Thomas E. Valentine
Practicing as a Partner in Macleod Dixon's Global Resources Group Tom has nearly 25 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, both as a barrister and a solicitor. In 2003 and 2004 Tom and his family lived in Doha, Qatar, where he was Senior Counsel (Projects) with Qatar Petroleum, the national oil and gas company for the State of Qatar. While in Qatar Tom was responsible for a number of international LNG projects, including projects in the United Kingdom (Qatargas II), India (RasGas) and Spain (Endesa Generacion).
Since returning to Macleod Dixon in 2004 Tom's work continues to be focused on oil, gas (including LNG) and project development work including fiscal regime analysis and negotiations, E & P work, joint venture structuring, joint operations issues, purchase and sale agreements, and decommissioning obligations. He currently is involved in LNG projects (both upstream and downstream) in Nigeria, South America, North America and the Middle East.
- London School of Economics, LL.M., 1989
- Dalhousie University, LL.B., 1986
- University of British Columbia, B.A., 1983
- Alberta, 1987
- Director, Energy Exploration Technologies Inc.
- Member, Law Society of Alberta
- Member, Canada – Arab Business Council
- Presenter, "Gas and Power Series" CWC School for Energy Studies, Dubai, UAE, April 20 - 22, 2009
- Presenter, Energy Services Summit 2008 - International Opportunities: “Seven Pillars of Wisdom” , Edmonton, Alberta, July 24, 2008.
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three Day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Houston, Texas, July 15 - 17, 2008.
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three Day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Republic of Cyprus, June 22 - 27, 2008.
- Presenter, "LNG North America Summit 2008", Houston, Texas, June 19 - 20, 2008.
- Legal Consultant and Training: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Presentation and Briefing to Oil and Gas Legal Department; Abu Dhabi, UAE, May 26 - 29, 2008.
- Chairman, "Project Management and Cost Control in LNG Construction Projects"; Muscat, Oman, May 24 - 25, 2008.
- Legal Advisor: Peru LNG Project, Presentation and Briefing to the Vice Minister of Energy and Mining, Lima, Peru, May 28 - 30, 2008.
- Author, "The Law and Business of Liquefied Natural Gas", Journal of Energy and Natural Resources Law; Spring, 2008. (Book Review)
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three Day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Dubai, UAE, April 21 - 23, 2008.
- Co-Chair, "LNG: Understanding the Strategic, Commercial and Legal Fundamentals", CWC Associates Limited, Port of Spain, Trinidad, September 17 - 21, 2007.
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three Day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Dubai, UAE, April 16 - 19, 2007
- Author, Book Review: Liquefied Natural Gas: The Law and Business of LNG, November 2007
- May 27 Oilweek article Of goats, sheep, camels... AND OIL featuring Tom Valentine.
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Dubai, UAE, April 16 - 19, 2007.
- Co-Chair, "LNG: Understanding the Strategic, Commercial and Legal Fundamentals", CWC Associates Limited, Port of Spain, Trinidad, September 11 - 15, 2006.
- Chairman, "LNG Contracts:, Three Day Training Course", CWC School for Energy Studies, Houston, Texas, July 2006.
- Presenter, "Critical Issues in LNG Project Assessment", Canadian LNG Conference, Dufour Energy and Macleod LLP, Calgary, Alberta, January 2006.
- Presenter, "LNG: Understanding the Strategic, Commercial and Legal Fundamentals", The CWC School for Energy Studies, Luanda, Angola, Africa, January 2006.
- Co-Chair, "LNG: Understanding the Strategic, Commercial and Legal Fundamentals", CWC Associates Limited, Port of Spain, Trinidad, October 2005.
- Presenter, "LNG: Understanding the Growth Potential and Market for LNG Along the Pacific Coast", Infonex Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, September 2005.
- Chairman, "Commercial Structuring and Legal Issues -- LNG Terminals", LNG Terminal China, 2005, Guangzhou, China, July 2005.
- Presenter, "Recent Developments in the Oil & Gas Legislation in Kazakhstan", Canadian Eurasia Russia Business Association, 5th Annual Energy Conference, Calgary, Alberta, June 2005.
- June 2005 Lawyers Weekly article Calgary firms vie to gain a foothold in growing LNG market, quoting Tom Valentine, June 2005.
- Chairman, "LNG Forum: Maximizing Opportunities for Development and Growth", Insight Information Conference, Calgary, Alberta, May 2005.
- Presenter, North American Gas Infrastructure -- Requirements and Risks for LNG Projects, GasFair 2005, 14th Annual North American Natural Gas Market Conference and Tradeshow, Toronto, Ontario, May 2005.
- Presenter; "The Growth of LNG in North America -- Critical Legal Issues in the LNG Value Chain", Canadian LNG Conference; Calgary, January 2005.
- Presenter, "International Oil & Gas Transactions in Brazil: Critical Issues and Due Diligence", Canadian Counsel for the Americas and the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce, Calgary, Alberta, October 2004.
- Presenter, "Alberta Heavy Oil Industry: Fiscal Incentives and Other Government Assistance", 2004 Rio Oil & Gas Exposition and Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 2004.
- Author, "The World is Watching: Increased Interest in Alberta's Oil Sands", Oilweek, October 2004.
- Author, "LNG Project: A Legal Framework", Oilweek, September 2004.
- Author, "Canada's West Coast Positioned for LNG Success", Oilweek, August 2004.
- Author, "The World LNG 14 Conference: Another Success Story for Qatar", Oilweek, May 2004.
- Presenter, "Current Issues in International Joint Venture Agreements", International Business Week: Calgary Chamber of Commerce, May 2004.
- Presenter, "Recent Developments in the Middle East Regarding LNG", Association of International Petroleum Negotiators, Annual Conference, Houston, Texas, April 2004
- Presenter, "The Caspian Development Program and Amendments to the Tax Code," Canada Eurasia Energy & Industry Alliance, February 2004.
- Presenter, "Extra Heavy Crude Oil Production in South America"; Western Canada Oil Sands Summit, January 2004.
- Presenter, "LNG Terminal Economics: Supply Terms in the LNG Trade"; Canadian LNG Conference; Calgary, December, 2003.
- Presenter, "Business Arbitrations: Modifications Required to the Current Alternative Dispute Mechanisms"; Calgary Chamber of Commerce; Dispute Resolution Committee, the ADR Institute of Canada and the Alberta Arbitration & Mediation Society; May 2001.
- Cyprus: Cyprus Electricity Board. Legal Advisor and Presenter to the Government of Cyprus, Electricity Board, with respect to a proposal for development of a LNG regasification facility. The Board is a state owned vertically integrated electricity co and is examining the development of an LNG regasification terminal that is promoted by the Government of Cyprus and will also be the major gas Offtaker.
- Peru: Legal advisor and presenter to the Vice Minister of Energy and Mining of Peru with respect to the Peru LNG Project, a project for the development, construction and operation of a liquefied natural gas ("LNG") facility at Pampa Melchorita, Peru. The feedgas for the Project will be produced from Blocks 56 and 88 in the Camisea gas fields of east-central Peru, and will be transported by pipeline to the west coast via the existing Transportadora de Gas del Peru ("TGP") pipeline and a new, 408 kilometre, connection pipeline to be constructed by Peru LNG.
- New York: Legal advisor to Safe Harbour Energy, a project being developed by the Atlantic Sea Island Group LLC ("ASIG"). The project is for the construction of a man made island (of approx. 60 acres) located 13.5 miles south of the City of Long Beach, New York, and the construction of an LNG receiving, storage and regasification facility (the "Terminal") on that island. The 36" diameter pipelines will connect the Terminal to an existing offshore pipeline owned and operated by Trans Continental Gas Pipeline Corporation ("Transco").
- Iraq (Kurdistan): Mr Valentine acts as legal counsel to WesternZagros Resources Inc., a Canadian E&P company with oil and gas assets in Kurdistan. Related work includes seismic services agreements, EPSA issues, and general upstream operational agreements.
- Nigeria: Legal counsel to an upstream LNG Project being developed by Moni Pulo Limited (a Nigerian Company) and Brass Exploration Unlimited (a Nigerian company). The project will develop a floating liquefied natural gas ("LNG") liquefaction plant and associated facilities, in the Oron River region in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria (the "Ajapa LNG Project").
- Somalia: Mr Valentine has acted as counsel to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia with respect to the review of the State's constitution and the development of a new Petroleum Law and Regulations as well as Somali's new Production Sharing Contract.
- Oman: Noor Energy LNG Storage Hub, a project for the construction and operation of a LNG storage facility with capacity targeted at 40-65 Bcf. The hub will become the world's third LNG pricing point, joining the Henry Hub in Louisiana and the UK National Balancing Point.
- Kitimat LNG Inc. This project is for the permitting, financing, construction and operation of a 610 MMcf/day liquefied natural gas ("LNG") regasification terminal at Kitimat, B.C. Relevant work has included land acquisition, facility permitting, environmental review, EPC, project financing (equity and debt), LNG supply, gas purchase agreements and Terminal Use Agreements.
- Yemen: Mr. Valentine acts as legal counsel and corporate secretary to a Canadian oil and gas exploration company active in the Malik field in the Republic of Yemen. Our client is currently engaged in the drilling of a number of exploration wells. Earlier this year we acted with respect to a $16 m. financing for the drilling program. Previous work involved the conduct of the due diligence regarding the financing, while ongoing work involves general energy and corporate transactions on behalf of the client with the Ministry of Energy in Sana'a.
- Indonesia: Mr Valentine recently acted for a large international merchant bank in the conduct of due diligence regarding an investment into a major offshore oil and gas field.
- Qatar: Mr. Valentine acts as counsel to a Canadian based methanol producer with respect to a joint venture with the State of Qatar for the construction of a $600 m. methanol production facility at Ras Laffan. Relevant work includes negotiating with State Officials regarding supply rights, joint venture terms, corporate structuring, marketing and related issues.
- Qatargas II Project - A Joint Venture between Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil, this project involves the construction of two 7.78 MMTA liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities for the supply of LNG into the United Kingdom. Experience includes negotiation and preparation of the Development and Fiscal Agreement (pursuant to which the participants are granted rights from the State), the Joint Venture Agreement, and the Interim Services Agreement (pursuant to which technical services are provided to the joint venture in advance of incorporation). In addition, responsible for offshore tax planning, European Union (EU) competition issues, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) agreements and an environmental liability review in relation to a proposed terminal site.
- Oman: Mr. Valentine acts as counsel to a Barbados based trading company with respect to the purchase, transportation and sale of LNG. Under this arrangement, the LNG is purchased in Oman and sold into the distribution hub at Zebrugge, Belgium. Related work includes tax and the associated corporate planning on behalf of the Canadian based principals of the trading company as well as negotiating and preparing the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement ("SPA") with the State of Oman ("Oman LNG").
- Laffan Refinery - A Joint Venture between Qatar Petroleum, Total and ExxonMobil, this project is for the construction of a condensate refinery. Experience includes completion of the Project Management Agreement for the construction of the facility, the preparation of an Interim Services Agreement, and the negotiation of the Joint Venture Agreement for project participants.
- RasGas II Projects - Two projects between Qatar Petroleum and various gas purchasers in India. One project, for 7.5 MMTA, is the largest single LNG sale in the history of the LNG industry.
- LNG Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPA) - Qatar Petroleum, through its affiliates Qatargas and RasGas, is the fastest growing supplier of LNG in the world. Related SPA experience involves negotiations with various long term LNG buyers and the drafting of the SPAs. Negotiated issues include price and price review mechanisms, diversion rights, competition issues, delivery and payment terms, payment security issues, choice of law and payment security (Guarantee) matters.
- LPG Sale and Purchase Agreements – Providing counsel to Qatar Petroleum's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketing Department with respect to issues of force majeure, facility construction delays, and demurrage and related shipping issues arising under long term SPAs.
- Decommissioning – Preparation of a Ministerial Brief regarding existing international and domestic decommissioning obligations relevant to the Sate of Qatar together with recommendations for the implementation of a decommissioning regime for the State. Currently preparing offshore tax structure which will allow offshore oil and gas companies tax relief on pre paid decommissioning obligations.
- Mabrouk Award, Qatar Petroleum, 2003
- Martindale - Hubbell Rating, Very High to Pre-eminent
- R. P. Bamford Award for Academics, Dalhousie University, 1986
- Award of Excellence, Canadian Petroleum Law Foundation, 1985
- The Yorsh Medal for Public Speaking, University of British Columbia (Gold Medal, 1982, Bronze Medal, 1981)
