Energy Contract Lawsuits Expected to Jump in Harvey’s Wake
Lawyers expect a spate of force majeure contract lawsuits after Hurricane Harvey tore through Southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana last month, paralyzing a fifth of U.S. fuel output and pushing some oil production offline, Reuters reports.
“Many chemical and refinery plants along the U.S. Gulf Coast have already restarted operations or are beginning to ramp up after damage by Harvey,” writes Bryan Sims. “Once they do, customers may insist on reviewing contractual terms with their energy industry suppliers for the product they did not receive while plants were shuttered.”
He quotes Jessica Crutcher, an attorney for Houston law firm Mayer Brown:
“Every force majeure clause is different, especially when you’re dealing with heavily negotiated contracts in the energy sector.”