In This Section

Biography

Ryan J. Morgan’s practice involves representation of upstream exploration and production companies, investors, and private equity clients in negotiating complex transactions, operational agreements, and managing strategic business issues. Mr. Morgan’s practice focuses on acquisitions and divestitures of upstream energy assets, regulatory guidance, and oil and gas transactions, including joint ventures, participation agreements, joint operating agreements, exploration and development agreements, private equity financing transactions, and related industry contracts. He has also led and managed large teams conducting asset diligence on significant transactions. Mr. Morgan is the leader of the firm’s Energy Transactions Practice Group.

Memberships & Awards

Professional
The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law (2012-Present), Natural Resources Law (2021-Present)
Mountain Honorary
The State Journal, Generation Next 2010
Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use Committee, West Virginia State Bar
West Virginia Law Review
Order of the Coif
St. George Tucker Brooke, Fellow

Key Experience

Represented Fortune 500 energy client before regulatory agencies and provided key guidance in developing process to establish pooling units for largest active coalbed methane production program in state
Assisted in multi-million dollar sale and purchase of coal assets and related facility, sales and distribution contracts
Developed guidelines, led due diligence teams, and prepared transactional documents for several multi-million dollar acquisitions of upstream oil and gas assets, involving review of title, environmental issues, property rights, liability and litigation matters, negotiation of contract terms and drafting of necessary documents

Work Experience

2008 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
1998-2008 Solo practitioner
1999-2007 Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Tyler County

Speaking Engagements

"An Update on Appalachian Shale Transactions," TerraLex Global Meeting, Energy Practice Group, October 2012

"Shale Transactions in Appalachia: Key Transactional Documents," EMLF Annual Institute, July 2012

"Overview of Pooling Affecting Appalachian Shale Development," EMLF Annual Institute, May 2011

"Lease Maintenance Challenges," The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law/Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Joint Conference on Development Issues in Major Shale Plays, 2010

"East Meets West: An Overview of Operational Differences in Appalachia," NALTA Annual Conference 2010

"Special Provisions for Pooling and Horizontal Drilling," Michael Late Benedum Chapter, AAPL, Spring Meeting 2010

"Degasification of Coal Seams in Advance of Mining: Technical & Legal Issues," WV Coal Mining Institute Fall Meeting 2009

"Coalbed Methane Gas & WV Law," WV Desk & Derrick 2009 AIMEE Award of Merit

"Basics of Oil & Gas Leasing," Michael Late Benedum Chapter, AAPL, Spring Meeting 2009

"Legal Issues on the Horizon," North American Coalbed Methane Forum Annual Meeting 2009

"Due Diligence Transactions: Energy Acquisitions and Divestitures," WV Desk & Derrick Annual Meeting 2009

Recent Developments in the Oil & Gas Industry

An Overview of Industry and Legal Issues Affecting the Coal Industry

Pooling Under West Virginia's Coalbed Methane Act

Legal Issues with Leasing and Drilling Horizontal Wells

Legal Issues Associated with Coalbed Methane Development

Update on Pennsylvania Royalty Cases and Legislative Issues