, national and international industry events as participants and speakers, including, Wind Europe, World Hydrogen Summit and the Offshore Technology Conference.

Clients rely on us for:

  • Asset and share acquisitions and divestitures involving public and private resource sector companies
  • Debt and equity financing
  • Corporate restructuring
  • Mergers, joint ventures and takeover bids
  • Development agreements, operating agreements, benefit plans
  • Royalty and governmental negotiations
  • Regulatory approvals
  • Lands rights issues
  • Mineral and hydrocarbon rights
  • Easements, land access rights, compensation for use and expropriation
  • Indigenous consultation and negotiations
  • Regulated rate structures and service conditions
  • Hearings and selection processes relating to resource development projects
  • Structuring co-generation projects
  • Environmental assessments, approvals, regulation and compliance
  • Farm in/farm out agreements
  • Procurement and construction matters
  • Employment and Labour
  • Privacy and access to information
  • Intellectual property
  • Litigation and alternative dispute resolution
  • Commercial contracts
  • Counsel to suppliers of labour, goods and services to many energy projects.

 

Articles & Insights

Significant Amendments Announced to the Accord Acts

The Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador have announced the most significant amendments to the Atlantic Accord legislation since 1987, introducing new regulatory powers over offshore renewable projects and changing elements of the regulation of offshore petroleum interests, that may have long term implications for the industry. Bill C-49 In late May, Canada announced […]

read more

“Thee Wind-Swept Lands”: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Wind Energy Royalty Framework Looks to Make it Count

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has been busy creating a new land title and economic development regime as the framework for the impending development of the wind-hydrogen industry in the province. This process has been proceeding since mid-2022 and has recently reached two critical milestones. On February 23, Newfoundland and Labrador Government (Government) released […]

read more
view all