Michael Feldewert

Senior Counsel

Oil and gas companies with operations, property, or prospects in New Mexico turn to Michael for advice and strategic counsel.

Michael leverages his extensive experience with the agencies, regulations, and processes of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division/Commission, the New Mexico State Land Office, and the Bureau of Land Management to help oil and gas clients solve issues involving oil and gas development. Michael also handles severance tax, property tax and other oil and gas development issues before New Mexico courts and administrative agencies.

Client Results

In addition to regular appearances before the state and federal administrative agencies, Michael has extensive experience handling oil and gas matters before state and federal courts, including:
Addressing oil and gas regulations for the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association. Jalapeno Corporation v. New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, No. A-1-CA-37449, 2020-NMCA-[pending]; Earthwork’s v. New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, 2016-NMCA-055
Challenges to pooling orders issued by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division/Commission, Jalapeno Corporation v. New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, and Matador Production Company, D-101-CV-2017-00059 (Santa Fe County District Court).
Challenging property taxes, severance taxes, and processing taxes imposed on oil and gas facilities and production in New Mexico. Leapartners v. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Dept., D-101-CV-2015-02677 (summary judgment in district court); Hess Corporation v. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, 252 P.3d 751 (N.M.App. 2011); Blackwood & Nichols v. New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, 964 P.2d 137 (N.M. App. 1998).
Addressing county ordinances restricting the development of oil and gas interests in New Mexico. SWEPI, LP v. Mora County, 81 F.Supp. 3d 1075 (Dist. NM 2015).
Defending royalty underpayment claims and class actions for oil and gas production in New Mexico. Abraham v. BP America Production Company, 685 F.3d 1196 (10th Cir. 2012); Davis v. Devon Energy, et al., 218 P.3d 73 (N.M. 2009); Elliott Industries v. BP Amoco Production Company, 407 F.3d 1091 (10th Cir. 2005); Creson v. Amoco Production Company, 10 P.3d 853 (N.M. App. 2000).
Access to oil and gas producing properties. XTO Energy v. Armenta, 185 P.3d 383 (N.M. App. 2008).
Allegations of contamination from historic drilling pits. Bank of America v. Apache et al.,184 P.3d 435 (N.M. App. 2008).

Experience

Michael has over 30 years of experience addressing questions, issues, administrative proceedings, rulemaking, regulations, and legal proceedings involving:

Horizontal and vertical drilling, including:
- Compulsory pooling
- Well spacing and non-standard locations
- Downhole and Surface Commingling
- Unitization and Communitization
- Drilling in the Potash Area
Secondary and Tertiary recovery projects involving water and carbon dioxide
Produced gas and carbon dioxide sequestration injection projects
Oil and gas releases
Disposal of oilfield waste
Use and storage of produced water
Venting and Flaring prohibitions
Notices of Violations and Administrative penalty issues
Oil and gas property taxes
Oil and gas severance taxes
New Mexico property tax and gross receipts tax obligations

News

August 15, 2024
249 Holland & Hart Lawyers Named to 2025 Best Lawyers
June 6, 2024
Holland & Hart Receives 105 Individual and 43 Practice Rankings in Chambers USA 2024
August 17, 2023
255 Holland & Hart Lawyers Named to 2024 Best Lawyers
June 1, 2023
Holland & Hart Receives 108 Individual and 40 Practice Rankings in Chambers USA 2023
August 18, 2022
250 Holland & Hart Lawyers Named to 2023 Best Lawyers®
June 1, 2022
Holland & Hart Receives 107 Individual and 39 Practice Rankings in Chambers USA 2022
August 19, 2021
235 Holland & Hart Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers®
May 20, 2021
Holland & Hart Attorneys and Practices Ranked in 2021 Chambers USA
August 20, 2020
Holland & Hart Attorneys Named to 2021 Best Lawyers®

Publications

November 6, 2023
New Mexico Environment Department Seeks Comments on Proposed Produced Water Rules That Limit Nearly All Re-Use Oil and Gas Legal Update

Professional and Civic Affiliations

State Bar of New Mexico, Member
First Judicial District and American Bar Associations, Member
New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, Member
The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Member

Recognition

The Best Lawyers in America^® Lawyer of the Year, Oil & Gas Law – Santa Fe, 2017, 2021, 2024; Natural Resources Law – Santa Fe, 2023
The Best Lawyers in America^® Natural Resources Law; Oil & Gas Law, 2013-2025
Chambers USA, Environment, Natural Resources, & Regulated Industries, 2013, 2015-2020; Natural Resources & Environment, 2022-2024
Southwest Super Lawyers^®, Energy and Natural Resources, 2008-2009, 2013-2014, 2019-2020

Environmental State and Local Tax Environmental Litigation Tax

Energy and Resources Oil and Gas Oil and Gas Regulatory

Washington University in St. Louis
J.D., 1990

Benedictine College
B.A., 1986

New Mexico

Practice Areas

Industries

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