Senior Counsel - Upstream Services

Pye Legal Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Pye Legal Group is seeking a Senior Counsel to shape contracts and commercial strategies for onshore exploration and production across Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. You will partner with business teams, providing practical, commercial guidance on drilling, oilfield services, construction, and procurement agreements.

You will advise internal clients on contract interpretation and disputes, support procurement policy compliance, and influence contracting strategy through research of legal

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from ABA-accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Texas or another US state.
• Six+ years as a licensed attorney.
• Four+ years in oil and gas industry.
• Experience handling onshore procurement agreements.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, interpret, and advise on drilling, oilfield services, construction, and procurement agreements.
• Support onshore exploration, production, and operations in TX, NM, CO.
• Advise internal clients on commercial matters, including contract interpretations and disputes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholder groups to ensure procurement contract compliance.
• Research legal issues related to operations and advise on contracting strategy.
• Provide proactive, commercial guidance to various business units.

Skills

Contract negotiation

Contract drafting

Legal analysis

Client advisory

Cross-functional collaboration

Time management

Communication

Education

Juris Doctorate (ABA-accredited)

Licensed to practice law in TX or another US state

Job description

Help shape the contracts and commercial strategies that support onshore exploration, production, and operations across Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. We are recruiting a Senior Counsel for the Exploration & Production Services group of a Fortune 200 company that has been our client for a decade. In this role, you will partner closely with business teams and provide practical, commercial-minded guidance on agreements and legal issues central to the company’s operations.

Why this opportunity matters:

• Provide legal guidance on the agreements that enable critical drilling, oilfield services, construction, procurement, and operational activities.
• Work directly with a range of internal stakeholders, including Risk Management, Credit, HSE, Regulatory, and Audit.
• Influence contracting strategy by researching legal issues affecting the company’s onshore goods and services.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business units on complex commercial matters, contract interpretation, and contractor disputes.
• Join a Legal Department that recognizes its people as its greatest asset.

What you will do:

• Draft, negotiate, interpret, and advise clients on drilling, oilfield services, construction, and procurement agreements.
• Support onshore exploration, production, and operations activities in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
• Advise internal clients on commercial matters, including contract interpretations and contractor disputes.
• Partner with internal stakeholder groups to support compliance with company policies and procedures in relevant procurement contracts.
• Research legal issues related to company operations and assess their impact on contracting strategy.
• Provide proactive, commercial-minded advice and guidance to a variety of business units.

Must-Have Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• License to practice law in the State of Texas or another US state.
• Six or more years as a licensed attorney.
• Four or more years of experience in the oil and gas industry.
• Extensive experience handling onshore procurement agreements, including drilling, master service, and construction contracts.
• Ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a collaborative work style.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience handling services agreements and/or procurement for an oilfield services company or an E&P company.