Biography: Oil and Gas

Philippe Auzas is a founding partner of Grand, Auzas & Associés. His experience, intially as a general counsel, in the United States and in France, has centred in large part on the oil and gas industry.

Prior to establising a private practice, Philippe was based in Denver, Colorado (1972 to 1986), working as controller and then manager of non-exclusive surveys for a major geophysical contractor.

In private practice since 1991, Philippe has also acquired significant experience representing foreign companies investing in France and particularly understanding the requirements of US industrial companies investing in France. He works with a team of associates trained in cross- cultural legal issues. Legal activities range from representation of French and foreign independent oil and gas companies (negotiation of joint operating agreements, application for exploration permits in France and abroad, acquisition and divestments of oil and gas interests, legal audits, legal opinions, negotiation with partners and operators in joint operating agreements, negotiation with upstream sub-contractors (FPSO agreement) to assistance in the negotiation of international investments and contracts in the United States, western Europe and Africa.

Philippe Auzas is registered with the Paris Bar. He is member of the Institut Français d'Experts Juridiques Internationaux (French Institute of International Legal Experts: www.ifeji.org/), of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN) (www.aipn.org/) and of the American Chamber of Commerce in France. He lectures regularly at Paris Pantheon-Assas Law School in contract law and in international oil and gas seminars and the Colorado School of Mines (Golden, Colorado).