Mr. Carr is certified as a specialist in natural resources law, oil and gas, by the Board of Legal Specialization of the New Mexico State Bar. Since 1989, he has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America forNatural Resources (Oil & Gas). He is also listed in the 2008 and 2010 editions of Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business for Environment, Natural Resources and Regulated Industries, and in Southwest Super Lawyers' 2010 edition for Energy and Natural resources. His practice has concentrated on regulatory matters, lobbying and litigation, with a focus on issues before the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division/Commission.
Mr. Carr was the lead attorney representing Amoco Production Company in its efforts before the Oil Conservation Commission and New Mexico State Land Office to obtain approval of the million-acre Bravo Dome Unit in Northeastern New Mexico. Since its formation, he has successfully defended Amoco's operation of the unit at various court levels.
Mr. Carr also was lead attorney in recent state court litigation, which established that under a "net proceeds at the well lease," producers may deduct post-wellhead, value-enhancing costs in calculating royalty obligations in New Mexico. In addition, he initiated the first New Mexico case for producers to enforce their gas contracts with purchasers following the collapse of the natural gas market during the mid-1980s.
In 1973 and 1974, Mr. Carr was attorney to the Interim Legislative Finance Committee of the New Mexico State Legislature, where he conducted studies on the state's relationship with the Federal Power Commission. He was responsible for drafting the Committee's annual legislative package. Since 1978, Mr. Carr has represented major oil and gas producers before the New Mexico Legislature, where he has been involved in drafting and securing passage of legislation that affects natural gas pricing issues, the development of geothermal resources and the tax incentives for enhanced oil recovery efforts.
As General Counsel to the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission from 1973 to 1976, Mr. Carr successfully defended that agency in what are considered landmark cases involving its jurisdiction and authority. He also drafted and lobbied for passage of the New Mexico Statutory Unitization Act, and participated in drafting the legislation that created the New Mexico Department of Energy and Minerals.
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