David L. Wochner

Act as lead regulatory and policy counsel on behalf of NextDecade Corp. in the development of the proposed 27 million tonnes per year (mtpa) Rio Grande LNG export facility and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project and the Rio Bravo Pipeline project in Brownsville, Texas, including engagement with and provision of strategic advice regarding FERC, DOE, PHMSA, the US Army Corps, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, in the company’s pursuit of all project authorizations.

Serve as lead regulatory and policy counsel on behalf of Glenfarne Group (and its predecessor Australian-based Liquefied Natural Gas Ltd. in efforts to develop the 8.8 mtpa Magnolia LNG export facility in Lake Charles, Louisiana, including representing the client before FERC, DOE, PHMSA and the U.S. Coast Guard, and providing strategic policy advice on U.S. LNG exports to Europe.

Serve as lead regulatory and policy counsel on behalf of Commonwealth LNG in the development of the 8.4 mtpa LNG export facility on the Calcasieu Ship Channel in southwestern Louisiana, including representing the client before FERC and DOE.

Advise and represent Magnolia LNG in efforts to secure approval of previously approved LNG export facility production capacity increase, including engagement with FERC, PHMSA, EPA and OSHA related to federal regulations governing non-hydrocarbon hazardous substances onsite, including PHMSA Part 193, EPA RMP, and OSHA PSM programs.

Advise and represent multiple US LNG export project developers on CFIUS matters, including engagement with Treasury Department and the U.S. Department of Energy related to foreign investment in LNG infrastructure by Chinese infrastructure funds and a Middle East-based sovereign wealth fund.

Advise LNG export project developer on all regulatory matters related to negotiation of a 20-year interstate pipeline capacity precedent agreement with a large interstate natural gas pipeline company, including open season obligations, asset management arrangements, capacity release provisions, negotiated rate agreements, and analysis of FERC policy on buy-sell transactions for LNG export projects and related feed gas pipelines.

Advise and represent US LNG export project developer in negotiations with US Export-Import Bank related to various financing and funding mechanisms for LNG offtake from US Gulf Coast facility.

Advise clients on regulatory issues related to hydrogen sector opportunities, including jurisdictional and regulatory issues regarding scope of existing authorities at FERC, DOE and PHMSA, as well as related DOE programs for “blue” hydrogen-associated carbon capture.

Advise U.S.-based energy development company on helium production issues on federal lands under the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Federal Helium System.

Draft comments on behalf of and counsel large oil and gas trade association in major regulatory rulemaking before the U.S. Department of Energy in 2012 related to analysis and consideration of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and climate change in the agency’s NEPA regulatory review process for multiple large-scale liquefied natural gas export facilities.

Advise large oil and gas trade association on White House Council on Environmental Quality efforts during the Obama Administration to modify regulations related to implementation of NEPA.

Represent the American Petroleum Institute in appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s and the Department of Energy’s consideration of GHGs, climate change, and upstream and downstream indirect effects from LNG and natural gas pipeline infrastructure development.

Represent and advise the Government of the Province of New Brunswick, Canada, on LNG and natural gas matters, including participation in proceedings at FERC, PHMSA, and US Coast Guard related to LNG import and export terminal, maritime transit, and pipeline safety issues.

Advise large energy infrastructure hedge fund with over US$6B under management on U.S. LNG export issues, including development of strategies to address political and policy issues at DOE and FERC.

Serve as lead regulatory counsel on behalf of a major international LNG importer in natural gas interchangeability proceedings on multiple interstate pipelines and in defense against allegations of infrastructure harm.

Serve as lead counsel for large Marcellus shale natural gas producer regarding the development and acquisition of capacity on multiple interstate pipelines, including acting as lead negotiator for multiple 20-year precedent agreements with pipeline companies.

Advise and represent large global oil and gas trading company on FERC regulatory matters, including the transfer of natural gas supply and transportation contracts, verification of compliance with FERC regulations and policies, and representation before FERC in applications for waivers of FERC’s tying prohibition to effectuate the sale and purchase.

Represent start-up company involved in natural gas vehicles industry in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill related to passage of the NATGAS Act, encouraging use of natural gas as a transportation fuel.

Represent independent natural gas producer in the Marcellus Shale in FERC proceedings seeking the abandonment of interstate natural gas pipelines and conversion to gathering lines.

Advise and represent large southeast electric cooperative in negotiation and drafting of precedent agreements with two long-haul interstate natural gas pipelines.

Advise large southeast electric cooperative on PHMSA compliance matters related to oil pipeline crossing property.

Advise large southeast electric cooperative on negotiation of NAESB gas supply agreements.

Advise and negotiate on behalf of a major IOC in all regulatory and commercial matters associated with acquisition of LNG export and pipeline transportation capacity at the Elba Island LNG terminal.

Advise and negotiate on behalf of a major Asian NOC on regulatory and commercial matters associated with acquisition of LNG export capacity at the Cove Point LNG export terminal. 

Advise start-up marine hydrokinetic energy company with regard to US regulatory and policy issues related to the deployment of prototype technology in the U.S. gulfstream.

Advise major European oil and gas company on regulatory requirements related to the abandonment of a pipeline on the U.S. outer continental shelf (OCS) under the Deepwater Port Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Advise and represent developer of offshore CNG export facility in the Gulf of Mexico OCS in regulatory proceedings before the Maritime Administration (MARAD) and US Coast Guard.

Serve as lead Washington counsel for a major international drilling company in multiple Congressional investigations and hearings related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Draft written testimony and prepare senior executive of major international drilling company for oral testimony before the United Kingdom House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change related to offshore drilling issues after the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Advise offshore Gulf of Mexico LNG import project developer on regulatory and policy issues associated with the Deepwater Port Act, including Governors’ veto authority, interagency dispute resolution, and obtaining offshore leases from MMS for associated pipelines and cables.

Advise large offshore energy company with regard to US Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) leasing and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) enforcement matters related to offshore drilling activities, including issuance of notice of incidents of non-compliance (INCs).

Advise and represent a European offshore wind project developer bidding in a U.S. BOEM lease sale off the coast of Maryland, including advice on the regulatory process and competition rules applicable to bidding.