Winston & Strawn Hosts International Centre for Dispute Resolution’s Young & International Group Event on International Energy Disputes; Imad Khan Moderates Panel

In conjunction with the International Centre for Dispute Resolution and Association of International Petroleum Negotiator’s Dispute Resolution in the International Oil & Gas Business conference, Winston & Strawn hosted in-house counsel and private practice energy disputes lawyers from the U.S. and Mexico to discuss recent energy disputes—including notable energy arbitrations (investment and commercial) and litigation, climate change litigation in the U.S. and in other parts of the world, and energy-related reforms and developments in Mexico. This is Winston & Strawn’s second consecutive year hosting an ICDR Y&I event.

Winston Associate Imad Khan moderated the panel that included Carlos E. E. Martinez Betanzos, Creel; García-Cuéllar, Aiza Y Enríquez; Eric Pardue, Chevron; and Meredith Craven, White & Case.

The discussion centered around the following:

• The history of U.S. climate change litigation leading up to current civil litigations across the U.S. brought by municipalities, states, and associations, as well as updates concerning the case status of the various litigations across the continental U.S.
• Environmental counterclaims raised by States in investor-State arbitration, e.g. the Perenco v. Ecuador matter in which Ecuador raised counterclaims; new claims being raised by foreign investors in investment arbitration in response to government attempts to increase environmental protections and respond to their climate change obligations; and updates regarding energy projects in Latin America, including in Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina, and Venezuela which may give rise to future energy disputes.
• Energy reforms in Mexico, including the ability of State-owned companies and private investors to carry out exploration and extraction of hydrocarbons; Mexico’s new hydrocarbon law providing for alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration, which has led to Pemex’s involvement in international arbitration; and the June 2019 decision by the Mexican Federal Electricity Commission to renegotiate natural pipeline contract with Mexican, Canadian, and US nationals and the related arbitrations.

For more information on Winston’s International Arbitration practice, view our International Arbitration page. To learn more about Winston’s energy practice, view our Energy & Environmental page. Read about last year’s International Centre for Dispute Resolution’s Young & International Group event in Chicago here.