Steven Sparling, who chairs Sutherland’s Global LNG Team and is a member of Sutherland’s Energy and Environmental Practice Group, brings a wealth of know-how and industry experience to these practice areas.
His legal insights, combined with a thorough understanding of the LNG landscape, have given him a broad perspective that informs his counsel. He has a comprehensive understanding of the global LNG industry—legal, operational and commercial. He writes and speaks frequently on these matters and contributes to Sutherland’s blog on
LNG.
Steven’s efforts on behalf of clients have helped optimize shipping and terminal operations in Europe, Asia and throughout North America. He works proactively to advise on risk management and liability issues, safety and oil spill preparedness, as well compliance matters involving U.S. anti-boycott laws, sanctions programs, customs, trade classifications and Jones Act requirements.
Prior to practicing law, Steven served as an officer in the U.S. Navy aboard the
USS Barry (DDG 52).
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE Steven has served as counsel in a variety of energy-related matters:
LNG Strategy
- Developing LNG strategy options for major concerns.
- Analyzing and advising major concerns on the viability of LNG projects in the Americas, Europe and Asia.
Project Development
- Counseling major concerns on the development of onshore and offshore LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal projects, including site assessments, waterway suitability, environmental issues and regulatory processes.
- Counseling major companies on LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal safety, security and operations.
- Developing LNG stakeholder engagement strategies for major concerns.
- Advising project developers on regasification terminal services agreements.
Terminal Access
- Negotiating and drafting terminal use and throughput agreements for major European and North American LNG terminals for major concerns.
- Advising major concerns on interruptible and third-party access to LNG terminals in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
- Counseling major concerns on rights and obligations under governing regulations, contracts, settlements and terminal procedures.
Multiple Shipper
- Analyzing and modeling multiple-user terminal operations for major concerns.
- Negotiating and implementing complex intershipper agreements that address LNG vessel schedules, inventory management, and storage and send-out coordination.
- Developing multiple-shipper vessel scheduling procedures.
Marine
- Negotiating and drafting tug services and cost-sharing agreements.
- Drafting customer operations manuals at LNG terminals.
- Advising major concerns on the coordination of shipping schedules and operations at Asian, European and North American LNG terminals.
- Drafting emergency response plans for LNG incidents and bunker fuel spills.
- Counseling major concerns about LNG lightering and barging.
Supply Contracts
- Negotiating and drafting master, long-term and short-term LNG sales and purchase agreements.
Safety and Security
- Advising a New England governor and state agencies concerning LNG issues, including state emergency response plans, consequence assessments, FERC proceedings, and U.S. Coast Guard evaluation of safety and security.
- Representing LNG terminal stakeholders in U.S. Coast Guard procedures to develop safety and security plans for various U.S. LNG terminals.
PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Member, World LNG International Steering Committee
- Member, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
- Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers
RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Co-author, “Marine CNG Opens Alternate Production, Delivery Options,” Oil & Gas Journal (February 23, 2009)
- Author, “LNG Firms Struggle With Investments in Volatile Market,” Oil & Gas Journal (December 18, 2008)
- Co-author, “Successful European Terminal Projects Must Run Regulatory, Commercial Gauntlets,” LNG Observer (April/June 2007)
- Co-author, “Criteria Regs Reduce NIMBY Safety Fears,” Oil & Gas Journal (September 11, 2006)
- Co-author, “Formal Agreements Needed for Best Use of Multi-Shipper Terminal,” LNG Observer (July 2006)
- Author, “US Coast Guard Redefines LNG Terminal Permitting Process,” LNG Observer (January 2006)
- Co-author, “Sandia LNG Study Changes Landscape for Terminal Siting,” LNG Observer (April–June 2005)
- Co-author, “Security Lessons From Narragansett,” Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (March 2005)
- Co-author, “FERC Works Toward LNG Safety for US Ports,” LNG Observer (September 20, 2004)
- Co-author, “Needer: More Natural Gas,” Legal Times (August 16, 2004)
- Co-author, “Risk Analysis,” Gas Shipping & Storage, Steering Discussion, Hazardous Cargo Bulletin (March 2004)
- Speaker, “Floating LNG: Commercial and Technical Drivers for Liquefaction and Regas Projects,” 12th Annual World LNG Summit (November 14-17, 2011)
- Speaker, “New Directions in Liquefaction, from the LNG ‘Hub’ to Offshore Liquefaction,” 2011 Offshore Asia Conference (March 29-31, 2011)
- Speaker, “Multiple User LNG Terminal Insights” CWC World LNG Summit (November 29-December 2, 2010)
- Chair, “Global LNG Suppliers Speak Out: Last Resort or Saving Grace? - Supply to the Americas Panel,” and Speaker, “Commercial and Operational Challenges of Floating Liquefaction and LNG Regasification Workshop,” LNG Americas Summit (March 16-18, 2010)
- Speaker, CWC LNG Conference, Barcelona (December 1–3, 2009)
- Speaker, CWC LNG Conference, New Orleans (April 27–29, 2009)
- Speaker, “Multi User Regasification Terminals: Factoring Capacity Abundance & Optionality,” and “New and Emerging Buyers - What Are the Obstacles to New Entrants?” 9th Annual World LNG Summit (December 9-12, 2008)
- Speaker, CWC LNG Conference, San Antonio (April 21–23 2008)
- Speaker, 5th Annual Law of LNG Conference (September 4–5, 2008)
- Speaker, 8th Annual World LNG Summit (December 3–6, 2007)
- Speaker, 27th USAEE/IAEE North American Conference (September 16–9, 2007)
- Speaker, 2007 Offshore Technology Conference (April 30–May 3, 2007)
- Speaker, CWC LNG San Antonio 2007 (March 7–9, 2007)
- Speaker, Natural Gas Quality, Odorization, Energy Measurement, and Interchangeability Conference and Exhibition (July 11-12, 2006)
- Speaker, 30th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (May 11-13, 2006)
- Panelist, “Safety, Security and Liability Issues,” 2nd Annual Global LNG Outlook Conference (October 26-27, 2005)
