Michelle T. Boudreaux

Partner

Houston

P:	+1.713.229.1526
F:	+1.713.229.7926

Michelle Boudreaux is an Energy Projects and Transactions partner within the firm’s Global Projects Department. A recognized and seasoned energy lawyer, Michelle brings to bear nearly 20 years of experience providing transactional and regulatory advice to the owners and operators of petroleum liquids and natural gas pipelines. She has represented clients at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and various state agencies, including the California Public Utilities Commission, in contested proceedings regarding rates and terms of service.

Michelle's portfolio of work includes greenfield and brownfield energy project development, regulatory counseling on transactions involving the acquisition and financing of pipelines assets and businesses, regulatory compliance, and pipeline litigation before FERC. She also has appellate experience at the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Related Experience

Liquids Pipelines

Led the litigation team in a liquids pipeline proceeding at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission challenging the pipeline’s new cost-of-service rates and in a proceeding before FERC regarding application of the FERC’s indexing methodology to the pipeline’s rates
Led the litigation team, with California counsel, in a cost-of-service rate proceeding before the California Public Utilities Commission related to intrastate transportation rates and defending against claims of carrier imprudence
Represented, along with other attorneys, crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines in numerous protest and complaint proceedings at FERC with respect to pipeline rates and terms and conditions of service, including a joint Alaska and federal proceeding for the owners of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System
Provided regulatory guidance and analysis related to the acquisition and financing of entities owning liquids pipeline assets
Represented greenfield and brownfield liquids pipelines in various regulatory and contractual matters, including the drafting of transportation services agreements, open season materials, petitions for declaratory order, tariffs, prorationing policies, pipeline leases, pipeline operating agreements, and similar documents
Counseled liquids pipelines on operational strategies and related tariff modifications
Represented multiple liquids pipeline entities in audits initiated by FERC’s Office of Enforcement, Division of Audits and Accounting

Natural Gas Pipelines

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 to serve as part of an offshore LNG export facility
Represented a greenfield natural gas pipeline in intrastate and federal regulatory and contractual matters
Represented a Section 311 pipeline in a rate proceeding before FERC
Represented clients regarding jurisdictional analyses of natural gas pipelines, including gathering determinations, Section 311 regulations, and Hinshaw regulations
Represented an energy company in negotiating and preparing natural gas gathering and processing agreements for new natural gas gathering and processing facilities
Assisted in representing an interstate natural gas pipeline in a Natural Gas Act Section 4 rate proceeding at FERC
Assisted multiple natural gas pipelines with compliance with the Standards of Conduct for Transmission Providers, including the drafting and implementation of compliance plans, policies, procedures, and training programs
Represented a Section 311 pipeline in an acquisition authorization from the Railroad Commission of Texas
Over an approximate six-month period on a full-time basis, assisted a natural gas pipeline with developing policies and procedures to comply with a stipulation and consent agreement and compliance with the requirements of the agreement
Assisted an interstate natural gas pipeline with its application for abandonment of certain facilities