Monica Hwang

Partner

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Monica Hwang counsels clients on energy-related project development matters, including joint ventures and complex commercial transactions. She has extensive experience working on liquefied natural gas import and export projects, handling the structuring for equity lifting; implementing tolling and sales models; and advising on gas supply and marketing arrangements. Among her vast industry experience is serving an integral role in the development of Freeport LNG—at the time, the largest non-recourse project financing in history—as well a consortium of investors into the Dominican Republic LNG import terminal, for which the joint venture won Latin American Finance Project of the Year.

Monica also advises on midstream and downstream project and commercial matters, including gas and crude oil/refined product terminalling.

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Languages

  • Mandarin Chinese
  • Taiwanese

Honors & Awards

  • Recognized by Chambers USA in the category of Projects: LNG (2022-2023)
  • Ranked by Chambers Global for Projects: LNG (2023)
  • Recognized by Chambers Global as an “Up and Coming” lawyer for Projects: LNG (2022)
  • Recognized as a “Key Lawyer” for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas, The Legal 500 US (2021)
  • Recognized as a “Highly Regarded” Lawyer for Oil and Gas, IFLR1000
  • Burton Award for Excellence in Legal Writing (2014) for “Overview of Issues Common to Structuring, Negotiating and Documenting LNG Projects,” Journal of
    World Energy Law & Business
    (October 2013)

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Texas

Education

  • University of Houston, J.D.
  • The University of Texas at Austin, B.B.A.: cum laude

Professional Activities

Speaker or Panelist

  • “2023 Natural Gas Development: Policy and Legal Considerations,” International Law Institute (June 15, 2023)
  • “Contracting & Risk Management on Major LNG Projects,” LNG Export Engineering & Construction Conference (May 31, 2023)
  • “Gas in the Energy Transition,” AIEN Seminar at NAPE (January 31, 2023)
  • “Trends for a Third Wave of US LNG Projects,” Bank of America Securities 2021 Global Energy Conference (November 18, 2021)
  • “Force Majeure in LNG,” hosted by a financial institution for its investor clients (April 2020)
  • “U.S. Hydrocarbon Exports: A Legal and Practical View.” 6th Midstream Oil & Gas Law Conference, The Center for American and International Law (December 11, 2019)
  • “LNG Project Development,” International Oil & Gas Law, Contracts, and Negotiations Conference, Institute for Energy Law (October 3, 2019)
  • Presiding Officer, 18th Annual Gas and Power Institute, The University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education (September 26, 2019)
  • “Updates on LNG Contracting,” Bank of America Merrill Lynch LNG Conference (March 2019)
  • “LNG Contracting Structures,” 17th Annual Gas and Power Institute, The University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education (September 20, 2018)
  • “Structuring LNG Tolling Agreements: Negotiating Fee Structure and Payment, Lifting Terms, Liability, and Other Key Provisions,” Strafford Publications Inc. Webinar (May 16, 2017)
  • “LNG Development & Pitfalls on the Regulatory Side,” Houston Marine Insurance Seminar (September 2014)

Publications

  • “Liquefied Natural Gas Outlook: Industry Under Pressure,” Law360 (March 8, 2023)

Member

  • Oil and Gas Specialist, Thomson Reuters Corporate and M&A Advisory Board

Liquefied Natural Gas

  • Representing a small-scale project developer in the negotiation of various LNG import projects in Latin America
  • Represented shareholder investing in the $1 billion Gatun power plant in Panama, including negotiations of complex LNG import terminal use arrangements
  • Advised a shipping company on an LNG bunkering arrangements for its new-build vessels
  • Advised two LNG projects under development in western Canada
  • Advised NextDecade on its LNG marketing efforts, including the drafting of the announced 2 MTPA sales agreement with Shell
  • Represented Mozambique in the drafting and negotiation of LNG sales agreements with buyers, including the announced innovative 2.6 MTPA agreement with Tokyo Gas and Centrica
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Events

In the News

The Hill: Why Texas is the Canary in the Crypto Mine

July 24, 2023

Law360: Liquefied Natural Gas Outlook: Industry Under Pressure

March 8, 2023

The Texas Lawbook: O’Melveny Picks Up Gray Reed Practice Group Leader

July 25, 2022

The Deal: Movers & Shakers: O’Melveny Lures Three From Willkie in Houston

May 2, 2022

Law360: O’Melveny Launches Houston Office With 3 Ex-Willkie Attys

May 2, 2022

Reuters: O’Melveny Opens Third Texas Office in a Year With Houston Addition

May 2, 2022

The Texas Lawbook: O’Melveny Jolts Texas Growth With LNG Expert From K&S

November 18, 2021

Texas Lawyer: Building an Energy Team in Texas, O’Melveny Adds King & Spalding Partner With LNG Experience

November 18, 2021

Law360: O’Melveny Nabs Energy Dealmaker From King & Spalding

November 18, 2021

The Deal: Movers & Shakers: O’Melveny Adds To Texas Practice, Latham Bulks Up In Boston

November 18, 2021

Bloomberg Law: O’Melveny Adds Energy Dealmaker to Firm’s New Texas Offices

November 17, 2021

Reuters: O’Melveny & Myers LLP Adds Energy Dealmaker Amid Firm’s Texas Growth

November 17, 2021

Alerts and Publications

Press Releases

O’Melveny Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2023

June 1, 2023

Chambers Global Recognizes 29 O'Melveny Lawyers and 13 Practice Groups

March 2, 2023

O’Melveny Welcomes Acclaimed Energy Lawyer Ryan Sears in Dallas

July 25, 2022

O’Melveny Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2022

June 8, 2022

O’Melveny Continues March into Texas, Opening Houston Office and Adding Three Top Dealmakers

May 2, 2022

Chambers Global Recognizes 29 O’Melveny Lawyers and 11 Practice Groups

February 25, 2022

O’Melveny Adds Distinguished Five-Partner Corporate, Tax Team in Dallas

January 19, 2022

O’Melveny Furthers Texas Expansion with Arrival of “Rising Star” Trial Lawyer Kristin Cope in Dallas

December 7, 2021

O’Melveny Continues Texas Expansion with Addition of Renowned Energy Sector Dealmaker

November 17, 2021