Christopher H. Killion

Overview

Chris Killion’s practice focuses on oil, gas, and mineral development, including issuing drilling, division order, and acquisition title opinions for oil and gas companies for properties in New Mexico and Texas, as well as representing those companies before regulatory bodies. Chris helps clients comply with state and federal regulations related to mineral development and represents clients in transactions involving purchase and sale of mineral rights.

An Alabama native, Chris is licensed in New Mexico, Texas, and Alabama. After graduating magna cum laude from Cumberland Law School and serving as a Law Clerk to U.S. District Judge J. Foy Guin of the Northern District of Alabama, Chris practiced law with the Birmingham firm of Lange, Simpson, Robinson & Somerville. He then spent many years as a private businessman before moving to the Permian Basin to perform courthouse research as a petroleum landman. Chris returned to law practice with The Shores Law Firm of Texas where he wrote title opinions for several large clients.

Chris is known for his commitment to continuous study and his careful attention to detail. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Energy Law, Environmental Law, and Natural Resources Law.

Experience

• Prepare original and supplemental drilling and division order title opinions as well as acquisition title opinions primarily for oil and gas developers in New Mexico and Texas
• Represent oil and gas companies in connection with the acquisition and divestiture of producing and non-producing oil and gas assets
• Represent oil and gas companies before the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division in proceedings to pool oil and gas interests and other regulatory matters
• Draft and review purchase and sale agreements, joint operating agreements, pooling and unitization agreements, deeds, assignments, and other agreements related to exploration and development of oil and gas and other resources
• Draft instruments to cure defects in title to oil and gas interests
• Research and advise clients on various issues associated with the exploration and development of oil and gas
• Research producing well information, acreage held by production, proration units and formations as found on the Texas Railroad Commission and New Mexico OCD websites and filed by operators.
• Research and organize stand-up title opinions by searching records at courthouse, abstract company, and county tax office in the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico

Activities

• Midland County Bar Association, 2017-present
• Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (f/k/a) Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, 2016-present
• Permian Basin Landmen’s Association, 2015-present
• State Bar of New Mexico, 2014-present
• State Bar of Texas, 2014-present
• American Association of Professional Landmen, RPL, 2014-present
• Young Presidents’ Organization, 1992-present
• Board of Southeastern and National Insulation Associations, 1990-1993
• Alabama State Bar, 1978-present

News & Articles

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America^® in Energy Law, Environmental Law, and Natural Resources Law, 2023-present