Upstream Oil & Gas Attorney

Exxon Mobil; Spring (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Plan

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans

Workplace Flexibility

Employee Health Advisory Program

Disability Plan

Job summary

Exxon Mobil is looking for a highly experienced Upstream Oil and Gas Lawyer to join our legal team in Houston, Texas. This individual will provide strategic legal counsel related to upstream oil and gas matters, draft and negotiate various agreements, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate should hold a J.D., possess strong knowledge of oil and gas law, and demonstrate strategic thinking and high ethical standards.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Strong college and law school record (top 1/3 of class preferred).
• License to practice law in at least one state (Texas preferred).
• Strong knowledge of oil & gas law, property law, and mineral rights.
• Demonstrated experience providing operational legal support to an upstream oil and gas business.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, draft and negotiate oil and gas agreements.
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance for upstream operations.
• Stay updated on legal developments affecting upstream operations.
• Provide legal advice on exploration, production, operation and sales activities.

Skills

Oil & gas law

Regulatory compliance

Contract negotiation

Multi-jurisdictional law

Strong written communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

J.D. from an accredited law school

Job description

Location

Houston, Texas

What role you will play on our team

We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated Upstream Oil and Gas Lawyer to join our legal team. This role involves providing strategic legal counsel across a wide range of upstream oil and gas matters, including exploration, production, transportation, and sales. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in real property law, regulatory compliance, contract negotiation, and multi‑jurisdictional legal frameworks, particularly federal and tribal and in states including, but not limited to Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma, New Mexico, North Dakota, Louisiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Wyoming.

What you will do

• Analyze, draft and negotiate a wide range of oil and gas agreements, including leases, joint operating agreements, farmouts, surface use agreements, division orders, purchase and sale agreements, and midstream contracts.
• Advise clients on regulatory compliance related to exploration, production, and transportation in the upstream oil and gas business organization.
• Stay current with federal, state, and local legal developments affecting upstream operations, including regulations promulgated by FERC, BLM, EPA & Texas RRC.
• Provide legal advice on exploration, production, operation and sales activities.
• Advise on federal, state and private royalty obligations and payments, including interpreting leases and applicable laws and regulations and supporting the resolution of royalty disputes.
• Provide legal advice on federal and state advocacy for legislation and rulemaking.
• Support resolution of disputes with other owners and vendors.
• Promote a culture of integrity and ethical behavior across the organization.

About you

Skills and Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Strong college and law school record (top 1/3 of class preferred).
• License to practice law in at least one state (Texas preferred).
• Strong knowledge of oil & gas law, property law, and mineral rights.
• Demonstrated experience in providing commercial and operational legal support to an upstream oil and gas business unit.
• Relevant experience in a corporate, law firm or government agency setting handling oil and gas regulatory issues, negotiating oil and gas agreements, real property work, sales, and royalty obligations.
• Strategic thinker with sound judgment and the ability to manage risk in a complex, global environment.
• Proven ability to advise senior leadership on sensitive, high‑impact matters.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate within a diverse, global team.
• Client‑focused approach to risk‑management and problem‑solving.
• Willingness to travel domestically as needed.

Preferred Qualifications/ Experience

• At least 7 years legal experience preferred.
• Experience supporting an upstream energy company or business unit is preferred.
• Experience with title opinions and oil & gas contract negotiations is preferred.

Your benefits

An ExxonMobil career is one designed to last. Our commitment to you runs deep: our employees grow personally and professionally, with benefits built on our core categories of health, security, finance, and life.

We offer you:

• Pension Plan: Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you. The basic benefit is a monthly annuity to be paid to you in retirement for the rest of your life.
• Savings Plan: You can contribute between 6% and 20% of your pay and are encouraged to enroll right away. If you contribute at least 6% to your savings plan, the Company will contribute a 7% match.
• Workplace Flexibility: We have several programs such as “Flex your Day”, providing ad‑hoc flexibility around when and where you work, as well as longer‑term programs such as leaves of absence and part‑time work.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Culture of Health: Programs and resources to support your wellbeing.
• Employee Health Advisory Program: Provides confidential professional counseling for you and your family, including tools and resources promoting mental health and resiliency at no additional cost to you.
• Disability Plan: Income replacement for when you cannot work due to illness or injury occurring on or off the job. Enrollment is automatic and at no cost to you.

More information on our company’s benefits can be found at www.exxonmobilfamily.com.

Please note benefits may be changed from time to time without notice, subject to applicable law.

ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or physical or mental disability.