A dip in global commodities prices over the past few years has wreaked havoc on the oil and natural gas industry, as U.S. bankruptcy courts in Texas and elsewhere have become increasingly crowded with energy companies seeking Chapter 11 protection.
But some big-firm lawyers are hoping that economic stresses will bring about transactional opportunities for consolidation, as noted this week by sibling publication Texas Lawyer. At a Baker & McKenzie-sponsored oil and gas seminar this month, participants spoke of increased interest by private equity firms in raising bids for energy assets as global oil prices begin to stabilize after years of free fall.
