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James K. Longhofer
James K. Longhofer
Partner — Finance
E: jlonghofer@velaw.com T: +1.713.758.3391
VCard BIO PDF
Partner — Finance

James K. Longhofer

James K. Longhofer
Houston
T: +1.713.758.3391
F: +1.713.615.5590

Texas Tower
845 Texas Avenue
Suite 4700
Houston, Texas 77002

E: jlonghofer@velaw.com
VCard BIO PDF
James K. Longhofer

James’ practice focuses on syndicated, acquisition and structured/mezzanine financings and preferred equity investments, primarily in the energy space. He has worked on numerous bank financings, mezzanine financings, preferred equity investments and debt restructurings, including debtor-in-possession facilities and complex intercreditor arrangements. He represents mezzanine funds, publicly and privately held corporate borrowers and issuers, private equity funds, and commercial banks.

James’ energy industry focus includes numerous matters involving oil and gas exploration and production; midstream; oilfield services; refining, distribution, storage and transportation; and retail.

Experience Highlights

  • Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in connection with a $3 billion 5 year revolving credit facility and a $2 billion unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility

  • The Carlyle Group in a $175 million debt and preferred equity investment in a joint venture developing Permian E&P assets

  • Representation of a national bank in a $775 million fully-underwritten credit facility to an energy exploration and production company for the acquisition of certain oil and gas assets 

  • EIG Credit Management Company LLC as purchasers of $50 million in second lien notes from an upstream E&P company

  • Fortis Minerals, an EnCap portfolio company, in a $200 million private note issuance to an alternative lender

  • Goldman Sachs Bank in a $148 million super-priority delayed draw term loan facility to an upstream offshore E&P company 

  • HPS Investment Partners in connection with numerous mezzanine loans, secured term loans, and other structured investments to domestic and Canadian oil and gas producers

  • HPS Investment Partners in a $250 million secured holdco delayed draw term loan to a Permian-focused upstream E&P company

  • Mallard Exploration, LLC in a $150 million secured reserve-based revolving credit facility 

  • Sixth Street in a $400 million secured term loan to Northern Oil and Gas, Inc.

  • Sixth Street in a $160 million financing with $65 million in delayed draw commitments to an upstream E&P company

  • Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in a $3 billion secured reserve-based revolving credit facility to Oasis Petroleum North America LLC

  • Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in a $575 million secured revolving credit facility to Oasis Midstream Partners 

  • Angelo Gordon & Co. in a $140 million senior secured term loan to an upstream E&P company

  • The Carlyle Group, as lender, in the issuance of $85 million senior notes to an upstream E&P company

  • Representation of Goldman Sachs in a second lien term loan to an exploration and production company

  • HPS Investment Partners in a $75 million secured term loan to an upstream E&P company

  • HPS Investment Partners in a $98 million secured term loan to Elk Petroleum Aneth, LLC to finance an acquisition of oil and gas assets

  • HPS Investment Partners in a $150 million secured term loan to an upstream E&P company

  • HPS Investment Partners  in a $150 million secured holdco delayed draw term loan to an upstream E&P company

  • Riverstone Credit Partners as administrative agent and lender on behalf of a syndicate of lenders under a $410 million term loan facility in the restructuring of MTE Holdings and its subsequent chapter 11 cases and related litigation; engagement evolved to representation in connection with acquisition of debtor’s assets by lender affiliate pursuant to a chapter 11 plan

  • Riverstone in a $50 million term loan credit facility to an upstream E&P company 

  • Wells Fargo Strategic Capital in a $40 million holdco term loan agreement

  • Representation of Continental Resources in a $1.5 billion investment grade unsecured revolving credit facility and $500 million unsecured term loan

  • Representation of Enable Midstream in a $1.75 billion senior unsecured investment grade revolving credit facility

  • Felix Energy, an EnCap portfolio company, in a $925 million syndicated reserve based credit facility

  • H2O Midstream in a $75 million secured revolving credit facility

  • Joy Drive Midland, LLC, in a $200 million secured reserve based credit facility

  • SilverBow Resources, Inc., in a $600 million secured reserve-based revolving credit facility

  • SilverBow Resources, Inc. in a $200 million secured second lien term loan and note purchase agreement

  • Societe Generale in a $500 million syndicated, reserve-based credit facility to an upstream energy company

  • A national bank in a $580 revolver and term loan to an energy exploration and production company for the acquisition of a new subsidiary 

Credentials

  • University of Texas School of Law, J.D. with honors, 2011 (Editor-in-Chief, Texas International Law Journal)
  • Southern Methodist University, B.A., Political Science, Economics, and Public Policy magna cum laude and with honors in Liberal Arts, 2008 (Phi Beta Kappa)
  • Chambers USA, Banking & Finance (Texas), 2022 and 2023; “Up and Coming” in Banking & Finance (Texas), 2022
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (BL Rankings, LLC), Banking and Finance Law (Houston), 2022–2024
  • Legal 500 U.S., Finance: Commercial Lending, 2023;
  • Texas

News & Insights

Deals & Cases
Vital Energy to Significantly Increase Permian Basin Scale Through Accretive Transactions
September 14, 2023
Deals & Cases
Permian Resources to Acquire Earthstone Energy in All-Stock Transaction
August 21, 2023
Rankings & Awards
Vinson & Elkins Earns 308 Rankings in The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings, LLC) 2024, Including 6 “Lawyer of the Year” Recognitions
August 21, 2023
Deals & Cases
SilverBow Resources Announces Transformational Acquisition of Chesapeake’s South Texas Position
August 14, 2023