45 minutes

Registration and Breakfast

15 minutes

Conference Kick-Off

Welcome to the inaugural Southern Energy Conference!

30 minutes

Update on Louisiana Shale Plays

45 minutes

Diversity in Energy

Louisiana's oil and natural gas industry needs a diverse workforce to ensure collective success. Hear from state and industry leaders on how we can work together to attract diverse individuals to help meet future workforce demands and ensure an innovative, sustainable industry in Louisiana.

60 Minutes

2019 Elections Overview and Update

We are at a critical point in the election cycle. The winning legislative, local, and gubernatorial candidates will decide the fate and future of our state and our oil and gas industry.

30 minutes

Energy Regulation and Changes on the Federal Level

Shawn Bennett currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas. He administers oil and gas programs, including research and development, analysis, and natural gas regulation. Mr. Bennett has more than a decade of experience in public affairs and government relations in the coal and the oil and gas industries. Most recently, he served as the Executive Vice President for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association (OOGA), a non-profit trade association that is dedicated to representing Ohio oil and gas producers. The organization represents over 2,000 members in all aspects of the exploration, production, and development of crude oil and natural gas resources in Ohio. His role at OOGA included overseeing all federal and state legislative and regulatory activities in Columbus, OH and Washington D.C. Prior to joining OOGA, Mr. Bennett was the Director of Strategic Communications for FTI Consulting from 2011 to 2014. He worked with business leaders, elected officials, and residents in eastern Ohio and Pennsylvania regarding the safety and economic benefits of oil and gas exploration. From 2005 to 2011, he was the Government Affairs Manager for the Ohio Coal Association.

45 minutes

Supreme Court Candidate Presentations

60 minutes

The Political Landscape for Elections in Louisiana and the United States

The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the US House of Representatives, US Senate, Governors and President.

30 minutes

Legal Update in Louisiana

60 minutes

The Future Outlook on the Gulf of Mexico          

30 minutes

The LNG Expansion in Louisiana

45 minutes

Practical Energy Policies Nationwide

Hear from the president of the Consumer Energy Alliance

60 minutes

Cocktail Reception

Network with industry leaders while enjoying a relaxing cocktail before the Gubernatorial Forum.

Gubernatorial Forum Dinner

Dine while you listen to the candidates for the state's highest office share their vision for Louisiana's oil and gas industry

Melissa Landry | Energy Consultant

Melissa Landry is a veteran strategist at FTI Consulting, serving as part of the company’s Energy & Natural Resources industry practice. For over 15 years, Melissa has provided strategic counsel to public policy makers and leaders across the not-for-profit and private sectors on matters relating to energy, the environment, and legal and regulatory reform. Prior to joining FTI, Melissa served as executive director of the state’s leading legal watchdog organization, Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch. Under Melissa’s leadership, LLAW played a key role in supporting the passage of major reforms, including legislation to curb abusive lawsuits targeting the oil and natural gas industry and legislation to curb the abusive use of contingency fee contracts to retain private lawyers working on public litigation. During Melissa's tenure, LLAW also conducted multiple in- dept investigations to expose elected officials, judges and trial lawyers who abused the civil justice system. Melissa also previously held several high-profile positions in state government, including her work with elected officials on both sides of the aisle to secure billions of dollars from Congress to rebuild Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Before entering state government, she worked in the private sector managing political campaigns and executing successful public relations strategies for trade associations and not-for-profit organizations. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Louisiana State University and is a distinguished graduate of George Washington University’s Semester in Washington program. Melissa is Past President of the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federalist Society, and she actively volunteers in the community through her work with the Junior League of Baton Rouge. Melissa and her husband, Brian, have two daughters, Elizabeth and Adelaide. Together they attend Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, LA.

60 minutes

Breakfast Presentation: Refining 101

15 minutes

Networking & Exhibitor Break

2 hours

DEQ Permits

The mission of the Department of Environmental Quality is to provide service to the people of Louisiana through comprehensive environmental protection in order to promote and protect health, safety and welfare while considering sound policies that are consistent with statutory mandates.

45 minutes

OOC District Discussion

90 minutes

Army Corps of Engineers

45 minutes

Severance Tax & Other Tax Issues Affecting the Oil & Gas Industry

45 minutes

DNR: Maneuvering in SONRIS: GIS & Maps

45 minutes

The Louisiana Tax Commission: An Overview of the Mechanics of a Tax Appeal

DEQ Surveillance

Join is for a DEQ Panel Discussion on surveillance

30 minutes

Public Affairs and Tax Policy Issues

30 minutes

Online Well Tests & Reports

30 minutes

SR 99 Update

15 minutes

Networking & Exhibitor Break

1.5 hours

Luncheon Presentation

15 minutes

Break

2 hours

DEQ Panel Discussion: The Enforcement Process

The mission of the Department of Environmental Quality is to provide service to the people of Louisiana through comprehensive environmental protection in order to promote and protect health, safety and welfare while considering sound policies that are consistent with statutory mandates.

30 minutes

New State Lease Form & Royalty Assistance

45 minutes

Coastal Zone Management Act Lawsuits

45 minutes

CPRA: Implementation for coastal protection and restoration programs

The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s mandate is to develop, implement, and enforce a comprehensive coastal protection and restoration Master Plan.

30 minutes

State Leasing & Royalty, Document Review &  Reporting

30 minutes

Legacy Update

30 minutes

OCM: Permitting & Mitigation

30 minutes

Update on Select New OCS Regulations, Rules & Policies

30 minutes

OOC: Groundwater Rules & Water Well Registration‍

2 hours

Professional & Ethics CLE

John Funderburk is a partner in the Baton Rouge office of Kean Miller and practices in the litigation and construction groups. He represents clients in energy, commercial, environmental, transportation, and construction litigation in both state and federal courts. John has represented both individuals and corporations in complex environmental litigation, contract disputes, maritime actions, personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits, deceptive trade practices claims, and oilfield contamination litigation.