OUR ATTORNEYS

Sabina D. Walia

Sabina D. Walia
Sabina D. Walia

Partner

Partner
P: (713) 338-3155
F: (713) 357-6775
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Sabina’s principal areas of practice are natural gas and liquids infrastructure projects, midstream transactions, and regulatory litigation falling under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Sabina advises clients regarding regulatory issues and compliance with FERC regulations, including regulatory requirements for developing natural gas and liquids pipelines; negotiating service agreements on natural gas and liquids pipelines and other midstream facilities, such as gas gathering and processing facilities; obtaining authorizations for constructing new pipeline and storage facilities or abandoning existing facilities; rate regulation of natural gas pipelines and storage companies; tariff filings and general regulatory compliance; and creating regulatory compliance and internal audit programs for regulated pipelines. Sabina also provides advice to clients regarding pipelines subject to the jurisdiction of the Railroad Commission of Texas and intrastate pipelines offering Section 311 service.

Representative Experience

Natural Gas Pipelines and Storage

  • Represented major natural gas pipeline clients in proceedings before FERC to obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity to construct or modify natural gas pipeline and storage facilities, including greenfield and expansion projects
  • Assisted with the preparation, filing, and prosecution of requests for abandonment authorization at FERC for major interstate natural gas pipelines located in the northeast United States and offshore
  • Assisted with the representation of major natural gas pipeline companies in rate case proceedings before the FERC
  • Negotiated precedent agreements on behalf of a major greenfield pipeline under development in the Northeast
  • Negotiated intrastate transportation agreements on behalf of an international company with domestic end-use supply needs
  • Negotiated midstream agreements, including gathering and processing agreements, on behalf of producers
  • Assisted with the representation of an interstate natural gas pipeline in defending an NGA Section 5 rate investigation at FERC
  • Represented participants in LNG projects with respect to transportation and supply contracts and jurisdictional treatment at FERC
  • Advised numerous clients in sales and acquisitions of natural gas production assets regarding regulatory issues, including obtaining FERC approvals for the assignment of transportation agreements
  • Assisted with the representation of a cross-border pipeline in Texas to obtain NGA Section 3 authorization
  • Assisted with the preparation, filing, and prosecution of requests for market-based rate authorization from the FERC for an interstate natural gas storage company
  • Assisted with the representation of major interstate natural gas pipelines located in the northeast and southeast United States in connection with obtaining regulatory approvals from FERC for negotiated rate agreements with customers
  • Assisted with the representation of major interstate natural gas pipelines located in the northeast and southeast United States in connection with obtaining approvals from FERC of nonconforming service agreements for a number of natural gas pipeline companies
  • Assisted with the representation of major natural gas pipelines during a FERC investigation and audit
  • Assisted with the drafting and implementation of internal compliance manuals for interstate natural gas pipelines

Liquids Pipelines

  • Represented a developer of an interstate crude oil pipeline in the Midwest regarding FERC rate and tariff requirements for new pipelines, and obtained a declaratory order from FERC regarding shipper commitments and the open season
  • Advised a producer in the Rocky Mountain region in negotiating marketing arrangements for natural gas liquids
  • Negotiated crude oil purchase agreements on behalf of refining company
  • Advised numerous clients in sales and acquisitions of oil and gas production assets regarding regulatory issues, including obtaining FERC approvals for the assignment of transportation agreements
  • Assisted with the drafting and implementation of an internal compliance manual for interstate liquids pipeline
  • Assisted with the representation of crude oil and refined petroleum products pipelines in contested rate proceedings at FERC with respect to pipeline rates and terms and conditions of service

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Education and Professional Background
  • Prior to joining Caldwell Boudreaux Lefler PLLC, Sabina was a member of Vinson & Elkins LLP’s Energy Regulatory team for more than a decade.
  • Georgetown Law, J.D., 2005 (Notes and Comments Editor, The Tax Lawyer)
  • Rice University, B.A., Psychology, 2002
  • Admitted to practice: Texas; U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; Supreme Court of the U.S.
Professional Recognition
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers | Lawdragon (2023)
  • Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney’s) Expert Guide to Women in Business Law, 2021 (Energy and Natural Resources)
  • Recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2018 & 2019 editorial (Energy regulatory ‐ oil and gas)
  • Legal Media Group’s (Euromoney’s) Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers, Rising Star USA 2018 (Energy and Natural Resources)
Activities and Affiliations
  • Member: Energy Bar Association
Publications and Presentations
  • Navigating Midstream Regulation at the Federal and State Level,” Institute for Energy Law, Young Energy Professionals Workshop: The Midstream Sessions, January 2023 (co-presenter)
  • “Regulatory Considerations Around the Development of Renewable Gas, Hydrogen, and CO2 Pipeline Projects,” CLE Presentation, American Gas Association – FERC Regulatory Committee Meeting, September 2021
  • “FERC Natural Gas Pipeline Regulation,” CLE Presentation, July 2021
  • “Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Section 7 Certificate Process,” CLE Presentation, August 2017 (co-presenter)
  • “Oil and Gas Regulation,” CLE Presentation, January 2017 (co-presenter)
  • “FERC Audit and Enforcement,” CLE Presentation, Energy Bar Association (Houston Chapter), April 2015 (co-presenter)
  • “Regulatory Climate Facing the Midstream and Downstream Sectors,” CLE Presentation, November 2013 (co-presenter)