Partner
Energy Regulation
“Monique Watson’s knowledge of FERC is amazing, and her instincts are spot-on. The contributions she brings to natural gas engagements provide value to the client far beyond the immediate issue.” [Chambers USA 2023 Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)]
Monique advises energy clients in achieving their business objectives while navigating applicable legal and regulatory requirements. She draws on her more than two decades of energy experience in private practice, as in-house counsel, and in senior legal roles at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She has managed legal and policy initiatives involving natural gas, crude oil, and refined petroleum products pipelines. She also has served as first chair in complex cost-of-service litigation for natural gas and oil pipelines. She is recognized for her deep knowledge and understanding of energy law, policy, economics, and regulation, with particular focus on oil and natural gas pipeline matters. She has also assisted clients in compliance matters, including FERC enforcement actions.
Monique was recognized in Forbes’ Top 200 Lawyers in America in 2024.
Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation and prosecution of a general Section 4 rate case before the FERC
Represented a company in preparing and filing a petition for declaratory order asking FERC to disclaim jurisdiction over a containerized liquefied natural gas export facility, which was granted
Represented the largest pipeline system for refined oil products in the U.S. in litigation challenging its market-based and indexed rates before FERC involving 18 shippers
Drafted multiple Petitions for Declaratory Orders for oil pipelines related to FERC-regulated transportation service agreements and tariffs
Participated in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of certificate applications at FERC involving major interstate natural gas companies located in the United States
Represented a major natural gas pipeline company in a rate case proceeding
Represented a major natural gas pipeline – winning dismissal on jurisdictional grounds – addressing a complaint alleging unpaid reservation charges during the February 2021 Texas cold weather event
Obtained an order from FERC declaring that it lacks jurisdiction over a small-scale liquified natural gas facility that would export LNG in containers via ocean-going cargo vessels
Assisted multiple pipelines in developing open seasons for FERC-regulated transportation service
Advised clients regarding jurisdictional analysis of pipelines, including Section 311 regulations and Hinshaw regulations
Advised natural gas pipelines on shipper disputes and response to complaints filed at FERC
Created and implemented regulatory compliance initiatives for major United States natural gas pipeline and marketer, along with the drafting and implementation of internal compliance manual for major United States natural gas pipeline and marketer
Education
Admissions
Client Alerts
FERC Adopts PPI-FG Minus 0.55% Oil Pipeline Index for 2026-2031
On April 24, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) issued its final rule in Docket No. RM26-6-000 …
April 29, 2026
April 29, 2026 • 7-minute read
Client Alerts
On November 20, 2025, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or the “Commission”) issued four significant orders addressing crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas liquids pipelines (collectively, “oil pipelines”) matters: (1) a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) for the Five-Year Review of the Oil Pipeline Index (“2026 Index NOPR”) proposing an index level of Producer Price Index for Finished Goods (“PPI-FG”) minus 1.42% for the period (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2031); (2) an Order denying rehearing and granting oil pipelines remedial relief related to the reinstated oil pipeline index for the period March 1, 2022 to September 17, 2024; (3) an order withdrawing the supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking that proposed to amend the index level to PPI-FG minus 0.21% on a prospective basis from July 1, 2025 until June 30, 2026; and (4) an order denying Airlines for America and the National Propane Gas Association’s petition requesting that the Commission initiate a rulemaking to establish affiliate standards of conduct regulations for oil pipelines.
November 26, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
November 26, 2025 • 7-minute read
Client Alerts
President Trump Targets State Laws That Burden Energy Production
On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach” (the “Executive Order”), which directs the United States Attorney General to identify and halt the enforcement of state laws and civil actions that burden energy production and may be preempted by Federal law or are otherwise unconstitutional.
April 11, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
April 11, 2025 • 6-minute read
Client Alerts
Unleashing American Energy: Energy-Focused Executive Orders
On April 8 and 9, 2025, President Donald Trump issued five Presidential Actions (four Executive Orders and one Proclamation, collectively “Presidential Actions”) for the purposes of ensuring adequate and reliable energy generation, meeting growing energy demand, and addressing the national energy emergency declared on January 20, 2025 (EO 14156).
April 11, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
April 11, 2025 • 6-minute read
Client Alerts
New Administration: Key Energy Issues Tied to Executive Orders
After little more than a week in office, there is still plenty of speculation, but priorities of the Trump 2.0 Administration are becoming more concrete.
January 29, 2025 • V&E Energy Update
January 29, 2025 • 19-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Vinson & Elkins announced today that it achieved 20 Band 1 rankings in Chambers USA 2026: Nationwide: Energy Transition; Energy: …
June 4, 2026
June 4, 2026 • 3-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Chambers Global, announced today, recognizes Vinson & Elkins in 27 practice categories, including new rankings for Construction in the UAE, …
February 12, 2026
February 12, 2026 • 2-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Best Lawyers in America (BL Rankings, LLC) has named 125 Vinson & Elkins lawyers in its “Best Lawyers” category in the 2026 edition. Additionally, 76 Vinson & Elkins attorneys have been named in the “Ones to Watch” category, which recognizes lawyers with 5–10 years’ experience. Some individuals are listed in more than one practice area, giving the firm a total of 305 rankings.
August 21, 2025
August 21, 2025 • 3-minute read
Awards & Rankings
The Legal 500 US 2025 recommended Vinson & Elkins as a leading law firm in 43 practice categories. In total, 133 attorneys are recognized, many in more than one category. Vinson & Elkins attorneys earned multiple special designations, such as “Leading Trial Lawyer,’ “Hall of Fame,” “Leading Partner,” “Next Generation Partner,” and “Leading Associate.”
June 11, 2025
June 11, 2025 • 3-minute read
Awards & Rankings
Vinson & Elkins announced today that it achieved 18 Band 1 rankings in Chambers USA 2025: Nationwide: Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation); Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional); Energy Transition; Offshore Energy; Projects: Oil & Gas; Projects: Power & Renewables: Transactional New York: Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Highly Regarded Texas: Bankruptcy/Restructuring; Capital Markets: Debt & Equity; Corporate/M&A: The Elite; Environment: Mainly Transactional; Litigation: Securities; Real Estate; Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use; Tax; Technology: Corporate & Commercial Texas: Austin & Surrounds: Corporate/M&A Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth & Surrounds: Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Of the firm’s 167 individual lawyer rankings, 16 were newly added in 2025. Some lawyers are ranked in more than one category.
June 5, 2025
June 5, 2025 • 3-minute read
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