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James D. Seegers
James D. Seegers
Partner — Energy Regulation
E: jseegers@velaw.com T: +1.713.758.2939
VCard BIO PDF
Partner — Energy Regulation

James D. Seegers

James D. Seegers
Houston
T: +1.713.758.2939
F: +1.713.615.5206

Texas Tower
845 Texas Avenue
Suite 4700
Houston, Texas 77002

E: jseegers@velaw.com
VCard BIO PDF
James D. Seegers

Jay advises natural gas and liquids pipeline and storage clients on various complex regulatory issues, regulatory compliance matters, and federal energy policy trends. He also focuses on administrative litigation, representing regulated pipelines and storage companies before various federal and state agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in rate cases, certificate proceedings, complaint proceedings and audit and investigation matters. Jay advises clients regarding the jurisdictional and regulatory landscape for energy asset mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other business combinations. He also counsels clients regarding contracting for the transportation, purchase and sale of energy commodities.

Experience Highlights

  • Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for FERC certificate approval of a major pipeline expansion designed to transport Marcellus Shale natural gas supplies to Northeast and Gulf Coast markets

  • Represented a New England interstate pipeline company in the preparation and prosecution of a general Section 4 rate case before the FERC

  • Represented a midcontinent interstate pipeline company in defending a Section 5 rate investigation before the FERC

  • Represented a Texas intrastate pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for Section 3 authorization and a Presidential Permit for the construction and operation of pipeline facilities extending across the international border between the United States and Mexico

  • Represented storage company located in Michigan in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for Section 3 authorization and a Presidential Permit for the construction and operation of a pipeline header system extension across the international border between the United States and Canada

  • Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation and prosecution of an application for FERC abandonment approval to allow a major segment of a natural gas pipeline system to be repurposed for transportation of alternate products

  • Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for FERC certificate approval of a major greenfield pipeline extension and long-haul system reversal designed to transport Utica Shale natural gas supplies to Gulf Coast markets

  • Represented a pipeline company in obtaining final abandonment approval from FERC to allow an interstate pipeline system to be repurposed to serve as part of an offshore LNG export facility

  • Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for FERC certificate approval of a major pipeline expansion designed to transport Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale natural gas supplies to Midwest markets

  • Represented a major shale producer in the preparation and negotiation of pipeline transportation agreements for the delivery of natural gas production to Midwestern markets

  • Represented a Rocky Mountain liquids pipeline company in the preparation of a pipeline lease agreement governing the company’s lease of a long-haul pipeline segment to be integrated into the company’s liquids pipeline system

  • Represented a pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for FERC certificate approval for the construction and operation of a new greenfield interstate pipeline system designed to serve the Florida market

  • Represented a major shale producer in the preparation and negotiation of a pipeline transportation agreement for the delivery of ethane to Gulf Coast markets

  • Represented a natural gas storage company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of an application for FERC certificate approval for the construction and operation of major Northeast greenfield storage facility, and for market-based rate authorization for related storage services

  • Represented a major shale producer in the preparation and negotiation of pipeline transportation agreements for the delivery of natural gas production to Gulf Coast markets

  • Represented a natural gas pipeline company in gas quality and interchangeability proceeding before the FERC

  • Represented a pipeline company in the negotiation and preparation of agreements governing its joint undivided ownership interest in interstate natural gas pipeline facilities

  • Represented a pipeline company in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of applications for FERC Section 3 and Section 7 certificate approvals and a Presidential Permit for the construction and operation of a new greenfield interstate pipeline system designed to serve the Northeast market

Credentials

  • South Texas College of Law, J.D. summa cum laude, 1993 (Order of the Lytae; Phi Delta Phi)
  • Southern Methodist University, B.B.A., 1985
  • Chambers Global, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)(USA), 2019–2024
  • Chambers USA, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)(Nationwide), 2013–2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America©(BL Rankings, LLC), (Houston): Energy Law, 2014–2024; Oil & Gas Law, 2014–2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America©(BL Rankings, LLC), “Lawyer of the Year,” Energy Law (Houston), 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2024
  • Legal 500 U.S., “Leading Lawyer” in Energy: Regulatory, 2017–2019; Energy Regulation: Conventional Power, 2020–2022; Energy Regulation: Oil & Gas, 2018–2023; “Leading Lawyer” in Energy Regulation: Oil & Gas, 2018–2023
  • Expert Guides, Best of the Best Global, Energy and Natural Resources, 2022
  • Expert Guides, Best of the Best USA, Energy and Natural Resources, 2022
  • Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney’s) Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2016
  • Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2014−2023
  • Selected to the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023 and 2024
  • Member: American Bar Association; Federal Energy Bar Association; Houston Bar Association
  • Vice Chair: Electric and Natural Gas Marketing Committee of the Section on Environment, Energy and Resources Law, American Bar Association
  • Texas

News & Insights

Deals & Cases
Enbridge to Enter into JV Connecting Permian Basin Natural Gas Supply to Growing LNG and USGC Demand
March 27, 2024
Rankings & Awards
Vinson & Elkins Ranked in Band 1 in Seven Categories by Chambers Global 2024
February 15, 2024
Insight
Further Evidence of the Re-Solidification of FERC’s Driftwood Compromise

V&E Energy Update

November 1, 2023
Insight
The Re-Solidification of FERC’s Driftwood Compromise

V&E Energy Update

October 10, 2023